How early next year for Tuna?

KeyWest · 12-06-2003, 09:58 AM

I've done some searching the archives for threads about how early folks start fishing for Tuna up and down the coast, also looked at CoastWatch for the monthly composits to see when the water gets warm enough for Tuna out here. This past year, it looks like there was a good patch of warm water about 45 miles off Garibaldi in the June time frame (remember, these are composites). I didn't find many threads on here about early tuna - seems like July is when folks started fishing for them last year (self included). So, question for everyone - what is the earliest we can get back out there - my boat it trailerable, so S. Oregon is even an option! Are there brave souls who do "exploratory" runs in June? Looking at the water temperatures, May is WAY too early - besides, Halibut will be biting then (if I can decipher the 2004 Regs). Thoughts? Am I crazy for thinking about Tuna in June when it's only the first part of December?
:whazzup:

[ 12-06-2003, 10:59 AM: Message edited by: KeyWest ]

Mark Mc · 12-06-2003, 10:17 AM

Just have to wait and see what the trend looks like next spring. Last year, the big schools showed up early near the Mexican border. Then a really strong warm water push developed off S CA, that bent offshore and came back in towards N CA & OR. So the signs were there for an early season. Sure enough, Marty got the first sport tuna out of Depoe Bay in the third week of June.

Popeye · 12-06-2003, 12:41 PM

KeyWest...I caught my first ones the day after Marty...but I really think they were out there earlier :grin:

Mello-Yello · 12-06-2003, 03:15 PM

As I recall, (my memory is real good, it just isn't very long)...
There were some good sea temps in early June, but ocean conditions remained unstable. It wasn't until we finished waiting out those southerly winds/swells that many people tried to get out.

M-Y

Albacore Tuna Captain · 12-06-2003, 07:48 PM

Historically for the charter industry, mid to late August was always the starting time for tuna but that was before many recreational sport "scout" boats started looking for them. THis year I made my first charter trip July 14th after hearing of Marty catching some and Pilar too and found they were everywhere and we had a killer trip!

The point is, I don't think anyone knows for sure when the tuna really get here, but I think that as soon as the conditions are right, meaning the SST, that they will be there. So if someone wants to try in late June, hey, why not? :smile:

KeyWest · 12-06-2003, 08:39 PM

Thanks for all the feedback :tongue:

My first trip this year was July 12th - weather was poor, but fishing was OK - brought back 8. This was out of the CR, about 25 - 35 miles.

So, I guess I will have to start looking at the SST around mid-June and get things ready to go. Definately, keep my ears open after July 1.

sturgn · 12-06-2003, 11:27 PM

Hopefully as soon as warm water is within 50 miles I am headed out! What ya think Ed?

WildHawg · 12-07-2003, 04:25 PM

Robalo Bill took me on a great trip out of Garibaldi on the SST's you spoke of in his TUNA! Missile around the 3rd-4th week of June.
As I recall, we were around 45 miles out at the furthest. We found 60 degree blue water, rafts of crap, dolphin, pelagic seabirds, but no TUNA!!
Was a hell of an effort (thanks Bill), and a fun, if fishless trip. We did catch some dandy crab on my secret bait however!!
Next trip was 7-5-03. Caught 24 out of Depoe Bay on the Sea Jypzee.

[ 12-07-2003, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: WildHawg ]

Deepslayer · 12-07-2003, 04:36 PM

Sounds good to me Sturgn. All I have to do is dust the gear off!!!
,Ed

WP · 12-07-2003, 09:35 PM

It will be good to have you back on the water Ed...glad the bod is healthier than last summer! Hope you have a trip or two planned to spend with the tin boat! Your experience and snoring are important!
Dave :smile:

backlash442 · 12-08-2003, 06:19 AM

How far do you guys "typcially" have to go for tuna?

WP · 12-08-2003, 06:40 AM

15-50 miles off Depoe Bay...most common is around 20-25 (60 deg. spot)
Dave

kamloops · 12-08-2003, 07:50 AM

Off the Columbia most years are 50miles +,
some years 20 miles like last summer.
If the EL Nino currents make an impact this summer as some think, it could be another repeat of last year 20miles.

I think last summer was unusual, the warm water was way early and quite large. We had a few months of nothing but southerlies May and June?
Who knows, if we have a few months of North blows it could be a bust.

backlash442 · 12-08-2003, 12:37 PM

Not bad then. Numbers are typical for Morro Bay as well. Seems like you can always find fish in closer though. The larger albies can sometimes be found in off color water which is generally closer.

Do you have Vessel Assist up there? Had to get towed back from 70 nm this past summer. Not a lot of fun. Did manage 3 albies on the drift though.

