View Full Version : Tuna bite this year


ThrowingTimber
03-01-2004, 09:30 PM
Anyone specifically target tuna? I've never hoooked up with one and albies dont count so when is the prime time? Maybe split a charter with some members when the time comes? :confused:

goosefish
03-01-2004, 10:46 PM
Lately in R.I. the best tuna bites are late in the summer and, even better, later in the fall. The inshore bluefin run can, however, explode for a brief bonanza late in the spring. I try to get out a few times a year, mostly going all the way out to the edge, a good five-hour run or so. Around here I've had great trips on the Francis boats out of Point Jude. Try to get on a trip during the week because the weekend trips tend to get too crowded. I try to go late in Oct.

MakoMike
03-02-2004, 08:35 AM
TT,
Re:"Anyone specifically target tuna?" All the time. There is an early season bite south of block island for the schoolie bluefins, sometimes they work their way in as close as the mud hole. That usually starts sometime in later may/early june. Fishing for longfins, yellowfins, bigeyes and sometime bluefins out in the canyons can start as early as may and last until the weather gets too cold and nasty for anyone to get out there. In the fall, there is ofen a run of schoolie bluefins inshore, usually starts out by the dump in late Aug. and works its way west with the butterfish/whiting schools and draggers. Keep in touch, you can jump on my boat someday this summer when we're targeting inshore bluefins.

ThrowingTimber
03-02-2004, 09:01 AM
Cool guys thanks for the information. Thanks Mike that would be really cool, I appreciate that. :D

Rappin Mikey
03-02-2004, 03:00 PM
Can I come Too-na

Iwannakeeper
03-02-2004, 03:40 PM
If anyone is interested in splitting a charter at some time this year drop me a PM.

I have always wanted to get into a big-'ol freight train. And lacking a boat, tackle and know-how to get out to the canyons means a charter it is.

-IWK

Notaro
03-02-2004, 03:45 PM
Originally posted by Rappin Mikey
Can I come Too-na

Don't you usually go on a boat with rick and chunks for tuna on Rockport?:D

Jenn
03-03-2004, 01:20 PM
If anyone is interested in splitting a charter at some time this year drop me a PM.

I would be interested. I keep saying every year I am going to do it and well I still havent yet!

Iwannakeeper
03-03-2004, 02:04 PM
Since there is some interest in splitting a charter, does anyone have any Tuna Charter recommendations?

JohnB
03-03-2004, 03:21 PM
Probably the most fun you could have going after rat bluefin would be the spinning rod fishery off Scituate-Plymouth-Provincetown. It starts in late Aug and runs til the first week or so in Oct.. The fish are all in the 40-80lb range so they take under an hr to get to the boat- in other words, they are possible to catch on light tackle. I run for them every day in the fall and I still get a kick out of seeing these things crush a popper and proceed to empty 300 yrds in a milisecond. To me, it is much more fun casting to the schools vs trolling. If you are looking for an offshore adventure, this probably isn't it. We pretty much stay within the confines of CCB.

If you choose to hire a boat for this fishing, you have to go with a center console. It is possible on other types of boats, but the dam things can go so crazy that you want to be able to do a loop around the boat quickly. The boat you hire should also concentrate on this fishery and have the highest of highest quality spinning gear.

Far as I know, the only other guy from the South Shore that runs full time on these fish is Mike Johnson. There are some other guys on the cape however. I don't know what the others charge but my trips are $500 for 3 guys and run 10hrs (5am -3pm).

I am sure some of the boaters here participate in this fishery - they could give you a good heads up.

JB

Iwannakeeper
03-03-2004, 03:24 PM
JohnB - thank you. I think you hit the nail on the head in characterizing what I am looking for, it sounds like a unbelievable time.

ThrowingTimber
03-03-2004, 04:41 PM
I've never caught a tuna and its my new years resolution. :D

The Mrs. face dropped on new years when she asked what my resolution was this year, I said I'mma catch a tuna. :D