rookies get tuna off Westport

SlabQuest · 07-29-2003, 08:51 AM

Using info gleaned from the SD's and our limited tuna experience, we managed to extract ONE tuna. I believe it is one of the first sport-caught tuna of the year from the ocean off Westport. I will briefly tell the story, and maybe some of you would be kind enough to suggest how we can improve our technique.

We tied clones (zuchini, mexican flag, a white one & an orange one) per Pilar's illustrations. Instead of knots we crimped and we used a little "ring & thimble" deal to attach the 200# to the hook. We ran about 38 miles out - the water was 62 degrees. We put out 3 hand-lines: 2 about 15' back and one about 30' back. We trolled 2 clones on halibut rods - about 60' back. We trolled about 6 knots. We had no strikes til we saw tuna attacking a bait ball, so we did a U-turn and trolled thru the action. That's when we got the one fish (on a halibut rod). After that, we were a LOT more attentive to any bait action around us. We saw commercial tuna trollers headed out past us. We fished about 2 hours total, then headed in closer to finish our limit of big chinook.

Threemuch · 07-29-2003, 09:24 AM

That gear was all pretty close. If I was running that gear, and wasn't getting bit, I would lengthen up quite a bit. 150' on rods and reels, 100 and 50' on the hand lines. 15 is awful short. Sometimes that works, but not this year for me, all the fish have been pretty far back.

This is my opinion, but I would not fish tuna clones on a bet. They just don't work for me. Tuna clone feathers are another story. Wierd that a little bit of feather would make a difference, but I swear it does. TCF 100s and 200s. Zukers, Zuker Broomtails, heck even hoochies, all fish better than tuna clones for me. Also, I would nix the white and the orange feathers and run at least one purple and black, and one rootbeer broomtail until I saw what was hitting.

Never troll through the school of crashing fish. Troll around it, the fish will come to you. If you run them down, they will stop feeding and head down. Any time you see sign; birds, whales, bait, kelp paddies, troll around it, not over it. You can pick up one or two fish by trolling over a school of fish, or you can troll around it and get 10 or 20. You can also pull up next to a school of jumpers and cast swim baits to them.

Congrats on first blood!

KB

Fishmstr · 07-29-2003, 09:30 AM

Two things right off that are simple. Vary trolling speed between 6-8 knots...sometimes they like it slow, others fast, and sometimes varying speed does the trick. Also, try trolling some of your jigs a little further back. We always troll 1 rods way back (whisky line)...I mean this thing is out probably 200 feet or more. When the fish are shy, they really nail that one. Also, fish some cedar plugs, natural color. If you see them attacking bait balls, try trolling a rapala (CD 14)or marauder....or troll fish traps. You can also cast fish traps and iron into the boils for pretty good action. Do you have bait out of Westport (I thought I remember somewhere up there having live bait)? Anyhow, if you do, immediately start chumming after a hook up and then throw out some fly-lined bait with 20-30 pound leader. Lots of fun on light rods. Good luck.
steve

Fishmstr · 07-29-2003, 09:32 AM

All I fish are tuna clones. Definitely add some dark colors to your spread (dark under low light conditions and light colored later). We've caught over half our fish the past couple of years on a purple/black tuna clone.

corrirod · 07-29-2003, 09:37 AM

I would second Threemuch's sentiments except for the clones, which I've had work well.

You need to run the gear back. There are aggressive fish that will bite close but it seems the majority are back farther. I run handlines 75-100ft. and rods 100ft. to 100+ yards. I usually only send one center pole back 100+ yards and the rest I keep within 200 ft.

He's right about the bait balls and sign. Stay away from it as tempting as it might be to drive right in on them. The fish will see you and come to your gear. Just keep circling the zone, closer and closer, until you get your first hookup. It's especially good in those circumstances to let that first fish "hang" for awhile. Don't slow the boat for at least a 10 count and you'll more than likely end up with doubles, triples, and quads within that 10 second span.

Great job guys getting that first fish! I think if you follow those few new guidelines you're next trip will result in problems like not having enough room for fish/ice! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Pilar · 07-29-2003, 09:57 AM

Slabquest, so glad I could help. Go faster and don't stop the boat on a hook up.

The advice about longer handlines is good too. I run 100 ft at the corners and a 60 ft in the middle. Rods are set to 150 ft and up to 600 ft back. Trolling speed is 7 to 10 mph on 'Pilar'. We slow to 4 if the lines load up and the crew starts crying.

Use the Pangero fishfinders they work 24/7/365. If you find birds you will almost always find fish.

Miss B Haven · 07-29-2003, 10:13 AM

One more thought, you said you ran out 38 miles. We were only 25 miles off the CR bouy (bout 30 miles off the beach) on Saturday. Water was 60-60.5 where we found the fish. Color was not blue either, it was clear but green.
Don't overrun the fish. YOu may have gone over the fringe fish and not far enough for the big schools of peanuts that the jig boats are after.
We even had a jig boat come in and start fishing with us, proly after hearing us chattering on the radio.
The other thing is structure. Do you know what the bottom contours look like on the way out of westport? I've been finding fish where the bottom drops out from 300 fathoms or so to 600 fathoms or more rather rapidly. Check your charts for structure, sea mounts, shelf drop offs etc.
Happy Hunting!

CAPT KUJO · 07-29-2003, 10:16 AM

Those are short lines. You need to lengthen some.....100 ft for the outside lines are not uncommon. And for me....catch the most fish

SlabQuest · 07-30-2003, 12:11 PM

Well, I surely do appreciate the feedback.
To recap, next time we need to:

1) Run the gear furthur back. (It seemed awful close to me, but I had 2 sources tell me to run it close)

2) Vary speed from 6 - 8 knots.

3) Don't drive right through baitballs w/ tuna. (I know this is true cuz when I stupidly did just that, the tuna dissappeared)

4) Don't necessarily run so far out. (What IS the ideal temperature to seek? The only other tuna trip I took, we were in tropical blue water)

5) Don't immediately stop the boat upon hook-up. Wait for more strikes.

6) Try feathers and other lures (clones may or may not be the best

I have a dark purple one that I didn't use)

Here is a tip that I heard yesterday from a guy that does some commercial tuna fishing:

If you have a raw-water washdown pump onboard, use the nozzle to spray water around active tuna to incite feeding.

[ 07-30-2003, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: SlabQuest ]

Fishmstr · 07-31-2003, 06:49 AM

I start trolling when the water hits 59.1, no matter where I am at. (except when we have 60 degree water on the beach like a few weeks ago, but even that day we caught a fish 8 miles from depoe trolling back in!). There always seems to be some fish on the inside break. Definitely add to your list to look for birds, temp breaks, and rips (especially with floating debris). These areas almost always seem to hold fish.
Good luck,
steve

Threemuch · 07-31-2003, 07:13 AM

I will fish any break over .5 degrees past 58. So if the temp is 58 or more and jumps .5 or more, I will put em in and fish that area. If I can't find a break, I will fish 59 degrees of water around sea mounts or known fish, but mostly I look for color at that point.

KB