tuna thick as thieves just south of Wasque - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

tuna4ever · 07-20-2003, 08:39 PM

got skunked in the canyons; but made up for it by bailing bluefin just south of Wasque on the way home.

The word is out on the Vineyard; the tin boat bonito fleet was out in force; everyone was hooking up.

Get out there while it lasts!

beachwalker · 07-21-2003, 06:09 AM

Where south of Wasque ?

We just got back from Canyons. Definetly no skunkage here........

Fish On · 07-21-2003, 10:13 AM

Yes, approximately where? I checked out the fingers just north of the dump Sat. and found no tuna. Lot's of bait, some whales, a big sunfish, basically lot's of other stuff but no tuna.

Enjoyed the trip though.

Mr. Sandman · 07-21-2003, 12:00 PM

I will make a couple calls and find out if this is true. Most guys during the OB shark contest (this past weekend) did not have nor see any tuna. They pass Wasque each day. I will ask around. If this is true I may have to take a day off this week!

How far south of wasque were you....

bassmaster · 07-21-2003, 12:03 PM

bonito where?? kinda early for that aint it?
alook at water temp off hooter will tell

Gloucester2 · 07-21-2003, 12:52 PM

Dave he's talkin bluefin

Bliz · 07-21-2003, 02:10 PM

A gentleman I work with took the $$ for the shark contest this past weekend... some 460+ lbs ???

Fish On · 07-21-2003, 03:04 PM

The winning fish was a 506 lb thresher, a new state record. I heard that atually the team that came in second won the calcutta, though I don't know how much money that was.

beachwalker · 07-21-2003, 07:21 PM

If it is Bonito one means, they are off Tuckernuck so probably wasque.

We didn't find big Tuna but Yellows and Longfin up 70 lbs.

No Blues.......

Fish On · 07-21-2003, 08:17 PM

I had a nice conversation with Capt. Bob Blanchard of Edgartown Marine Outfitters on sunday. Nice guy who really seems to know his stuff when it comes to tuna. He said that the reason why the yellow and bluefin tuna are not in on the shelf yet is because the type of bait they need is not here yet. The water at the fingers was loaded with bait but apparently not the right kind. The time and water temp. are right however. I was in 71 degree water that had transitioned from 67 degree water in about a mile, but no sign of tuna.

I have another trip planned second week of August out of Block Island. I'll probably hit the Cox Ledge area. Anyone have any experience with yellowfin in that area in August?

BW,

How would you rate a longfin as table fare, compared to say a yellow or blue?

beachwalker · 07-22-2003, 05:10 AM

Fish on,

Longfin is white meat like canned tuna and is very different from yellow or Blue. I like it but don't really have any tested recipes to share with you. I still have the freshy iced up.

There are plenty of yellows down south. They just aren't big'uns yet.

MakoMike · 07-22-2003, 05:54 AM

Fishon,
IMHO longfin are the best tuna for grilling. Just take some olive oil add a little salt, pepper and garlic. Let the steaks sit in it for a couple of minutes a side and throw them on the grill. Grill for about 2 minutes a side and enjoy!

Mr. Kav · 07-22-2003, 06:23 AM

i think yellowfin marinated in itailian dressing and grilled is excellent

Fish On · 07-22-2003, 08:37 AM

I'll look forward to trying the longfin at some point when I get one. For yellowfin you must try a marinate of equal parts white wine and teriyake with a couple tablespoons of both crushed garlic and ground ginger. I like to start with about 1 1/2 cups of each liquid, but be sure the marinate is halfway up the thickness of the fish in the pan you are using. Marinate 10 minutes per side. I also like to poke some holes in the tuna with a fork to allow penetration of more of the marinate. Grill to desires doness. I like the tuna on the rare side, maintaing it's moistness.

You love this recipe!

I have no problem with smaller yellowfin as long as they meet the legal minimum, but it sounds like you are going out to the canyons for them. Have you heard/seen any within 20 miles of land?

ps I recently purchased my bluefin tuna permit. The language was a bit unclear as it talked about all tuna/Atlantic migratory fish. Am I correct in assuming no permit is needed for yellowfin? Just follow the lmits of 27" and 3 pp?

Mr. Sandman · 07-22-2003, 08:49 AM

Fish on..

That recipe sounds great! I can't wait to use it.

As I understand it you need a HMS permit for ALL tuna EXCEPT bonito.

I have spoken to several in-the-know fellows on MV and they know of NO ONE who has gotton any tuna or bonito near shore yet. Offshore in the canyons yes...they are doing pretty well but nothing inshore yet.

There is plenty of bait around inshore and offshore. Lots of baby mackeral offshore which the bluefish are chasing but no tuna.

