Left the pad today at the most ungentlemanly hour of 03:45 and headed south to meet up with the young but venerable Soundking. Being that this was to be our third trip for tunoids together and thereby seen by yours truly as the proverbial charm for certain, I brought the brandy-new Grundens out of the closet. Orange is a nice color, but as I prefer red, I put them on in the parking lot ready to get after it. We'd already discussed a plan and would be going balls out today, so what the hell. It was with high hopes that we set out on our first mission: making bait. As we'd spent the better part of five hours seeking pogies with snagging hooks the last time out, it was with pleasant surprise that I learned that JJ had gone ahead and bought a gillnet. Between a few snaggies and a couple of sets with decent results, we set out due east to ye olde hunting grounds with the livewell flush with livies.

We found fog almost as soon as we made it offshore, but JJ knows these waters well and we set out to hit some of his usual haunts, almost all of which are far from the madding crowd. The names of the markers which we bounced to and then from are well known, but it's all mostly gibberish to me; NWC this BE that, SWC this, BC that. A marine alphabet soup of sorts, you could say I suppose. But then I was just playing hitman, and my navigational queries were limited to things like, "so dude, which way's land again?". You get the picture. Well, our morning did not go very well, with no fish seen on top and precious few marked. But fear not, said JJ. We'll find them, even if it takes running down the backside of the cape. We did see some life, but nothing to get terribly excited about, save for some big fun with a basking shark, but that's a story for another day.

So, true to his word, the man kept at it, and his enthusiasm was catchy. But then I too was somewhat confident, evidenced by my having toted along my traveling butcher's ensemble. We looked for sign here and plodded there and seemingly everywhere, but no joy was to be had. Frustrating, but part of the hunt. At some point I got to feeling green, and had to get horizontal for awhile, and as such, have absolutely no idea where we were (OK, so I'm lying, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it). At some point JJ killed the twins, and I got up to peek around and happened to glance at the FF. I saw a rather large mark, and pointed it out to Jay. "Bass?", asks I. "Tuna", says JJ. A hapless pogie was strung up and was being sent out back, with JJ pulling line off the 50 by hand inside 30 seconds. I turned against the wind to light a wakey-wakey butt, and just then, heard an excited voice blurt out "we're about to get bit, dude, get read..." And then it happened. I turned to see for a split second the color on a large silvery shape. Said shape turned and headed south, and the drag screamed. JJ barked, "WE'RE ON!", and handed me the rod.

I let out a war cry or three of my own (profanity laced war cries I won't repeat here), and got set to do battle. JJ said, "that's a size large, bud; all you. Now put the wood to him!" In situations like this I normally don't need to be told twice, and this was no exception. I got busy trying to rip his head off. In a nice way, of course. Not sure if JJ pushed the drags to the stops on purpose or not, but that's where they were, and I knew I could best him, so left them there. The fish was certainly incredibly powerful, but I'd spent 30 hours so far without getting bitten. This guy wasn't getting away if I had any say in the matter. As I fought the fish JJ struggled to adjust the fighting harness. We are of somewhat disparate pant sizes, let's just say, so that was interesting, but the man got 'er done... Well, longer story shorter, JJ got me locked in, and inside a few minutes I was yelling for Jay to get on the gaff. I think Jay was a bit incredulous, as before getting the steel he leaned over to have a look-see. Seeing the fish five feet down, I guess he then concurred.

We talked briefly about how the gaffing would go (a sheet show, most likely), and it was decided that I'd bring the beast up to his doom, and Jay would be putting the steel to him at the first available chance. As soon as the gaff hit home I was to drop the rod and jump on the gaff with Jay, and we'd double team getting him over the gunnel. And so it went. When the fish hit the deck, however, it was, well, in a word: bedlam. People talk about green fish? Well, once on board it became clear that this one's blue hadn't even been introduced to his yellow yet. With not much else in our collective bag of tricks, we did what seemed like a good idea at the time: we jumped on the fish like a couple of WWF flunkies. The WWF match mega-bonanza immediately turned into a tuna rodeo. With 420 + lbs. worth of the both of us on top of the fish we still got bucked and smashed and flung about by this now highly upset creature. Like Billy Bob and Tuff Jenkins, dueling rodeo clowns at the Austin nationals, we held on for dear life. Keep in mind the gaff, still stuck in his noggin, was flailing around wildly and clanging off of everything, not to mention the fact that I was still attached to the fiddy, the fish via the hook and oh yeah, the fighting harness. Man, what a scene it was. I'm yelling for Jay to get a towel for the fish's eyes, and Jay's yelling for me to get him my knife to stick him to get the blood pumping out of him.

