Tuna Partners - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Homerun04 · 06-22-2005, 02:13 PM

Devils / FishOn / MakoMike / Others -
I am looking to team up with other small boats (20' footers with single screws) out of RI to make a few tuna runs this year. Mudhole and anywhere else we might find 'em. Anyone interested? PM me for tentative dates and hook-ups....

MakoMike · 06-22-2005, 04:38 PM

HR,
Well, my boat doesn't fit your description, but you're welcome to tag along any time I target them.

zacs · 06-22-2005, 04:44 PM

how fast/far do you run out, mike?

Fish On · 06-22-2005, 06:18 PM

Awesome! I am totally in for this. I am on vacation from 8/15 until 10/16 (sorry, not posting this to make hard working folks sick, it's just my turn). I will be able to bolt on short notice. Since most of my friends have jobs I'll also likely have room on my boat for one or two additional folks occasionally.

By the way I'll be interested in a trip or two during the vineyard derby as well leaving from the vineyard. I'll be on island all 5 weeks. Sandman might be interested as well if they are in close enough.

Looking forward to getting some tuna this year!

SM, do you know if our friend Dave K. that has the spot on the end of the dock posts on this site? He might be interested as well.

Vectorfisher · 06-22-2005, 06:30 PM

Keep me posted on this as I would like to learn how to fish for tuna.

Homerun04 · 06-22-2005, 09:09 PM

Great MakoMike - I'd love to tag around a real pro like yourself.

If anyone here's of any SBFT hanging around, let's PM one another and get a trip scheduled.

STRIPERSHAWN · 06-22-2005, 09:24 PM

im up in western mass (ludlow) but launch out of pt judith and run too the block in a 21 ft, would like too work with other boats on these tuna usally its a weekend thing unless i can get free ,but count me in shawn from ludlow

Duke41 · 06-22-2005, 09:46 PM

I am in. Keep the boat iIn Newport. Know my way around the Mudhole and other spots. Better to have at least one partner out there. Count me in. Pm me with your contact info and i will Pm you as well.

MakoMike · 06-23-2005, 06:16 AM

Zach,
I cruise at around 25-27 knots depending on sea conditions. Range is about 150 miles each way. Range also depends on how fast we get there and back, at trolling speeds I could probably triple my range. but I would have to take a month off from work.

zacs · 06-23-2005, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Zach,
I cruise at around 25-27 knots depending on sea conditions. Range is about 150 miles each way. Range also depends on how fast we get there and back, at trolling speeds I could probably triple my range. but I would have to take a month off from work.

umm...no way I can run 300 miles at 25 kts.

I guess I will have to tag along with someone else some day.

_Z_

Fish On · 06-23-2005, 08:35 AM

Zacs I think MM is in the minority of the folks on this thread. I cruise at about 24 knots (seas permitting), get just over 2 miles per gallon, and have a 100 gal tank. I can carry an extra 20 to 40 gallons if need be but I typically do not like to do this and will only do it if I'm planning to troll once I get out there. Using the 1/3rd out, 1/3rd in, 1/3rd reserve rule, I will only go out about 60 miles max and only on the very best days.

MakoMike · 06-23-2005, 08:56 AM

Zach,
Its not necessary to run 300 miles at 25 knots to catch a tuna. When they are in south of BI you only have to run 20-30 miles to get to the school bluefins. I thought you were just asking me how fast/far I could go.

zacs · 06-23-2005, 10:36 AM

Gotcha Mike.

Well, my boat was made before people would contemplate going that far on a center console. My under deck tank is 32 Gal, and I have 12 more in the console.

I can easily cary another 14 in jugs, which I do sometimes.

BUT, I don't trust my under deck tank, so I haven't been using it.

Anyway, I can cruise at 25Kts if the seas are 1-2 feet, max.

At 25kts i use about 4 gph, so I would say my range at 26 gals is 160 Mi. total, so I wouldn't really venture more than 50 mi from the slip. Once I replace the tank under the deck, I hope to get another 35 gal which would extend me quite a bit.

So, anyway, if they were only 30 miles from PJ, I would be all for it.

I know nothing about fishing for anything other than our inshore species.

What is typical gear? I know you need some sort of a federal license, but what are the details on that? If you know what you are doing, what are the typical success rates? Is a 19 ft. boat too small????

-Zac

MakoMike · 06-23-2005, 10:45 AM

Zac,
You can get your permit at http://www.nmfspermits.com/ IIRC its $26. Success rates vary all over the lot. Some days its constant action other days all you catch is a buzz and some rays. You are only allowed to keep one fish a day, on the bluefins. A 19 footer is marginal on most days, if I were you I wouldn't go unless it was a really peachy forecast. You're probably better off hooking up with someone who has a bigger boat.

