favorite way to catch tuna?

bait boy · 06-15-2005, 10:28 AM

bait boy · 06-15-2005, 10:30 AM

I played in my own poll. I chose standup since I have not done the live bait thing yet... I am really wanting to try that...

wootersen · 06-15-2005, 10:31 AM

2 years ago I would've said "can opener".

Let the games begin !!

wthr4d · 06-15-2005, 10:33 AM

I said live bait. I have only done this a few times down in So Cal but it was a blast!! up here stand up gear is the way to go...however that fly rod thing may be a thrill ride and a half.

I hope to try it all this summer, but dobt Ill get more than one or two trips in this year.

Paul

Mark Mc · 06-15-2005, 11:07 AM

Rick, how come you didn't include casting lures (swimbaits, iron) while drifting? That's the most common "fun" way for us up here, without live bait.

- MM

Deepslayer · 06-15-2005, 11:08 AM

Usually after a few standups, surfing those Tuna in on a handline does wonders for my arthritic shoulders!

bait boy · 06-15-2005, 11:21 AM

Funny that you mention that Mark. I didn't even think about the fish trap thing. Its almost like live bait with a twist.

Its been few and far between for the opportunity to "play around" with these fish. Im looking forward to having more fun and less work this year.

I guess each way has its own set of benefits and downfalls.. handline tuna get less stress and therefore better quality at home. Rod fish are just more fun to me especially if the boat actually stops and I can enjoy the fight. Last year was the first time I saw free swimmers below my fish that I was bringing in slowly( had to wait for other fish to be dealt with). I really enjoyed that sight and want more of that, to see the school boiling on the corner is my goal for the year..

OceanBlue · 06-15-2005, 11:38 AM

Another one you forgot in the poll, Rick, Bare Hands. Man, o Man! That's my favorite way. What a hoot! You gotta drift right up to the edge of a boil real quiet like, then you dive right in and grab one by the tail. Hang ON! 'cuz what comes next is the wildest ride you ever had... IF you can hang on long enough, the fish will finally tire out from draggin' your sorry butt around. When he does, just take him to the surface, flag down your boat and have your crew pick you up.

Then you got yerself a tasty feesh and an e-ticket ride all in one.

'course when you wake up, it's mighty disappointing.

tracker · 06-15-2005, 12:13 PM

What about jigging up a bunch of herring the evening before at newport and puting them in the live well for the next day. The day I caught a bunch down there some of them made it back up to Depoe alive and had I put the boat in the water as soon as I got there I think they would have made it to the next day. Now if'n I was to go out of Newport the next day I would have bait o'plenty.

Tuna Tom · 06-15-2005, 01:59 PM

JIG FISHIN'

Stand up...swing a rod with metal on it and get a hit that is usually referred to as "getting frieght trained"!!!! Put the rod under your arm and start throwing punches. If he's Mr. Big you'll get driven to your knees.

Yes sir...JIG FISHIN'...JIG FISHIN'

Tuna Tom

retaliate · 06-15-2005, 04:44 PM

Live bait has it's good, & bad points, the good is, once you chum in a frenzy of fish around the boat, the action is amazing, hard to beat, but unlike so.cal we don't have access to scoops of bait on the mid Oregon coast, Winchester bay will sell ya live bait for $4 a doz & I heard Hammond offers similar, but you'll also need a good livewell, plus they are tough to bait, & are easily ripped off the hook. Trolling a tuna clone is easy, ya don't have to keep re-baiting your line, it's just a big fly right? Speaking of fly-fishing, I think it would be thrilling to catch some Tuna on a fly rod, the guys that went out last year had the luxury of live bait to chum Tuna to the boat & the fly fishermen had a awesome day. This sounds like alot of fun to me. I've never used live bait up here in the Northwest, many times down in the San Diego area tho. its a blast!!! using live bait, but you need a good source. Catch your own is a option, but it takes precious time. Im not ashammed to use a handline either, fishing is fishing, but I perfer a little sport with my fishing, when the Tuna are bitting good we don't use handlines much.

RJ · 06-15-2005, 08:09 PM

Favorite way ? well heck that's easy stand on the tote one hand on Rocket launcher the other pulling screaming rod out of rocket launcher , hit big swell ,feet comeout from under neth ya ,bounce off tote ,pinball off gunnel and back in boat ,lay there for few seconds ,say a few choice words and Reel fish in...RJ

skein · 06-15-2005, 08:15 PM

RJ,

That is not a pretty picture, but I can see it just the same. I still like the story about you hanging on for dear life with your feet skimming the waves. Now that's a story!

Did I ever tell you about the time I was alone in the boat, standing on the tote, and flyrodding for coho? Prolly not the cleverest thing I've ever done.

Skein

wdlfbio · 06-16-2005, 10:05 AM

Live bait, but any technique where ya feel the whole event, from the strike until the blood is speuwing all over the boat and ya hear the wonderful music made by the bouncing Tuna! (I don't know how to spell that sound).

oregonoutdoors · 06-16-2005, 12:13 PM

Nothing like live bait. Getting slammed into the rail on a take while casting iron/swimbaits is nice also.

oregonoutdoors · 06-16-2005, 12:20 PM

What I really want to do this summer is shoot one with my speargun. I have suitable equipment, just need to be out during some perfection conditions: flat with no wind, and have someone else willing to go in with me to spot for sharks. Jumping in 30+ miles from shore is going to take some big Kahunas, especially into a bunch of live bait chum with all of the sharks out there.

Jennie@ifish · 06-16-2005, 02:58 PM

When Pilar throws it at me in the driveway of my home.

wdlfbio · 06-17-2005, 07:41 AM

Jumping in 30+ miles from shore is going to take some big Kahunas, especially into a bunch of live bait chum with all of the sharks out there.

Hmmmm. I think maybe you've spent too much time working in confined spaces on your new boat

Taylor's viewpoint · 06-20-2005, 06:04 PM

It is fun to feel the little anchovie swim around looking for Mr. Tuna and then pick up the speed when he finds him. You can feel the little feller pick up the pace just before the action really gets hot and heavy. You know the anchovie isn't taking that much line that fast.
TV

Bob5292 · 06-20-2005, 11:02 PM

I have done some offshore Spearfishing in the South Pacific and New Zealand but haven't speared a tuna yet. I am in Seattle but would love to come down and throw in for gas to try and spear an Albacore. There are a few Californian divers who have speared them in the past. If there is interest I can get some more info out of them. Unfortunately I just sold my 120 cm tuna gun, but I still have all of the floats, lines, bungies, and a .357 powerhead for the tax collectors. There are at least 2 more very experienced local freedivers from Seattle that would be interested in a trip for albacore. I am working as hard as possible so I can save up for an offshore fishing boat, hopefully ill have it by mid august. In the mean time I need to do some long range underwater target practice.

Bob
Seattle WA.

Threemuch · 06-21-2005, 07:40 AM

I agree with Bob, I would love to shoot one, but Albacore is a big-time longshot. I only know of the two that Joe Tobin speared.

Albacore Spearo Story

More Albacore Spearo Stories

I guess John Cheesman shot one off Cape Blanco, but as you read in the story it took him four years. I think if you had someone to keep them up with live bait, you might get a pretty good shot, but live bait is somewhat limited here.

BFT would be an easier shoot, but few opportunities present around here. Your gear better be good.

My favorite way hook and line is on the iron, when you are burning it back to the boat and the fish stops you cold and then dang near pulls the rod out of your hand.