For a few moments I don't think either of us thought it was a wise idea to let go, and we just held on and got beat up for awhile. I said something to JJ about introducing a calming voice to the fish, much like that SS soldier in Saving Private Ryan as he drives the bayonet through the American GI's chest, but I don't think the fish spoke German, as it did not work very well. In hindsight, it was a comical sight to behold, I'm sure. At the time, however, it sure felt like we were locked in a life or death struggle. But then I guess we were. Not our lives, of course, but I digress... Soon after, JJ slid the blade of my rather large knife in behind the fish's pec, and hit what he was after, a main artery. We were rewarded by a torrent of hot blood that gushed several inches out of the fish's chest, and did not stop for a full ten minutes. The whole time JJ and I were giggling and squealing like a pair of Catholic school girls who just found out the head nun just called school for the week on account of a measles outbreak. Man, a couple posterboys for PETA we're not...

Some time shortly after, as the magnificent critter's lifeblood drained onto the deck, the beatings of his tail and body slowed, and eventually stopped. The rest was pretty much academic. He and I hauled the beast forward for the obligatory hero shots, and then I set about taking care of the fish, which I did. We didn't have a tape handy--and who cares anyway--but we figure it was pushing 70", and maybe went 180 lbs.+, but whatever; I'm not a numbers guy. I do know that we had to cut the tail and fold it to get it into the box. Those chores taken care of, I proceeded to then yak for a few minutes (my signature move after battling large sea creatures, apparently), while Jay went about getting the copious blood and miscellany that had been thrown about back into some sort of cohesive order.

Ice was added, and we had a few minutes of reflection. Such magnificent creatures they are, we agreed, and said that there are few, if any fish that swim that bring such joy to men, both at sea and at the table. It was a touching moment. A blood-soaked, Pringle's chip puke-filled moment, but touching nonetheless. After we got ready to get back underway to look for another for Jay to fight, JJ insisted that I got that fish in the boat inside five minutes. I maintained it was more like seven, and that the fish knew he was up against a half Japanese who will slit a man's throat for a nice platter of sashimi, and the fish thus figured why prolong the inevitable... But no matter; it was a team effort and a damned fine day on the mighty and mysterious Atlantic. We didn't end up crossing paths with any other tuna, but that's probably a good thing. By the time the butchering was done and I got busy dragging my arse north headed home, we'd been at it some 15 hours. Anyway, good times.

JJ, big thanks, brother. Chalk up another adventure on the board.

Cheers,

L

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:
...my navigational queries were limited to things like, "so dude, which way's land again?".

...an excited voice blurt out "we're about to get bit, dude, get read..."

...we jumped on the fish like a couple of WWF flunkies.

...introducing a calming voice to the fish, ... but I don't think the fish spoke German,

...rewarded by a torrent of hot blood that gushed several inches out of the fish's chest, ...JJ and I were giggling and squealing like a pair of Catholic school girls ...a couple posterboys for PETA we're not...

...I proceeded to then yak for a few minutes (my signature move after battling large sea creatures, apparently),

...It was a touching moment. A blood-soaked, Pringle's chip puke-filled moment,

...the fish knew he was up against a half Japanese who will slit a man's throat for a nice platter of sashimi, and the fish thus figured why prolong the inevitable...

Hey KG, Are those quotes from Ernesto Hemingwhichaway's "Old Dude and the Sea"???

Man-O-Man, what a truly GREAT story. Just going out and making a Kill is completely lacking without a GREAT story to go with it. You did yourself and your buddy proud - Dude!

Great story and an outstanding prize. It's been literally decades since I've done any ocean fishing. That's what I get for living in the desert I guess.

Ken....

As Tommy Lee Jones said in the Fugitive while interviewing a suspect...

