Luck of the Irish

Bill Monroe · 08-23-2003, 10:36 PM

Doesn't seem like just about 20 hours ago I was eating breakfast at the Apple Peddler in Newport and then was 57 miles southwest by 9:30 (that's directly off Heceta Head) and reeling in a tuna at 9:31.
Big day on the Irish, with 77 tuna for six anglers..one lost to a shark, only two came off near the boat.
In at 6:30...saw Pilar, Popeye and several other ifishers around...sorry, no pix cuz I'm not allowed to play with the wife's camera, but it was sure impressive to see them lined up at the cleaning station.
Saw plenty of dandy halibut from other boats, too.

(Confidential to Pilar: Don't you dare eat that tuna I donated to the swordfish trip).

Tuna were in 62.5 degree water. Three times we saw schools of feeders, trolled next to them (once watched them turn toward the boat) and within moments had five and six-fish hookups...

Now the work starts...NOT...going to ice the fillets some more and get a few hours sleep...

WildHawg · 08-24-2003, 07:15 AM

Wow!!!!! Now that's a boatload o' tuna!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Bill. Do I smell a tuna story in our future???

Deepslayer · 08-24-2003, 10:49 AM

Good for you Bill! I usually just close up the cooler and put the whole thing in one of my freezers. When I get up the next morning the fillets are firm and ice cold but not frozen. The cooler is insulated enough and there is enough thermal mass, so the fillets don't freeze. A lot easier than adding ice.
,Ed

TWB · 08-24-2003, 12:07 PM

Bill, congratulations on a great trip, that was a nice catch of tuna, your crew must have had a great day of fishing.

And, why do we keep meeting at the Newport fish cleaning station? Could we be fishing TOO much...? "NOT.........."

Good to see you again,
Jerry

puffins crew · 08-24-2003, 03:24 PM

WTG Bill, Thanks for the report.

Seeing feeding TUNA is a sweet sight, for sure.
Knowing your gear is going to get hit.

Peace, Tom

Pilar · 08-24-2003, 03:33 PM

Bill, I spent some time rereading 'Old Man and the Sea' last night.

The part where old Santiago makes up his drift bait rig ... A whole tuna with two big Gilbertson hooks, the points covered with small fresh sardines. These rigs to be towed slowly along at wind drift speeds and at depths of 50 to 150 fathoms.

Looking for tips.

I might try the same thing .. at night to reduce shark problems, and with a cyalume stick to attract the fish with a sword in his face.

Thanks Bill for the donation and it is in good hands .. to your little P nut tuna I say

C'mon Charlie, I'm gonna make you a star

Bill Monroe · 08-24-2003, 11:18 PM

"one of my freezers"...interesting concept...I don't have a freezer big enough to hold a cooler big enough to hold four dozen tuna loins, so I bought ice and brought it all home...just finished the wrapping and still barely have room in the freezers (main and bait)
Tuna story? perhaps, although the sports editor is gonna start wondering about all the coastal stories of late...still, that's where the action is this summer...why not?