8/26 Westport tuna report with pics

Hamachi · 08-27-2002, 10:26 AM

Got up at 02:00 and cranked up the computer to chek the latest SST -

I figured about a 240 degree heading.

After a 2 hour drive, I was surprised to see that I was the only one launching - especially with the perfect wx forecast.

I picked up about a scoop and a half of beautiful 'chovies from Westport Seafoods for $20 and headed out. Never having launched out of Westport, I had one eye on the chart and the other on the radar while I picked my way out and over the bar in zero vis fog.

Fog lifted at about 10 miles to reveal beautiful weather and seas. At about 30 miles, temp started to climb quickly and water cleaned up. I had passed several charters and jig boats on the way out so I figured I was heading in the right direction.

Started trolling when I hit 60 degrees. Lots of life in the area with birds and a few solo jumping tuna. The charters where getting stopped every now and then, but I couldn't get bit. Tried trolling circles around jumpers while chumming 'chovies with no luck or boils.

The water temp kept climbing. At 38 miles it hit 64.6.

After 3 hours of nothing, I finally saw some jumping fish. I slid up on them and threw out a small scoop of bait. The fish came up off the corner going nuts. I was hit instantly as soon as the bait hit the water. As soon as I gaffed the fish aboard and cut the gills, I grabbed another rod as was bit instantly. I started throwing 40lb at them, which they eagerly accepted. It didn't take much chum to keep them around the boat when I didn't have a hooked fish in the water. I hooked and landed 8 fish in rapid succession over about 25 minutes. The last two I jacked aboard on the 40lb., with the last one coming unbuttoned and landing in the splashwell. It wasn't too beat up and I had plenty of fish so I kicked it out.

By that time my arm was dead and shaking so I called it a day.

Ended up keeping 7 fish. 20-30 lbs. I saw every fish pick up the bait right off the corner. It was as good as it gets.

Heard the charters talking about the flat calm seas. One made the comment that it was the nicest tuna fishing weather he had ever see.

Here's what it looked like on the ride back in:

With no wind and clear skies, the water rose to 67.9. Here's the SST that evening:

Booja 1 · 08-27-2002, 07:54 PM

I agree with Marty Hamachi...Great pics..sounds like you were by yourself..man bet you were wiping the sweat away fighting, gaffing, chumming all by your lonesome..Hey are the fish lying in your bait tank..How many scoops do you hold?? Boy the water got real warm,,maybe that's why you had the gold reel on standby..hoping for a jumbo bluefin or is that just what you troll with...Man they be smoothe...live chovies,,what memories......

Hamachi · 08-27-2002, 08:34 PM

Yeah, I was solo. It gets a little fun when gaffing but I enjoy doing it by myself. I do wish my So. Cal. fishing budy Joel was there to live it with me and help gaff. Would be cool for photos, too.

It got way hot during that short bite... I was sweating my a@@ off!

My bait tank is a custom one my welder friend and I made. I never figured out the capacity. It must hold 60 gallons at full level. I've put as much as 4 scoops in with no problems.

As for the gold, that's what I troll with. No use letting it sit at home.

I've been up here for 2 years enjoying the crabs, salmon, 'buts, trees, people, etc. ... but it was WAY cool to fill the tank with bait and chase some tuna!

I love it here. Don't have to go to Alaska for 'buts, or So. Cal for tuna. And 3lb. black rockfish on the plastic in 30' is awesome! Back home 250' was shallow water rockfishing.

Here's a pic of my skiff to show you my bait tank.

Lured In · 08-27-2002, 09:02 PM

Given I am only an 'armchair salty dog', this has to be one of the best posts I have seen in a year on ifish. Especially considering you were flying solo. Great pics and congrats on a successful day.

Deepslayer · 08-27-2002, 10:16 PM

Great post Hamachi. I can't imagine how your arms must feel after getting 8 fins in 25 minutes. I hope you can move them tomorrow. I love fishing those bottom fish in such shallow water too. I remeber what it was like down south!
,Ed

Marty · 08-27-2002, 11:44 PM

Great pics and what an ocean..........man I think I could live out there if it was that flat all the time. I say a small prayer everynight for someone to provide live bait in Oregon. I was raised in S. Cal. and worked my way thru college on the day boats out of Diego and there is nothin better than live baiting the tuna. I am putting a live bait tank on my boat next year and using the throw net on the chovies in Depoe Bay (at least they are thick this year) for some intense tuna fishing.

Great pics!!

Marty

Hamachi · 08-28-2002, 02:31 PM

Correction to the original post.....
Fish were 17 - 26lbs.

They always look bigger when they're flopping on the deck!

[ 08-28-2002, 03:32 PM: Message edited by: Hamachi ]

TheRogue · 08-28-2002, 07:09 PM

jcarufo · 08-28-2002, 08:20 PM

Great post and pictures. I too grew up in San Diego and worked as a deckhand at Fisherman's Landing and Pt. Loma in the mid to late 60's/Early 70's. There's nothing like fish exploding on hot bait in the corner. We used to take our washdown pump and aim it at the water in the uphand corner to keep the albies turned on......Cheap live bait in Westport huh?
Thanks again for the great post.
Jean