"Geez, that's a big fish"

KG

Good story but after you have now experienced the warm seductive breezes of more civilized climes, will you be so ready to sit in a blind again with ice,ice,ice everywheres?

quote:

Originally posted by Gerrypeters375:
KG

Good story but after you have now experienced the warm seductive breezes of more civilized climes, will you be so ready to sit in a blind again with ice,ice,ice everywheres?

Gerry,

On the way back in I said to the captain, "I can't wait to get you out on the marsh in January. You're gonna' have a freaking heart attack...".

Thanks for the nice comments, gents.

That's a toad Kamo! Congrats

Good story as well.

Reloader

World Wildlife Fund flunkies?????

Good story bruddah.....envious of your ability to get less sea sick than me.....but I ain't quittin' yet. And I'm waiting for my fresh tuna......and it better not look like the stuff in that not-so-fresh-fish store on the cape.

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:
World Wildlife Fund flunkies?????

Good story bruddah.....envious of your ability to get less sea sick than me.....but I ain't quittin' yet. And I'm waiting for my fresh tuna......and it better not look like the stuff in that not-so-fresh-fish store on the cape.

Worldwide Wrestling Federation or whatever it's called is what I meant. And I don't get less seasick; I just man up more.

We'll get you one, and with any luck it'll be on a day that the water is like glass. Plan on going hard mid-August when the bite is typically really beginning to heat up. It could happen. In the pic with the fish it was pretty flat, but we spent a few hours in 4 footers in fog. Not being able to see the horizon is extra B-A-D for those of us that suffer. I will say that the more time I spend OTW the less it kills me.

I'd still call it hunting. Different tool is all. A great hunt indeed!

Nice Bluefin!!! It sounds like you guys had quite the adventure, too bad nobody had a video camera (or maybe a good thing, huh?) That had to be one hot fish if you got him into the boat that fast.

I need to send this thread to my son, as he just got a job working as a deckhand on one of hte San Diego Long Range Fleet boats. He's been gaffing BFT and albacore regularly for the last month, but nothing as large as your fish. That fish looks like he'll go all of 180, perhaps a bit more.

Nice bluefin!!! Great story, you guys obviously had a great time.

I need to send this thread to my son, he just got a job as a deck hand on one of the San Diego Long Range Fleet boats, and has been gaffing BFT and albacore pretty steadily for the last month. Nothing that big, though! I'd say that fish goes all of 180, perhaps a bit more.

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:
World Wildlife Fund flunkies?????

Good story bruddah.....envious of your ability to get less sea sick than me.....but I ain't quittin' yet. And I'm waiting for my fresh tuna......and it better not look like the stuff in that not-so-fresh-fish store on the cape.

Worldwide Wrestling Federation or whatever it's called is what I meant. And I don't get less seasick; I just man up more.

We'll get you one, and with any luck it'll be on a day that the water is like glass. Plan on going hard mid-August when the bite is typically really beginning to heat up. It could happen. In the pic with the fish it was pretty flat, but we spent a few hours in 4 footers in fog. Not being able to see the horizon is extra B-A-D for those of us that suffer. I will say that the more time I spend OTW the less it kills me.

Uhhhhh......yeah chief, I knew you meant the wrestling deal. And you sure were "manning up" that time I had to avoid stepping on you when you were laid out on the floor of the boat looking green.

Well told tale. And a bloddy nice fish, cheers.

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:
World Wildlife Fund flunkies?????

Good story bruddah.....envious of your ability to get less sea sick than me.....but I ain't quittin' yet. And I'm waiting for my fresh tuna......and it better not look like the stuff in that not-so-fresh-fish store on the cape.

Worldwide Wrestling Federation or whatever it's called is what I meant. And I don't get less seasick; I just man up more.

We'll get you one, and with any luck it'll be on a day that the water is like glass. Plan on going hard mid-August when the bite is typically really beginning to heat up. It could happen. In the pic with the fish it was pretty flat, but we spent a few hours in 4 footers in fog. Not being able to see the horizon is extra B-A-D for those of us that suffer. I will say that the more time I spend OTW the less it kills me.

