Northern division salty pup w/ questions

[nivtup]

Howdy folks,

I have been watching the Salty Dogs board since it's beginning. I have spent a fair amount of time preparing for the big pond over the last year, working redundancy issues, electronics, etc.

The boat to be used for the adventure is a 19 ft, heavy deep V. Shakedown runs recently completed.

I / we have been out of Westport a few times for Salmon runs, did good each time out.

So the questions,

What tackle do I need to gather to make a Tuna run?

Rods = Ugly Stick Tiger w/ 320 GTI

Line? = Currently spooled w/ 80 lb tuff line.

Leader? = 200 lb? (seems heavy) What length of leaders do you guys run, and what type of attachment to mainline?

Tuna Feathers? = Mexican flag / Purple and black / recommendations?

Hooks? = I see double hooks in the pictorial, what size / brand? Barbless?

Handlines? = Are handlines a big advantage? Do they help to attract more Tuna?

We intend to run about 4 rods, is this asking for chaos?

Readying for storage with large coolers / totes / and lots of ice.

It looks like the Tuna are about 30 miles out now, hoping to hear they move in a bit more, like 20 - 25 to reduce the run time.

This week looks like it might be a bit rough for the long run.

Any help you might offer up will be greatly appreciated.


Niv Out


(Timba, you paying attention??)

[Pilar]

Nivtup, you got it all right. You have been studying and paying attention, Grasshopper.

A 4" green and Chartreuse hootchie with an egg sinker for a head was the bomb on Saturday. Much cheaper than a Zukers and the right size (small). 200# leader is thought unnecessary by some but I still get leader breaks at that test line. On handlines that weight is IMHO a must. Since my gear fishes all, handlines and standup, everything is rigged with the heavy leader.

I would give handlines a try. Standup gear is fun but will quickly wear out your crew. Figure 10 to 15 minutes to grind any fish over 15 pounds to the boat. They may as well be nuclear powered like the submarines whose hull design was copied from the mighty albacore tuna.

The official Oregon regs say one rod per fisher. That is the official IFISH position as well. We can't officially condone illegal fishing practices. The common practice is to use more than that. What you do is your own business. Look for changes in the Oregon Regs starting next year. If you want to make sure they change then come to the Duncan Law Seafood center in Astoria, Friday Aug 8th for the ODFW commision meeting where the proposed changes will be discussed.

The new rules that are proposed allow multiple lines and chumming, another currently illegal practice.

When you hunt, go with others and spread out. Water temp is one thing but clarity and color are more important. We catch fish in green water if it is clear and always get fish in clear blue water.

Most people drive past the fish. Start fishing when you see clear water and 59+ degrees. What happens may surprise you. Also mark any multiple hookup and circle that spot a few times.

[finclipped]

I am also wanting to give tuna a try. I have fished for salmon quite a bit in the salt, but never tried Tuna.

First I need to buy the gear, and wait for a real flat day. I plan on bringing extra fuel, but the tank holds 35 gallons and I usually burn 13 gallons running from Hammond to the CR (28 miles round trip), with trolling time. If Tuna are 25-30 miles off the coast, that would be double the fuel (26 gallons.) Sound about right?

I have a 20' NR with a 8 horse kicker that pushes the boat 6 mph wide open. Is this enough, or do I need to run the main motor to go faster?

Given you are trolling very quickly, are the lures trolled on the surface?

Where do you insert the knife to bleed the fish?

I have seen lots of posts on cooling and storing fish in Ice, and I have seen the posts on colors of lures, so I think I have enough info to do figure out those two things.

Although chumming is illegal, what hypothetically do you use for chum?

[Pilar]

Finclipped, use the main engine, as you may wish to go 7 to 10 mph to get the good thing to happen. A deck tank is available from Tempo that holds 29 gallons. They have them at West Marine. Bring a tape measure and check it out.

The lures skip across the water just under the surface. Cedar plugs veer back and forth crazily just under water.

The cut is 1/2 way between the line just above the pectoral fin near the front where it joins the body and the black/silver line above the lateral line. Start at the front and cut parallel to the lateral line about 2" towards the tail. Go at least 1/2" deep and it will gush.

Putting on my scientific hat now .... Use herring cut into 2" chunks. About a half a bucket full is enough. Theoretically speaking of course, you 'chunk' by tossing a few chunks into the wake every few minutes or so. Any hook up should be hit with a big handful right into the wake and toss a big handful as you pass sitting or working birds.

BTW the blood in your bilge works good too. We hit the deck with 5 or 10 gallons of seawater and turn on the pump to turn the wake red as we pass sitting birds.

Be careful out there. Fish from Depoe and run with some of the experienced. The fish are as close as 20 miles and up to 35 miles out.

[ 07-21-2003, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[blubeast]

nivtup... having just completed two weekends of tuna trips and assisting with the carking of 52 boated fish, can provide some insite to your questions... yes your 320 GTI will work... but it's drag washers will probably never be the same. (Hauled two in on my Pen 209... now off to buy a real reel... yes it was having line pealed at full drag....but got the fish to the boat.)

Use both handlines and rods, after a couple of rod battles, you'll all love the handlines. The rods are great for the 'love of fishing'... the handlines for 'the meat'.

Regarding terminal gear - Pilar has some GREAT posts the have been re-posted for the construction of handlines and terminal gear. Suggest you do a search for the how to and what. My impression after watching others these trips... you'll probably need more terminal gear that you'll ever think you can afford. One of each won't cut it.

A part of the justification for the heavy leaders is that knots happen... We had several this weekend that came in with extra knots... and all leaders held. Lighter leaders may break.

Hooks - fished one day with dual barbed, the second dual barbless. The barbless are great for removing from the fish. However we did appear to have alot more of the long line releases with them... imho

Hope this helps...but keep in mind I'm still a Salty Pup... watching, lear'n and catching thanks to great teachers here on the board and on the water (thanks again Pilar & Threemuch for the hands on lessons).

[nivtup]

Pilar,

I appreciate the response right from the big dog himself.

What hook size /style is recommended?

Leader length?

I appreciate the info.

[nivtup]

Blubeast,

Thanks, I did go back and re-read the pictorial.

8" leader length, Got it.

Those hooks look like a 8/0 or so, am I close?

[BUGLEMAN]

Stainless tuna doubles, barbless, Mustad #22

[finclipped]

I went to Fisherman's and found a limited supply of tuna gear. Is there a local place to find the #200 pound liter and lures? Do I need to run to Englands in Astoria?

[Pilar]

Leader length should be 7 foot, finished length. Start with 8 foot and the knots will use about a foot of leader.

You can use the 'perfection loop' which I prefer or crimps. If you crimp be very careful to get the right pressure on the crimp or you will damage the leader and it will break or pull free of the crimp.

Leader becomes hard to find at times. I prefer the Ande 200# in the blue spools. Fisherman's in Oregon City has it, sometimes. They had some 300# last time I looked and that will work but it will not fit in the 4" clones.

You can get JinKai and MoMoi in coils at Englunds. This is good leader but the color is grey not clear. Berkely Big Game comes in 200# also and I have seen that at FM and Englunds.

Last word .. there is no wrong way to do this. If you discover an easier or better way please share.

You are all so welcome ... keep the questions coming.