Threemuch · 12-08-2003, 01:58 PM

Backlash,
You won't believe this. Up here no vessel assist, THE COASTIES WILL COME AND GET YOU! For those of you who don't know, this is the only place on either coast where I have found that to be true. If there is a commercial tow boat service available, Coast Guard won't tow you. Lucky us, there isn't one available in Oregon. I heard they tried to set up shop in Newport a couple times, and were run out of town.

KB

Pilar · 12-08-2003, 02:18 PM

July 2, 2003. We were there 20 something miles offshore but the boat was not in the game. We watched birds and jumpers as we drifted dead in the water. The water was there for almost 2 weeks before we got a decent day to try it. The CG will tow you and then give you a boat exam. Make sure your boat is squared away.

I'm thinking late June is about as early as you can really count on. Too much wind before then and no warm water most years till then.

I'll guess for 2004, June 26th and not a day sooner.

backlash442 · 12-08-2003, 02:59 PM

Oh the CG will come get you down here but only if you are in imminent danger. They'll still bill ya too I bet. Try to buddy boat as much as possible.
That trip we got towed back we were on the drift for over 8 hours! Thank god it wasn't rough. Pucker factor would have been very high.

BUGLEMAN · 12-09-2003, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by backlash442:
Oh the CG will come get you down here but only if you are in imminent danger. They'll still bill ya too I bet. Try to buddy boat as much as possible.
That trip we got towed back we were on the drift for over 8 hours! Thank god it wasn't rough. Pucker factor would have been very high.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">The coast gaurd doesn't charge for tows and for us showed up ASAP.

OceanBlue · 12-09-2003, 09:44 AM

Yeah, but the coasties won't let ya fish while in tow! Don't ask me how I know this.

[ 12-09-2003, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: OceanBlue ]

Miss B Haven · 12-09-2003, 10:01 AM

July 5th first trip last year. Seems we put 8 or so in the boat and lost 4 or 5. It was a side trip after a bottom run limit (if I have my days right).
Fishing didn't get really hot until mid-August though. After a few 30 plus fish trips I was really wishing for those 8 or 12 fish days again! Woaahhh, that's a lot of ice and fish carking!

Any small boat (and all our boats are small) that is without power in the Ocean is in danger and I've never heard the coasties NOT respond. If you are in the River/Bay whatever they may ask you to anchor and not respond right away, or ask the Aux boat (Bay Mist at the CR Estuary) to help/tow you. Not the case in the Ocean I'm sure.

Boat US (TowBoat US- mostly East Coast) just bought out Vessel Assist (mostly west coast). Vessel assist just started coverage on the CR (river only). I was thinking about changing my tow coverage (additional above std Insurance Policy Towing) over to Vessel Assist.... now I don't have to.

By the way- I have heard that the Coasties charge Commercial Fisherman if they desire/require towing. Don't know if this is really true, FA seemed to indicate it wasn't a while back.

[ 12-09-2003, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Miss B Haven ]

OceanBlue · 12-09-2003, 10:07 AM

Mel - When we called the CG for assistance out of Depoe Bay last year, they told us they would call out a vessel assist and then wait 30 minutes to see if there was a response from other vessels in the area. We informed them very politely (and somewhat tongue in cheek) that there WERE no other vessels in the area. They replied back that this was SOP. During our waiting period, they checked in with us to monitor our position and conditions. It was a relatively calm day and the cutter was sent out within 30 minutes of our call... which was fortunate because the "relatively" was turning into "not-so" calm day.

Albacore Tuna Captain · 12-12-2003, 08:29 PM

FYI the Coast Guard will respond to a towing request if there is no "commercial" towing service available and they do not charge. The reason there is no towing service available on most of the Oregon coast is because there simply is not enough business. I have checked it out and thought about doing it since I have a towing endorsement and tow boat experience but found that the insurance cost was just too prohibitive.

If the enough business becomes available, someone will start the service and the Coast Guard will have to turn all but about 10% of the tows over to a commercial enterprise. Just like on the highway, you can't call the State Police to come and tow you, it has to be a commercial business. So when that time happens, you best have towing insurance on your boat or a buddy to help you because if a commercial business is available, the coast guard CANNOT respond unless it's a life or death emergency. So if you request a tow and a commercial company responds to the Coast Guard Marine Assistance call, you cannot refuse them unless you want to sit out there and float until doomsday. And if a commercial boat responds and you ultimately agree to the tow, he will charge you for all the standby time too. So be advised.

Mark Mc · 12-12-2003, 08:46 PM

Hey Mike how are ya? How's the carpentry going?

This conversation about towing really begs the question.... how many of the private boaters out there know much about towing? Keeping the right gear (lines) on hand, tying bridles, taking it slow, knowing if you have enough fuel to tow the OTHER guy at 8 knots, under a big load, for 2 - 3 hours...

That might be a good future "hands on" topic.