Uhhhhh......yeah chief, I knew you meant the wrestling deal. And you sure were "manning up" that time I had to avoid stepping on you when you were laid out on the floor of the boat looking green.

Just getting my wind back son, just getting my wind... And unlike you, I wasn't cheating, what with that thing on your neck...Plus, you didn't hear me begging to go back in to the barn, now did you?

CAelknuts, as a kid I'd have killed for a job like that; good on your son. Are you sure they're not yellowfin they take there, though? The SD fleet hits one of the very best YFT fisheries in the world, as I understand it, but I didn't think they got much into bluefin. At any rate, thanks. It was big fun. Something to do in between duck/other hunting season.



Thanks again for the kind comments, gents.

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:
...Plus, you didn't hear me begging to go back in to the barn, now did you?
.

Begging?......not my style(unless it's related to increasing the daily duck limit).

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:
...Plus, you didn't hear me begging to go back in to the barn, now did you?
.

Begging?......not my style(unless it's related to increasing the daily duck limit).

Duck limits? Move over so I can clasp hands and do a bit of begging myself.

Congrats on a great catch KG. Now tell me, how good was this on the table and how did you prepare it? Enquiring minds want to know
David

IMNSHO, there is no better eating fish on the good earth than fresh bluefin. I eat LOTS of it raw, as sashimi and nigiri (sushi), but if I'm going to cook it, one of the ways I do it is to take a few 1" thick slabs of loin, add a touch of shoyu (soy), some sesame seeds, a sprinkle of shaved green onion and fresh ginger and then toss onto a pre-heated, red hot grill that has been basted with oil to prevent sticking. Let the heat and flame lick over the slabs for no more than 30-45 *seconds* per side, and serve. It will be raw in the middle, and is pure, unadulterated heaven.

Ahh, Kamo Gari knows how to eat BFT!

Yes, I meant to say Bluefin Tuna. The San Diego fleet does get into some of the best fishing in the world for Yellowfin, and big fish too. What those who don't do this fishing don't realize is that the fleet often gets into good Bluefin fishing at this time of year. However, our Pacific Bluefin don't get anywhere near as large as those New England fish you guys catch. Most of the BFT they're catching right now run from 30-50 pounds. The best one I've ever caught weighed 51 pounds, but on a 25 lb. albacore outfit it was one hell of a battle. That fish kicked my ass, but in the end, he was the one flopping on the deck, not me! Son's 5-day trip gets back to the dock tomorrow, and word is that they've been into some good off-shore fishing so they should have some bluefin. They just won't be anywhere near the size of your brute. On the last trip, he told me they got into a school that they drifted with all morning, and the 30 anglers on board put over 250 albacore and BFT on the deck in an hour. Son said he was gaffing fish as fast as he could dip his gaff, throw the fish over the rail and pull the gaff out and run to get the next one. THAT is hot fishing!

quote:

Originally posted by CAelknuts:
Ahh, Kamo Gari knows how to eat BFT!

Yes, I meant to say Bluefin Tuna. The San Diego fleet does get into some of the best fishing in the world for Yellowfin, and big fish too. What those who don't do this fishing don't realize is that the fleet often gets into good Bluefin fishing at this time of year. However, our Pacific Bluefin don't get anywhere near as large as those New England fish you guys catch. Most of the BFT they're catching right now run from 30-50 pounds. The best one I've ever caught weighed 51 pounds, but on a 25 lb. albacore outfit it was one hell of a battle. That fish kicked my ass, but in the end, he was the one flopping on the deck, not me! Son's 5-day trip gets back to the dock tomorrow, and word is that they've been into some good off-shore fishing so they should have some bluefin. They just won't be anywhere near the size of your brute. On the last trip, he told me they got into a school that they drifted with all morning, and the 30 anglers on board put over 250 albacore and BFT on the deck in an hour. Son said he was gaffing fish as fast as he could dip his gaff, throw the fish over the rail and pull the gaff out and run to get the next one. THAT is hot fishing!

Great imagery, thanks for the facts and good on your son, friend! While I've not yet experienced the SD/CA tuna fishery, I know well how hot it can be. Guys I sometimes roll with have done the 2-5 day overnights there, and they said it was fantastic. If but I was born earlier though, and could have experienced the kind of bite seen below. AMAZING. Keep in mind that these 1940s era guys are using CANE POLES with NO REELS. Two part must watch vids!

