1st year of Tuna Season

whaler21 · 06-25-2002, 09:23 PM

Last year I went out on a charter boat out of Newport for tuna. It was my first time ever fishing for tuna. I really enjoyed being out on the big blue, but having to share a pole and only catching 1 fish per person, I decided I'd never do that again. After 3 1/2 hours of running out and 3 1/2 hours back, I figured I'd buy a big enough boat for going out for tuna myself and probably cut my time in half on most of the trips. This will be my first year of tuna fishing by myself and I would like to know where I could buy hand lines for tuna to run off the back of my boat. I bought a 1996 21' Boston Whaler Outrage with a 225 hp Johnson Ocean runner. I then mounted a 25 horse Honda kicker w/electric start and remote steering on it. I want to fish 4 poles and two handlines out the back for tuna. Is this the way I should rig my boat up or is this too many lines in the water? Should I learn to get good at gaffing these babies or should I try netting them? I could only imagine how much damage they could do to a net if they had a couple of treble hooks coming out there mouth. Does Fisherman's carry handlines and gear for tuna? If not there, where? Any information would be appreciated. Do any of you ever go out in groups or run with another boat just for safety? Thanks in advance.

Pilar · 06-25-2002, 10:16 PM

I have yet to see any rigged tuna cords for sale. I would be willing to show and tell how to make your own. Most of the ingredients can be had at Fishermans Marine, Englunds, or even (no *****!) Garibaldi Bait and tackle. That's the gas station/tackle shop in Garibaldi.

You will need ... Ok remember .. self taught and I don't care how they do it in California. This ain't California :grin: ...

~Tuna Cord. 400 lb test. Blue, braided line in 400 ft on a spool.
~Mono leader, Big Game or Momoi, 200# test.
~(4) Truck bungee cords.
~(4) Corkscrew swivels.

Basically you make 4 rigs with this parts list. I run 2 cords and 2 or 3 standup rigs. With the heavy leaders and gloves, a gaff is unnecessary. Just grab the leader and swing them into the boat. They will plunge right through a net with effortless grace.

Cut the tuna cord into 4 sections. On one end, tie a surgeons loop for the cleat on the boat. About 3 feet down the line tie in the first end of the bungee cord. Give about 30" to 36" of slack and tie on the other end of the bungee cord. There are special knots for the bungee cord that I learned by dissecting one of 'Puffin's' setups. I can show you how to tie them.

Using simple overhand knots, knot the cord every 18" to the end. Tie on the corkscrew swivel using a tuffline knot. Burn the raw ends to prevent fray. The knots give you some grip and produce a killer bubble trail when you drag your gear.

I set the handlines on the corners of the boat and the length is fixed at 100 feet back. Set these lines first. Run a standup rod at each corner of the boat. Turn towards the side you are setting until the jig clears the handline jig. Go out about 150 feet back. Set the last standup rod in the middle and furthest back at maybe 200 feet.

The rods are obvious on a strike. The handlines will stretch the bungee to the length of the slack on it. So you will notice a strained handline if it gets hit.

Ask away, there are no dumb questions. I'll try to digitize some photos of how to when I get off the road show for work.

whaler21 · 06-26-2002, 05:58 AM

Thank you for the reply. I'll pick up my supplies next weekend when I get the chance. I'd sure appreciate those pictures when you get a chance. Thanks again.

MintBrite · 06-26-2002, 06:25 AM

I was out on a charter several years ago using hand lines and I'm pretty sure I know how to set those up as decribed. I'm wondering about the stand up poles? Do you use the 200lb. mono for leader or just tie right to your main line? I would think that those big eyes would be wary of Tuff line. Hope to see you out there after I have my B-O-A-T ready for the big water again.

tailchaser · 06-26-2002, 06:35 AM

You don't need the 200# test on the rods. The reason for the big stuff is there isn't any drag to help out on the strike. 80-100# mono leader works very well on rods. I can't say we've had problems running tuf line since you have a 5' leader. We've boated 106 fish in a day so no worries about that.

tc

Tinman · 06-26-2002, 08:23 AM

Handlines are peculiar to Oregon, and the rest of the sportfishing world uses rod an reel for albacore. Rod and reel is much more fun, and I would suggest trolling with fairly light line, say 30#.

seasquid · 06-26-2002, 08:54 AM

Ganzerman,

Welcome to the tuna world. Everybody has given you great suggestions and tips -- most certainly follow them. It sounds like you have a very seaworthy boat, congratulations. It's really a blast when you can get two or three other boats to run with you -- safety in numbers, plus you can all troll different directions until somebody finds a school.

No question rods are better than handlines. I put out a couple of handlines just so I can get out more lines in general. I don't think anybody has added about including planers/divers on the handlines. I would think the charter you went on used them, but maybe not. They are expensive little things ($25-30), but they are kind of fun. They dive under the surface and when a fish nails your jig, they flip and shoot up to the surface -- you can't miss a bright orange board flying on the surface when a fish is on. Englund Marine, and I'm sure a few other places, have the boards.

good luck.

ss