Tuna Wannabe

[CDSeattle]

Hallo, TunAholics!

I've been reading your posts and am anxiously awaiting an opportunity to go tuna fishing. I know that you typically expect a "first tuna" story, so I'll tell mine...

It was a bright clear morning. My family and I had just arrived at our destination when I asked my wife if she was ready for some fresh meat. With very little enthusiasm, she replied, "Uh, yeah, I guess so".

With that, I set off in search of tuna. As I approached the harbor, I noticed a big sign that read, "TUNA". This was it, the big moment... I walked down the dock and knocked on the side of the Five Girls.

A tall, thin, gray-haired fella popped out of the birth and said cheerfully, "What can I get for you"?

My heart was racing as I replied, "I'd like to buy a tuna".

I listened intently as he gave me instructions on how to cut the loins out of the frozen-hard-as-a-rock 12 lb Albacore that he dropped in bag and handed to me.

After thawing for many hours, I was able to clean my prize and serve it for dinner the following night....and it was very good to eat!

So that's it...that's my tuna story. That's why I'm still a wannabe...


Based on the messages that I've read, I think I have a suitable boat for the job. She's certainly caught a bunch of salmon this year:

24' Olympic with Alaska bulkhead
5.0 L Chevy
9.9 hp Yamaha kicker
60 gals of fuel
Fishfinders and VHF
Downriggers

BUT, I don't have any jigs/rigs/flies - whatever you need to actually catch a tuna. Could you guys help me out? I need a shopping list. This is an opportunity for you to spend someone else's money!

Sorry to have missed the recent TA meetings. I'd gladly drive down to meet all of you, but it hasn't worked out.

Thanks!!

[wak'm&stak'm]

Welcome.....sounds like you have the boat for it...I will see you on the water, if not earlier..

[Mark Mc]

Hey Cd, is that the 'Five Girls" that ties up in Poulsbo? Interesting operation....one man surrounded by wife & daughters for weeks at a time commercial fishing......

Welcome aboard............. Mark

[El Shaddai]

Welcome!

Welcome CD,
I'll get some pictures of tuna lures and post them for you.

[OceanBlue]

Wecome CD!

Oh boy! Shopping! Yippeeee!

I've got a list around somewhere. I'll see if I can find it and post.

Handlines? Or stand-up gear?

Here's a site that has our instructions for handlines. Thanks to CraigC for putting it there because it isn't on ifish anymore :depressed:

How to Make Tuna Handlines

[ 01-28-2003, 02:16 PM: Message edited by: Pilar's Mate ]

[PeterMac]

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Good story!

PeterMac

[CDSeattle]

Mark - that's the one! I can't believe you recognized the name... Do you live up there?

[CDSeattle]

So, when do you use a handline vs. a rod n' reel (I assume that's what you meant by stand-up gear)?

Wow, those are some big flies! 6-8 inches?

CD,
Here's a start. I couldn't find a picture of Zukers or Sevenstrand Tuna Clone Feathers.

[Threemuch]

CD-
Nice rig! I have a 22 olympic, but an outboard. I am somewhat range limited. But I have all the gear, so when you want to go, give me a shout, we can use my gear on your boat. I bet there are a few other guys here that can offer you the same deal.

What's the name of your boat? Where do you keep it?

KB

[wak'm&stak'm]

Hey CD....you asked "when do you use handlines VS rod and reel".......there are mixed feelings on this question, due to the one rod or handline rule.
I personally run handlines and rods at the same time..........and plead insanity....

I like handlines better than rods. I have gear and no boat, for now. Something about me not having a job makes my wife against getting another boat more than she usualy is.

[Birdnest]

CDSeattle,

Welcome, I too am a big ol' wannabe, but these are some VERY nice folks with a LOT of information they don't mind sharing. Look forward to your post.

Birdnest

[ 01-28-2003, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: Birdnest ]

[Miss B Haven]

Welome aboard! Looks like you might be able to start a Puget Sound Area Tunaholics club if you get a few more Wannabe's up there. Long drive to go to a meeting down here but you would be more than welcome. We could bring some gear and let you do the touchy feely thing! :shocked: :grin:
There's more of you up there (both experianced and Wannabes) so keep your eye's and ears on the board!

PS - IF you haven't seen our creed- check this post. http://www.ifish.net/ubb/ultimatebb....=000589#000001

[ 01-28-2003, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: Miss B Haven ]

[Chaps]

Hey CD, I predict we'll have our own run of Albacore in the sound this year I mean, WDFW regs say we can catch as many as we want in area 10 so it stands to reason they must show up once in awhile! Just in case that doesn't happen, though, I would propose that we organize an armada out of Westport this year . . . no sense in these Oregon guys having all the fun :grin:

[Mark Mc]

Hey CD, no I live down here in Orey-gone. But I have some very good friends on Bainbridge Island who we visit often. So we like to swing by Poulsbo & go to Sluys Bakery and walk the docks.

