New guy with a tuna story

Sakana · 09-26-2003, 03:17 PM

Hi, I'm new to the board and I love to tuna fish. I'm originally from S. Cal and fished San Diego for tuna many years; and I just can't get tuna out of my system, nor do I want to.

I did book a tuna fishing trip out of Newport on a charter boat once. But I was wondering why they told me to bring gloves, and why everyone was snickering when I brought my own tuna rod. Well I found out why, it didn't occur to me that the boat wasn't going to stop when we hooked a fish. I can't complain about not catching fish,it just didn't seem like sport fishing when you hand line in all the fish. All I can say it sure is tough to reel in a tuna on a rod and reel when the boat doesn't slow down.

Being from S. Cal where most fish are caught with live bait on rod and reel, I thought I was in heaven when I discovered Ocean Charters out of Westport and live bait fishing. I have been going out with Capt Dave on the Ms Magoo for the past 5 years now, and enjoyed every trip. If you have never experieneced flylining a live anchovey to a school of cruising albacore and having the line ripping off in free spool, it's quite a rush.

This years trip was one one the best, not so much in the numbers but the size of the tuna. The trip didn't start off on the best note, as we were coming off the tail end of a storm. The water was so rough it was decided that instead of leaving at 8:00 pm we would leave at 6:00am the next morning so we lost about 6 hours of fishing time. But I knew Dave would do his best to get us into fish, and that is exactly what he did. I can't seem to remember the fish ever fighting harder. Just the shear number of jumpers made the trip worth the yearly wait. I was fortunate to have the hot rod with over 20 fish for the one and half day trip.

I own a 21' Duckworth Silverwing w/partial hardtop and was wondering if maybe I could tag along with someone next year, if the tuna come close again. The boat has a Hamilton pump and a 8T kicker,also has a 60 gal tank.

I was just wondering how safe it is to motor out into the big blue with this set up. What worries me is sucking up enough seaweed to where I lose all power. Has anyone experienced this problem. I sure enjoy reading all the tuna posts, and would appreciate any input about taking my boat into the salt. Thanks in advance, Wayne

Beer Waggin · 09-26-2003, 03:47 PM

Welcome to the board Sakana!

We do things a bit differently up here. We call it "Meat Fishing". We don't get all summer to fish Tuna! like they do in SoCal, so we fill the freezer when we can.
Your sled sounds like it's missing a whole lot of fuel capacity to do the Tuna! thing. We found ourselves 45+ miles out earlier this summer and getting home with the wind was a long chore.

Hang around and learn how we do it. See the TA meeting thread and join us for some off season fun.

Sea Jypzee · 09-26-2003, 04:16 PM

Welcome to Ifish Sakana. It does sound like you have a good bit of experience fishing tuna. As you've noticed already, we tend to do things a little differently here in Oregon. :grin:

A lot of us do use handlines for getting volume. I tend to run mostly handlines, but also run a couple of stand up rods as well for getting in there and enjoying the fight...but when I'm looking for meat for the freezer, it's handlines primarily.

We have to be fairly selective about days we can get out due to ocean and weather conditions, so when we do get out, we're looking for maximum bang for the buck.

As for getting your boat out...the size is good, I also think your biggest limiting factor will be fuel capacity. Spend time talking to folks, get out across the bars locally and become familiar with them...make sure you have all the safety and navigation systems in place, and you'll be out there with us in no time. :grin:

Deepslayer · 09-26-2003, 04:23 PM

Welcome aboard Sakana - I still own my house in Ramona. If you had a prop and more fuel capacity it would be a doable trip. With the jet and your fuel capacity I wouldn't try it. The last time I was out on a jet we had a total of 100gals of fuel. When we got back into DEpoe there was less than 1 gallon left. :shocked: :shocked:

,Ed

Hamachi · 09-27-2003, 03:48 AM

Hi Sakana!

I, too, am ex So. Cal., (Manhattan Beach), and fished Morro Bay to 'Diego chasing whatever was biting.

Yeah, they do things differently up here. Doesn't mean they're doing everything right, though. (That'll really get'em going!) I've been extolling the virtues of live bait here for a couple of years now.

My latest - 9/24 Westport Albie Report

Pilar · 09-28-2003, 07:58 AM

Sakana, welcome to the Salty Dogs. If we could get some live bait here on the central coast, I'm betting you would have some willing students for a live bait hands on. There are herring available at Newport most incoming tides all summer.

Would live herring work?

The only live anchovy guy I know of is up in Astoria.

Tell us more about anchovy fishing and flylining TUNA! Oh, and don't miss the Tunaholics anonymous (TA) meeting coming to a pub or restaurant near you soon. Just plain folks talking about what they love to do during the time of year when it is not possible to do it.

Taylor's viewpoint · 09-28-2003, 09:39 AM

Welcome aboard Sakana. I have a 24' Duckworth with the 496CI/375HP motor with a Hamilton 212 Jet, and I am reluctant to chase the tuna unless they get in pretty close. I do run out to the Chicken Ranch (32 miles) for Halibut, but that doesn't involve any trolling. I have an 80 gallon tank and have used 63 gallons on a Halibut trip where it was a little rough. I have also made the same trip on 43 gallons with a smooth sea. 60 gallons seems like it could be a problem. You could get out there and troll for a while, you just couldn't get back to shore. :depressed:
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