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM93Mg8rtBM

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xsybqHEdKA&NR=1

My fish was a good one for me, but a brute? Nope, not in the grand scheme of things. Not even close. In fact, the one I am seen hugging is essentially a baby. To give you an idea, see below. As far as size of the bluefin here, you're right. This is not my pic, but one I 'borrowed' from another site I frequent. Guys I know fish with this skipper. Anyway, so-called giant class BTF start at 74" at the fork. This one went 850lbs, and was taken within the past couple of weeks. Impressive, wouldn'y you say? Now consider that the world record rod and reel BFT, taken off of PEI, weighed 600+ lbs. MORE than this one. Gulp!

On so-called 'recreational' vessels (all tuna chasers here, comm and rec alike must have federal permits), one is allowed one giant per season. So, I'll be keeping at it looking for King Charles. And when I find him, he'll be far too big for me to hug. BTW, standard bait for giants are harnessed live bluefish weighing up to about 10 pounds. Anyone who's ever caught bluefish knows it's an amazingly powerful and voracious predator. To consider that they're used as BAIT for giants says a great deal.



And just for a bit of scale, here's the eye of mine. The eyes on a true giant are about the size of a cantaloupe.



Cheers,

KG

you're a great story-teller KG! I envy you, as tuna are on my short list. it's hard to imagine even fighting a fish the size of the one you posted above, much less one of record proportions. congratulations on a fantastic fish and adventure!

heath

(I take it you didn't send off to grey's taxidermy for a reproduction? ;-)

quote:

(I take it you didn't send off to grey's taxidermy for a reproduction? ;-)

HA! Thanks for the compliment, and giggle!

So KG, he's gonna keep his eye out for you?
Hope you get to do this more often. That's a dream of mine. And yeah, even the 5lb Bluefish we catch in the Gulf are dynamite on light tackle. Chopper city when they're on top.
Cheers,
David

Oh no he didn't; not to a 2nd degree punmeister!

The crew has spoken, and the eyes have it.
Eye eye, Cap'n!
Charlie and I saw eye to eye on this one.
Eye, dios mio!
Why, eye oughta'!

I'll be here all week, folks...

Great stuff! I LOVE tuna fishing, pretty darn addicting. Should be doing my annual trip out of Ocean City, Maryland soon.

quote:

Originally posted by StormsGSP:
Great stuff! I LOVE tuna fishing, pretty darn addicting. Should be doing my annual trip out of Ocean City, Maryland soon.

Never been to fish MD, but you might consider trying it in your own back yard if you haven't already...

With a wave to CAelknuts and sushi fans everywhere, I give you a sample of the endgame.













We need an emoticon for sitting around smiling with full belly, enjoying the fruits of our hunting and fishing adventures....

Congratulations KG, what a fish, and man you can tell a story, I enjoyed your report very much.

Best regards
Aziz

KG:

Just got back to read your challenge to the fishing captain. Why don't I see a picture of his dumbfounded look as to how to deal with a paying client who has just asked him to visit the Viking hell? (They did believe that hell was cold) (Just kidding - In my younger days I did like to shoot once in a while at a duck or a goose)

quote:

Originally posted by Gerrypeters375:
KG:

Just got back to read your challenge to the fishing captain. Why don't I see a picture of his dumbfounded look as to how to deal with a paying client who has just asked him to visit the Viking hell? (They did believe that hell was cold) (Just kidding - In my younger days I did like to shoot once in a while at a duck or a goose)

Not a paying client, Gerry. The skipper is a buddy of mine. Heaven forfend my taking an enemy to any of my duck honey holes! Well, on second thought maybe I would. It'd be a one way trip, though.

Aziz, thanks for the kind words. Your reports are some of the best going on AR, so I appreciate it, and am happy you enjoyed.

Cheers,

KG

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:
I got busy trying to rip his head off. In a nice way, of course...

A blood-soaked, Pringle's chip puke-filled moment, but touching nonetheless.

Classic quotes! hahaha!