Also, keep in mind that there were 150 boats fishing in a shark contest last weekend and no one mentioned seeing any tuna and I spoke to a lot of guys down there.

This should change anyday, and esp. if Nantucket is seeing them already.

That said I am rigging tuna lures as you read this....

fishweewee · 07-22-2003, 08:49 AM

You guys are KILLING ME with all this talk of tuna.

I like my tuna RAW.

The bloodier, the better.

-WW

Fish On · 07-22-2003, 08:58 AM

Mr. Sandman,
Thanks for the tuna update. I too spoke with a few of the sharkers and noone saw any tuna. Have you heard that they are around Nantucket for sure? What have you heard for details there? I don't mind launching over that way when the weather clears up a bit.

Also, I wanted to share the site I use for checking temp, http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat.data2.html The data is updated pretty regularly and seems to be accurate. Last weekend I found 71 degree water just where I expected it. I wish it was easier to establish location on the printouts however.

Rigging tuna lures huh? I can see why. They wanted about $27 dollars a piece for large skirted tuna lures in Edgartown last weekend. Wow! I need to figure out how to make my own.

Mr. Sandman · 07-22-2003, 09:18 AM

Fish,

Thanks for that link. It is updated frequently and has a nice archive feature...its in my bookmarks.

I did hear that there were some bones around nantucket but it was a friend of a friend thing and I would not put any faith in that report. I have no other details.

A very good buddy (who's favorite fish is bonito) went out yesterday looking for just for bonito (one of the first place they show around here is Hedge Fence) and he only got a few bluefish.

I also think that someone from the shark fleet would have seen them if they were around. I bet we still have a week or two to go yet....hold of on burning lots of fuel.

I decided to do some engine maintence and laid up the boat this week anyway.

I can't wait to hear that the yellowfins and small bluefins are around within 10-15 miles of MV.

I have my finger on the fishing pulse out here...when things wake up I'll know.

BTW, I was out yester and this morning and it has been blowing like stink out here...When your hat blows off and you have not left the dock yet you know your in for a wet day.

Big'un · 07-22-2003, 09:24 AM

THEY ARE A LOT CLOSER AS OF YESTERDAY THEN SOUTH OF MV!! TO MY SURPRISE, JUST OUTSIDE OF MENEMSHA I LANDED A 30LB BLUEFIN!!! ON A DIMOND JIG NO LESS!!!! MY FIRST ONE EVER AND I WASN'T EVEN GOING FOR THEM. ON A BUDDY'S BOAT - WE HAD SEVERAL MORE BIG HITS BUT DIDN'T SEE 'EM SO UNSURE IF IT WAS MORE. VERY SURPRISING THOUGH. I'M STILL AFTER MY 1ST ONE ON FLY AND SPIN. I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO GET THEM THIS WAY. ANYONE HAV ANY GOOD PATTERNS FOR ME? WHEN ARE THESE TOONA LURES READY?

Fish On · 07-22-2003, 10:05 AM

Wow that's hard to believe. I'd love to see it. Take a picture?

bassmaster · 07-22-2003, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big'un
THEY ARE A LOT CLOSER AS OF YESTERDAY THEN SOUTH OF MV!! TO MY SURPRISE, JUST OUTSIDE OF MENEMSHA I LANDED A 30LB BLUEFIN!!! ON A DIMOND JIG NO LESS!!!! MY FIRST ONE EVER AND I WASN'T EVEN GOING FOR THEM. ON A BUDDY'S BOAT - WE HAD SEVERAL MORE BIG HITS BUT DIDN'T SEE 'EM SO UNSURE IF IT WAS MORE. VERY SURPRISING THOUGH. I'M STILL AFTER MY 1ST ONE ON FLY AND SPIN. I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO GET THEM THIS WAY. ANYONE HAV ANY GOOD PATTERNS FOR ME? WHEN ARE THESE TOONA LURES READY?

throw a rebel fast track out there or a rapala J13 in chart and silver.......

devils fiddle · 07-22-2003, 01:38 PM

bluefin have been showing up south of ri for about a month now and got as close as the acid barge off block in late june. over the weekend there was a good bite aound the 750 line south of montauk. some boats got as many as 40 fished hooked. as for temp charts try sstcharts.com it is updated three times daily and with the click of your mouse you can put in waypoints and will give you the lat lon of the points chosen. this weeks wind should shake things up a bit and who knows where there be when it all lays down.

Fish On · 07-22-2003, 03:25 PM

Dave,
great site, not sure how accurate the lat lon is but I'll surely be finding out. Thanks for info. on the bite! I'll be heading out of Block Island 8/8-8/10. It would be great to check in with you again around then to see what you've heard. Thanks!