Couple of questions

backlash442 · 12-31-2003, 09:19 AM

First, why do so many of you use hand lines? Is it just to get fish in the boat? You can just as easily run flat line clips to accomplish the same purpose with a rod and reel it would seem to me.

I noticed that there are a lot of Alumawelds for sale. Is it because they aren't good after x amount of years? Or is it because they put out so many boats that there is a higher % of boats out there?

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Mello-Yello · 12-31-2003, 09:45 AM

The handline question has come up many times before. The concensus seems to be that indeed, they are used to speed up the retrieval process. Tuna fishing off Oregon's coast is rather limited due to constantly changing ocean conditions. When a guy has a chance to get out and pursue tuna, it's sometimes a good idea to make the most of the time available.

As for the Alumawelds, I would suspect that your assumption is correct. I've never heard any significant complaints on the boats holding up, and there certainly are a lot of them around.

M-Y

Mr. Fisherman · 12-31-2003, 10:22 AM

Go there and do that and all will be answered

But be warned... Once ye have partaken of the carking of the Tuna ye will be ruined for life, FOR LIFE :shocked: !

Read the required reading thread for a glimpse of what is to become of the first time Tuna junki, er I mean fisherman... hehe...

[img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

[ 12-31-2003, 11:25 AM: Message edited by: Mr. Fisherman ]

OceanBlue · 12-31-2003, 10:28 AM

TUNA are hot as it is. When you fight them for an extended period of time, they get hotter. The hotter they are, the harder it is to cool them quickly. Cooling quickly makes the difference between sushi-grade flesh and canner grade fish.

It also makes a huge difference in the amount of ice you burn through.

The fight is fun, but if you're into eating fresh fish, raw or grilled, handlines greatly enhance the quality of the end product.

backlash442 · 12-31-2003, 02:12 PM

Mr. Fisherman, I've been a steady addict for about 7 years. Didn't get much of a fix this past year and none the year before. Looking forward to the upcoming season!

We chill our fish in a ice and rock salt mix. Gets the fish real cold. So cold in fact that it hurts your hands cleaning them.

Onokai · 12-31-2003, 06:57 PM

Backlash442 I'm a rod and reel man all the way. Off outriggers as well. I think that the handline thing is more fish in a shorter time frame, Rod and reel which is what we love is much slower than skipping fish in on the surface while still trolling, Like the trolling commercial guys do. Stopping and starting reeling in fish takes time. If you want the maximum numbers keep the boat up to speed and hand line them in. Hey it must be cheaper? no need for all those pricey rods and reels. Taste differnce between rod and reel fish, I think not but thats just my thought.This is all just a theory. Lets see if anyone out there feels the same. Mark

ONOKAI

[ 12-31-2003, 10:57 PM: Message edited by: Whaler Man ]

Salty Walty · 12-31-2003, 08:51 PM

We always called our handlines the meatlines. They were to put fish in the boat. We could also use heavy line without worrying about break-offs and "test" lures. Handlines are cheap, lure hardware and line. It puts more rigs in the water which makes more noise/splash/silhouette and brings more fish up. I think it is a matter of choice. Now that it will be legal as of midnight tonight to fish for tuna with more than 1 rod we can now run as many lines and in whatever fish catching pattern we can think of. Have at them and have no mercy.
Happy New Year to All!