Last Friday Tuna Charter

[will_e_fish]

Sorry for the late report on the Tuna charter out of Depoe Bay. Tradewinds switched boats to a larger 55 ft. probably for good reason. In going out of the bar was OK almost smooth at Depoe bay and then out about a 1/2 hour or so the swells picked up and we started rolling in all directions did not see any other boats. I started talking with others on board most of them not fisher people for sure 1 maybe he got a Chinook the day before on a charter. The waves and swells taking the toll on everyone as the deckhand was really a good guy said they were predicting only 6to 8 foot. The waves cresting with a tiny white cap were every bit of 15 to 18 foot swells, so even the captain had a time keeping the 55 ft boat straight. Looked like some rain squalls off not to far and cold wind in our face. The rest of the crew started to **** over the side everyone did. I thought I would be good as I had nothing but a little coffee and took bonine like dramamine. I did eventually spit up my coffee by smelling diesel fumes from the ever changing wind. We got out to where the deckhand said it was the right temp but did not see any other boats or birds. Deckhand put out 9 poles 2 on out riggers and varying colors and then only 2 hand lines with divers. Those divers are slick similar to salmon divers. By now most of the 7 crew of fishers were asleep or dozing between puking and the deckhand had trouble putting poles togather and keeping lines from tangling form the chop. He said that he had a Billfish on one of the halibut poles and broke it and the line. Several hours go by and no birds and sign of fish so we go more North and then put poles in for a while seeing a few birds and captain reporting a few jumping tuna. Nothing and slow for a couple more hours we see 2 commercial boats that is all. Heading to the 1000 Fathom Temp Curve where the up welling brings baitfish to feed and hopefully the Tuna to feed as well. By now evryone is out and I am watching the deckhand work while the boat is rolling. Crew of fishers napping again in another hour saw a few birds not feeding but resting finally the deckhand realizes my interest and questions said "Ahh so its me and you to take care of the poles". Soon after that we saw a fish steaking to the handline and bam FISH On ! I slide over and start pulling up my first tuna! Netted it so soon and deckhand said 25 to thirty lbs nice fish. Got bit by the candlefish jig! Then some of the guys woke up long enough to look at it. then bakc to trolling and back to sleeping for them. another hour and the guy that caught the nook the day before was sorta awake as a pole went off and it had his interest he took it and reeled in a 25 to 30 lb fish good fight some ohters woke up to see it. The deck hand yelling to jig while he was fighting so it would stimulate bites as I threw out what chumming bait I had and nothing. Another hour and guys were asleep again a pole went off and I fought a little 15 pounder in. A peanut school fish. There is a pattern here guys asleep again after a little lunch and puking. trolling more waves they are asleep again and still haven't found that magic spot. 57 miles out. No flocks of birds not lots of jumping fish. Starting to get old a day long rollacoater ride waves slow down a little. Another handline goes off, fish on! I get it as I see the driver pops up in front of me and another school peanut 15 pounder goes in the box for me. Getting to 4:30 and the crew starts realizing the trip is almost over and deckhand is explaing it is usually not like this. I am sitting in back bench talking with a guy that woke up and a pole goes off I am yelling Fish get that pole and he sorta has to think about it I yell get it get it! He stumbles over to pick up the pole and wow, most of the line is off almost spooled. I yell to the captain fish on stop to fight the fish. We all jig some more while he fights and finally reels it in, after many runs. I wasnt sure if he was gonna get it in. Netted another oh maybe thirty plus and he is happy. We troll a little more and then I help bring in poles and hand lines putting gear away. Deckhand thanks me for the help. We slice through the 10 foot swells and pounded our way back to Depoe Bay where it was sunny on land. Oh gee whiz the deckhand said "Not many fish caught we are dividing the 2 smaller ones for the 4 guys who didnot catch any" I am thinking everyone should have fish. Ok , I had fun pulling them in. Filleting was only 3 bucks. I kept some crab bait and cat food. I tipped the deckhand as I thought he and the captain tried hard to get us more fish. Vacu packed some while I seared up some steaks Ahhhhh putting fresh ginger and wasabi on fresh Tuna. I gotta get more of those Tuna as it turns out Chris from Irsh called and left a message for an opening when I was going fishing right or wrong, was glad he called but sorry about the timming. Off to fish some high moutain lakes of the Pacific Crest for Labor day.

[OceanBlue]

Skein,

:depressed:

[will_e_fish]

Pilars Mate-It was a good thick heavy custom halibut rod built to crank them in and reel to match (Penn senator or saltwater) with a rubber blue & green tuna jig. Deckhand did not get a real good look at it, just identified as a billfish. Broken off about a foot from reel seat. Just hit in the pole holder and broke it without a fight. Captain had many custom rods aboard I felt good that this captain hadhis boat full of poles and tackle. Halibut, salmon, tuna and bottomfish, but probably not for Rod breaking BillFish.
Skein - I was trying to get the best deal with a charter and cure Tuna fever but I think I got it worse after the Fresh taste of Tuna. I want more. Even with a not so good day I would try it again.

[OceanBlue]

Ahhh... see... that's what it is about... the taste of fresh, raw tuna... Mmm... or right off the grill... nothing like a little tuna blood to soothe the soul, eh?

Oh! (shaking the head) I still need more input! What time of day was this billfish bite? How far off shore? Don't have coords, do you? I've gotta find Bill! Er, I mean, my gear... Oh to heck with it! I just need a darned big fish! :grin:

Will_e_help?

[Uglygreen]

When does the the pilar get back?

UG.

PS. (I know he is really fishing but I wont tell anyone...)

[OceanBlue]

Will_e,

Nice report. Not so nice day, huh?

Tell me more about the billfish... how far out were you when you hooked up? Did the deckhand see it? What kind was it? What was the rig it hit? Lure or bait...
???
Any info is greatly appreciated!

[skein]

Thanks for the report, Will_e. That's my big fear with a charter - to get stuck on a boat in a not-so-good situation and watch the day (and my money) disappear. I know there's no guarantee, but I also know they've got bills to pay, so they pack 'em on board and head out even when a knowledgeable sport-fisher wouldn't. And they stay out a long time because they want to give their customers their money's worth.

Pilar's Mate,

My guess is he didn't actually hook that billfish with his halibut rig. I heard he snagged an old yellow pole that was being dragged through the water.... :grin:

Skein

[Pilar]

Hey I'm here. 19.2k in a hotel in the stoney lonely, soon to be frozen for 6 months wastelands of Alberta. Nice to read all of the reports.

Now it's back to work.

Jen.
You have to give up on Bill. He is doomed to follow the bluefin just like Captan Ahab and Moby Dick.

[OceanBlue]

Keta,

Never did understand that whole Moby Dick story... I mean Ahab was a lunatic.

Y'know, I'm starting to identify with the man.

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