[Miss B Haven]

Mugwump - LMAO, It's your dream make it as big as you want. I can keep 25 Blue Marlin in Oregon too! Muhahahahah
:shocked: :grin:

[Re:Play]

CD Seattle--I am also a wannabe and live in between, Vancouver, WA. We used to live in Olympia, but that was before I had the appreciation for the salt water that I have now. If you find others who want to go out of Westport or Neah Bay keep in touch.

[Stabiman]

Welcome aboard CDSeattle...

I'm also a 'tuna slaying wannabe'... but that will change later this summer. Like Miss B Haven said... we just might have to look into starting a local 'Puget Sound TA club'!!

So, who else in the PS area is planning to go for tuna this summer?

Cheers

[Chaps]

Hey, this has possibilities "Puget Sound Tuna Association & Drinking Society" . . . so when's our first meeting? We're gonna use a lot less fuel than the other guys considering we'll bump into the Kitsap Penninsula after running due west for about 15 minutes :grin: Also, we don't have to leave at 4:00 am and . . .
. . . no sea sickness worries either!

[WP]

Maybe the answer is to work a swap....a day fishing for bullets out of Oregon and a day fishing for salmon or??? in Puget Sound? Seems like a good way for folks to meet and try new things....and to increase the number of addicted tunaholics! Afterall, misery loves company and so do addicts!

Just a thought, WP :smile: :smile: :smile:

[corrirod]

By the looks of the Salty Dog boards' growth you Washingtonians better hope the tuna hit the Washington coast first because if they're anywhere near Depoe or CR..........their migration will be over! :tongue: :grin:

[Hamachi]

CD, since you will probably be launching out of Westport which has live bait available, you need a bait tank! Some of the Salty Dogs can tell you about my preachings on using live bait for albacore. So Cal anglers would stay at the dock if live was unavailable.

You can easily and inexpensively make your own permanent or removable tank.

Click this link for instructions on making your own using a Rubbermaid trash can: LIVE BAIT TANK INFO

I only made it out once last August for albies and live bait was the key reason I caught fish. Here's a link to my ALBACORE REPORT. Unfortunately, the photos are no longer available. :depressed:

[Chaps]

Yes! Live bait in Westport! . . . my first tuna trip out of San Diego back in the early 60's (yeah, I'm an old fart), I'm about 12 and not knowing what to expect . . . its still dark when the boat stops on the first jig strike. In the chaos and screaming I finally work my way thru the crowd at the bait tank and a deck hand helps me pin a bait on my hook. As I scurry around trying to find a spot at the rail a hole finally opens at the corner as the three or four guys who were there suddenly are all hooked up and are heading uprail fast. I'll never forget looking down into that dark, deep water . . . . I slowly lower the wriggling anchovy to the surface . . . "hmmm" I say to myself . . . "I wonder if I should put some weight on so the bait can sink a little . . . . BLAMMO!!! :grin: You know the rest . . . hooked for life! Haven't fished them up here yet though . . . it's time.

[blubeast]

CDS-Welcome aboard. There's lots of us wannabes... so you're in good company. Regarding rigging... do a search here on ifish... Pilar did a post last year (several actually) that went thru step by step (and pic by pic) as to how to rig both handlines as well as lures. Good luck.

[OceanBlue]

Blubeast - actually, those pics are gone (flushed during a cleanup of ifish) - BUT CraigC was kind enough to copy them to a page he maintains.

Tuna Handline Instructions

[will_e_fish]

CD welcome and good story about "Five Girls" and TUNA!

Again BigThanks to Craig C for saving the handline instructions!

[CDSeattle]

Wow, there are lot's of wannabe's in WA. I noticed Bellingham, Seattle, Bainbridge, Gig Harbor.... It looks like we're well on our way to a Puget Sounds Chapter of Tunaholics (I guess we'd have to call ourselves TunaWannabes at this point). But, we'll earn our stripes this summer and become Aholics like the Oregon crowd.

Since I know absolutely nothing about how to tuna fish, I'd like to join a fleet of experienced fishers my first time out. Perhaps we could form our own armada after a couple training missions. Unless I misunderstood... are there some experienced tuna captains willing to go out of Westport??

Keta - I think we might be able to work something out - I'll bring the boat, you bring the gear, we split the catch.

Thanks for the pictures of the gear. Perhaps I should order it from your favorite local tackle shop(s) - if they're internet accessible. Do any of you work at a tackle shop?

[bait boy]

CDS this link has all of your tuna needs in a one stop shopping place charkbait ... call mark at the store if you want to talk about what it will take to set yourself up. its in Huntington beach Ca