ThrowingTimber · 06-23-2005, 11:08 AM

1 fish per permit or 1 fish per boat with permit?

Fish On · 06-23-2005, 11:31 AM

Good point MM, definately don't need to go that far for the fish most days. I would also agree on the 19 footer being a bit small. Also, if you are out 30 miles and want to move around a bit to find them Zacs is going to be limited. If we do this thing however, there should be room on one of the larger boats for Zacs. You would be welcome on my boat.

The permits are on the boat not the individual, so whatever the rules are at any given time they are per boat unless specifically mentioned that they are per angler on board.

bluefin22 · 06-23-2005, 11:54 AM

Yea I got the same as you Fish on 100gal tank and get 2mpg. So the farthest I would feel comfortable would be 30 miles or even a little farther if a buddy boat was in the area.

I do really want to head offshore and at least give it a try. I was thinking of some rod-reel set ups. For these BFT i was thinking 2-3 penn 114 w/ 40 lb test and 2 penn 115 with 60 lb test?? Am i thinking wrong or would this work.

MakoMike · 06-23-2005, 12:45 PM

22,
That will work for starters, but you might want to bump the 114s up to 50 pound test. Right now its one tuna per BOAT, and I don't expect that to change unless they shut down the fishery entirely. Years ago it was three tuna per man, but that was then and this is now.

zacs · 06-23-2005, 01:54 PM

hmmm... i have a 114H. What rod size/wieght do you pair it with?

MakoMike · 06-23-2005, 03:18 PM

Zac,
Best is a short "stand-up" type rod rated for at least 50 pound test. Otherwise, and rod that will take 20 pounds of drag will do. The longer the worse.

devils fiddle · 06-24-2005, 08:35 AM

Your best bet at getting into tuna is waiting for the mudhole thing to start up around the third week of august through october. Wait for those days that are light and variable, don't push it with the forecast no matter what size boat your in. When the mudhole happens there are many boats in that area and it is easily accessibe to boats around 20 feet. My tuna season starts next week and ends in nov.. The buddy system works well and if schedules permit would love to fish with other boats.

179 · 06-25-2005, 05:21 PM

I miss the Mud Hole and the BFT! Steve if I get up there on vacation you have a passenger booked on Saucy. For now I am still planning for my first YFT run in my small boat.....

Homerun04 · 06-25-2005, 06:23 PM

Anytime 179....just let me know.....

Fish On · 06-25-2005, 07:02 PM

179, When do plan on going for YFT? I'd love to tag along in my boat. Where do you plan to launch out of?

Homerun04 · 06-25-2005, 08:32 PM

179 mainly fishes out of the Outter Banks, NC these days....since he moved there a few months ago........

Fish On · 06-26-2005, 09:24 AM

Wow, very interesting. I hear the giant bluefin bite in Feb/Mar is great down there and tyou only have to go 5 to 8 miles out.

How's it been so far 179? Did you move down for the job or the fishing or becuase you were sick of us?

Any NC tuna stories yet?

179 · 06-26-2005, 12:51 PM

Fish On- well I moved down here for a couple reasons financial was one of them. Thus far I have mixed opinions on living and fishing here. When I first arrived in Feb the Stiper fishing was incredible this lasted until early March. Since then it has been pretty slow for inshore fishing. There are small Blues around, some very large Cobia which have lock jaw at the moment, and I hear Spanish Macks are out there. What I have quickly learned is that a 21' boat is a great option for New England waters but really has it's limitations here. Oregon Inlet is a nasty place. To fish this area safely I think a 25' or larger is the best option.

The offshore action here is incredible YFT, Sails, Marlin ( a 900lb Blue plus was brought into my marina last week caught 30 miles offshore), Dolphin are all out there now but it's a 25-mile run out and I haven't had a day off where the weather has allowed a run yet. The Giant Bluefin will be 8-10 miles off the beach but I did not get a chance to try for them this past season.

MakoMike · 06-27-2005, 02:29 PM

Well guys it looks like your first shot at tuna is probably this weekend out around the acid barge. I doubt I'll be fishing at all this weekend, we have guests coming. Good luck and let us know how you do.

Fish On · 06-27-2005, 11:06 PM

179,
Hope you slay them down there. Send us back some pics!

I wish I had the chance to fish with you for a day while you were here. If you ever come back for a cisit and don't bring your boat let me know. I'll take you out.

MM,

SBFT at the acid barge already???? Do tell....

MakoMike · 06-28-2005, 06:30 AM

Fish on,
I don't know it for a fact, but the fact is that they were spotted at the horns and off southeast light over the weekend, so I'm speculating that they will be in the vicinity of the barge this weekend. If I could go this weekend I'd give it a shot. If I caught I'd shut up about it.