Thanks Salty Dogs

Scaup · 08-30-2003, 01:14 PM

Ok, this is sort of long, but I would just like to thank all the salty dogs for the vast wealth of information shared on this site.

Due to my chosen career, I don't currently live in Oregon, but I will return one day. I read the Salty Dogs because it reminds me of home and the place that I know I will return eventually when my career is done. I have spent a lot of time fishing off the Oregon coast growing up and during my annual trips each summer, but I had never thought about catching tuna off of Oregon until I started reading this forum.

I had caught tuna when I lived in Hawaii off of a friends boat while fishing for marlin (he always caught the marlin when I wasn't along, I only caught tuna). But I never really got into it, because I believed that tuna fishing was a tropical sport and I was going to return to Oregon where I would focus on Salmon and bottom fish. I never thought tuna were available in Oregon to sport fishermen.

After living in the Midwest for the last 4 years and away from any ocean I recently moved to Virginia. Since I knew I would move about 9 months out I started researching the fish available in Virginia and learned they had tuna.

Tuna, I thought, well the Salty Dogs know how to catch tuna and it sounds like fun so I'll give it a try. So I spent nine months preparing my boat and gear for tuna fishing, and learning everything I could about tuna starting with info from the Salty Dogs.

Below you see the results of my second tuna trip (I was skunked my first attempt).

I've caught tuna before, but this is this the first tuna I've ever caught from my own boat. I know it's not very big, but it was the first. We caught five more and a couple of mahi mahi too!

So thanks to all of you Salty Dogs! You've created another tunaholic. If your ever in Virginia during tuna season I'll have an open seat for a Salty Dog.

Bonus points if you can name the species of tuna.

[ 08-30-2003, 02:19 PM: Message edited by: Scaup ]

Threemuch · 08-30-2003, 01:29 PM

Congrats! That's a Bonito.

There is some awesome wreck fishing in Virginia for Amberjack, wahoo, grouper, and pompano. Hook up with the right crew out there and you will score big. It's a location fishery, so it might be harder to find people who will help you find the spots. Good luck!

corrirod · 08-30-2003, 03:52 PM

Woooohooooo! Congrats! That's awesome!

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

08-31-2003, 07:51 AM

Where's your gloves :depressed:

Sea Jypzee · 08-31-2003, 07:54 AM

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

It is obvious that you also have that TUNA fever. Sorry to tell you this, but ummmmm, well I guess I just have to say it. There is NO cure for it. :grin: Very soon, if not already, you will be taking days off work just so you can get out and catch more fish. :tongue:

Deepslayer · 08-31-2003, 02:12 PM

Not 100% sure by the picture, but it looks like a Little Tuna,Bonito (Euthynnus Alletteratus). Also called Little Tunny, False Albacore and false Bonito. A very hard fighting fish, but not the best tasting. I don't think the Atlantic Bonito have those dots behind the pectoral fins. I seem to rememember the stripes on the back being different and extending all the way to the lateral line. Did I win?????? :smile: :whazzup:
,Ed

Scaup · 08-31-2003, 04:33 PM

Deepslayer wins! Sorry I don't have any prizes. How about a tuna trip if you're ever in Virginia.

You even got the latin name for False Albacore/Little Tunny also called Fat Alberts. The dots on the belly are the dead giveaway between the Bonito and the Fat Alberts, since the stripe pattern is hard to see in the picture. Bonus points also for knowing that they're not the best tasting. I actually released all of the Fat Alberts I caught, I only lifted it out of the water for the picture. Kept the mahi though, mmmm.. mmm.. good!

Thanks for the reminder Keta! You caught me redhanded... er barehanded. I always keep my gloves by the bait station and I did have my glove on my left hand but I lazily didn't put on the second glove due to the small size of the fish. That's a habit I need to break.

[ 08-31-2003, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: Scaup ]

Deepslayer · 08-31-2003, 04:41 PM

Maybe when I am back in MA visiting relatives sometime I will take you up on it. Thanks for confirming my supicions!
,Ed