GUYS...I'm SICK. There is only one FIX and that is the TUNA GROUNDS. It's getting bad, worse than ever before. Usually, after a TUNA run, I've fed the need and I am at peace for a few days, sometimes a week. Lately, I get this uneasy feeling as land comes into sight. I'm completely consumed and stacking TUNA is all I can think about. It could be because my Defiance Guadalupe is being built right now and all I can think about is 115 gallons of water filled with 4 scoops of bait? or the 52 rod holders it will have? or the additional fish box that no other Lupe has? I don't know...but I do know this......I AM CONSUMED!
Suited up and headed back for another round this last wknd. Leaving my house at 2AM and getting home at 12AM doesn't phase me anymore. There is not one ounce of TIRED in me after a TUNA run, no matter how rough the water. Halibut Herb was gracious enough to have me on his boat this wknd to feed the inner primordial beast. I got there early and stood outside of Westport Seafoods, tote in truck, waiting for someone...ANYONE....to show up and fill the tote. I walked through the complex, searching, and finally found one willing soul. ICE...CHECK....hardly past the 5AM mark.
Loaded the gear on the boat before Herb and Christie even woke up. You see the problem now right? I know this isn't normal. I would live on the ocean if I could or maybe even in it! IT IS HOME!
Hit the bait dock and greeted Jose and Jose the jefe, discussing the Tani Rae and producing choves for the fleet. Got some great bait and ROLLED OUT!
What a beautiful morning with clear skies and bright sun. Bar was restricted to 26' and the USCG stopped by to greet us and let us pass. Love those guys and gals.
I was grinning from ear to ear. One of our crew members was grinning too but not for the same reason...
Sometimes you gotta pay dues to experience one of the hottest fisheries in the world. I would pay those dues every day if I had to.
The ride offshore had some 8'ers but they were spaced out at 10 seconds, no big deal. I watched the horizon as we continued offshore, looking for that first sign of life, working my eyes right to left and back, near and far. We finally hit the temp break and started working the area. The clear skies and waning gibbous had turned the gain on the bite down a few steps.
Working into the afternoon, we drew first blood!
We fished deep meter marks and got them to come up. Threw some extra weight on and got the baits deep!
Rich was a tuna virgin and ate that first heart like a champ! He grew up fishing every wknd with his Dad on the great lakes. I would fish with him any day. He was in awe from the second he hooked up. He appreciated every second of the day and every detail. Those are the people I like to fish with.
I worked the iron feverishly and PINNED one on!
We continued to make drifts over the school and hammer away at them.
Herb worked this fish for several minutes as it stayed well away from the boat until the very end!
HOGZILLA!
The bite was slow but consistent. I enjoyed every second and the fish were SUPERSIZED! We got to a point where we were down to a couple baits left and Christie said "we just need one more!" I grabbed a rig...
And blasted a swimbait into the wind...WAY into the wind. I left the bail open and put in the rod holder. Then I grabbed another Fin-Nor 5500 spinner with vertical jig and casted into the wind as well. I let it sink out and began working it to the boat. I watched the spinner with the swimbait....watched it... and all of a sudden, it hit high gear and LINE WAS FLYING OFF THE SPOOL! I put the jig rod down, flipped the bail on the swimbait rig, watched it bend over, and picked it up. I'M ON!!!
BOOM!!!
I got the call for last fish and delivered. Time to turn tail and head back to land. With the swell at our "6", we enjoyed a pleasant ride back. The sunset helped me realize how lucky we truly are to have this fishery and do what we do. Very few people in the world see what we see and experience what we experience!
We're going to get a south blow, but I'm ready to roll.....they're still here. Gettum while you can! TIGHT LINES MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!
TOMMY
Suited up and headed back for another round this last wknd. Leaving my house at 2AM and getting home at 12AM doesn't phase me anymore. There is not one ounce of TIRED in me after a TUNA run, no matter how rough the water. Halibut Herb was gracious enough to have me on his boat this wknd to feed the inner primordial beast. I got there early and stood outside of Westport Seafoods, tote in truck, waiting for someone...ANYONE....to show up and fill the tote. I walked through the complex, searching, and finally found one willing soul. ICE...CHECK....hardly past the 5AM mark.
Loaded the gear on the boat before Herb and Christie even woke up. You see the problem now right? I know this isn't normal. I would live on the ocean if I could or maybe even in it! IT IS HOME!
Hit the bait dock and greeted Jose and Jose the jefe, discussing the Tani Rae and producing choves for the fleet. Got some great bait and ROLLED OUT!
What a beautiful morning with clear skies and bright sun. Bar was restricted to 26' and the USCG stopped by to greet us and let us pass. Love those guys and gals.
I was grinning from ear to ear. One of our crew members was grinning too but not for the same reason...
Sometimes you gotta pay dues to experience one of the hottest fisheries in the world. I would pay those dues every day if I had to.
The ride offshore had some 8'ers but they were spaced out at 10 seconds, no big deal. I watched the horizon as we continued offshore, looking for that first sign of life, working my eyes right to left and back, near and far. We finally hit the temp break and started working the area. The clear skies and waning gibbous had turned the gain on the bite down a few steps.
Working into the afternoon, we drew first blood!
We fished deep meter marks and got them to come up. Threw some extra weight on and got the baits deep!
Rich was a tuna virgin and ate that first heart like a champ! He grew up fishing every wknd with his Dad on the great lakes. I would fish with him any day. He was in awe from the second he hooked up. He appreciated every second of the day and every detail. Those are the people I like to fish with.
I worked the iron feverishly and PINNED one on!
We continued to make drifts over the school and hammer away at them.
Herb worked this fish for several minutes as it stayed well away from the boat until the very end!
HOGZILLA!
The bite was slow but consistent. I enjoyed every second and the fish were SUPERSIZED! We got to a point where we were down to a couple baits left and Christie said "we just need one more!" I grabbed a rig...
And blasted a swimbait into the wind...WAY into the wind. I left the bail open and put in the rod holder. Then I grabbed another Fin-Nor 5500 spinner with vertical jig and casted into the wind as well. I let it sink out and began working it to the boat. I watched the spinner with the swimbait....watched it... and all of a sudden, it hit high gear and LINE WAS FLYING OFF THE SPOOL! I put the jig rod down, flipped the bail on the swimbait rig, watched it bend over, and picked it up. I'M ON!!!
BOOM!!!
I got the call for last fish and delivered. Time to turn tail and head back to land. With the swell at our "6", we enjoyed a pleasant ride back. The sunset helped me realize how lucky we truly are to have this fishery and do what we do. Very few people in the world see what we see and experience what we experience!
We're going to get a south blow, but I'm ready to roll.....they're still here. Gettum while you can! TIGHT LINES MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!
TOMMY
!