Great story, Gari! I really enjoyed the way you retold the tale. It's amazing how many of you on AR can spin a yarn better than 75% of the folks in the outdoor mags. But I guess that probably has something to do with you having to work to pay and prepare for your own trips, rather than have it "assigned" to you with all of the hard work completed and planned.

At any rate, great story. I live a little more than an hour away from arguably some of the greatest tuna fishing in the world and I only take advantage of it about once a year. Unfortunately, the last couple of trips have in essence been expensive boat rides, but still fun with friends nonetheless.

I'm not trying to steal your thunder by any means, so I hope you don't mind me sharing a couple of photos from our last (tuna-less) trip. No yellowtails, but we still brought home some bacon and a sun tan. This was out of Venice, Louisiana.

Thanks again for the story!

quote:

Originally posted by Kenati:

I'm not trying to steal your thunder by any means, so I hope you don't mind me sharing a couple of photos from our last (tuna-less) trip.

No worries at all; I love seeing great catches, and your local fishery is one I'd love to learn more about and try one of these days. You guys do the oil rig stuff?

Speaking of catches, if that lovely lady with the killer smile is your GF or wife, congrats on a helluva' catch!

Oh, and I'll see your snapper with a bass, and raise you a goliath* and a mako.








*Immediately released following hook removal.

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:
No worries at all; I love seeing great catches, and your local fishery is one I'd love to learn more about and try one of these days. You guys do the oil rig stuff?

Speaking of catches, if that lovely lady with the killer smile is your GF or wife, congrats on a helluva' catch!

Thanks, buddy! Yeah, we do the oil rig stuff too. I got certified to dive 8 years ago SPECIFICALLY for hunting the bigger bruiser fish on the rigs. The thought of combining fishing and hunting in one sport was just an unbeatable motivator for me. Unfortunately, I still haven't gone. I've been stuck with more pedestrian uses of my cert. like diving Cozumel with the wifey. My spear fishing friend moved away, but I met some new guys I hope to go with soon. Dangerous? So is driving to work, but no one has stopped me from doing that yet.

Shit man, that goliath is making my stomach rumble!! Delicious!! That's a good shark. We are absolutely loaded with them. I won't tell you what most of my friends do when they can't keep them off their hooks.

And the girl... yes, she's got a quite a smile, a great personality, and she knows how to fish. However, I'm fortunate to have married a gal that's got all that and a whole lot more! (Honey, are you reading this? hahaha!)

Here are some rig pictures and a couple other randoms:

Hooked up on the 17 mile rigs



The first time I went out to fish the rigs, I was impressed with the size of them.


I was also surprised that no one really gave a damn if we threw a rope around a leg and fished as long as we pleased. Most of the time, the radio operator on the rigs will chat with us and tell us how the bite has been for other boats that may have fished recently.


Here's a decent amberjack my uncle caught on a trip before last. I heard they don't eat them in Florida because of some parasite or something? Dunno. But we eat them here (which isn't saying a whole lot):


And of course, I have to back up my other tacky boastful claims...





Okay, enough trophy wife... back to trophy fish!

Great stuff, dude! We don't get AJs here, but the offshore canyons (~100 miles one way) have marlin, mahi, yellowfin, bigeye, swords, halibut (rare) BIG sharks and more. Painful gas bills and not somewhere you run out to with a rookie crew or a Mickey Mouse rig, but you've got to pay to play, right?

Ah, Venice. Beautiful pics. Very classy, and a great looking lady. Congrats! You certainly snagged a great one (pardon the fishing reference). My wee wifey and I got hitched on the beach on Nantucket at a place called Brant Point, then headed for the Keys (stayed on Duck Key a couple nights). Any guesses what my other passion is? Spent a couple days of the trip fishing, naturally. She enjoys it and comes on hunts with me sometimes. Love having her, as she's a trooper and something else.

Anyway, thanks for sharing. I see a potential for a trip swap one of these days!

Cheers, and tight lines to you.

KG

Since we're tossing around pictures of trophy fish, guess I'll throw mine in the mix.

My first ever wahoo (62" ~70 lbs):


My first ever red fish (44" ~ 40 lbs):

You'd be hard pressed to top that drum. All down hill from here, guy!

Great fish, and thanks for sharing!