First Tuna! - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Big Game · 09-26-2010, 07:44 AM

Friday I went out on the Miss Maura with Moses and Elmo in an attempt to christen her with some tuna blood. Left the dock in Revere at 0530 with the NWC as our planned destination. It was a bumpy ride out, as the wind was blowing pretty good from the south making the seas short but steep. By the time we got to the dumping ground we decided to slow down, throw out some squid bars and troll the rest of the way.

Not long after we set up the spread, the way way back bar was hit. Being this was my first tuna, I was lucky to have a seasoned crew onboard that knew what they were doing (initially I thought we had snagged a pot!). Elmo and I cleared the other rods and Moses (with the help of his Shimano Tiagra 50) made quick work of the fish and had it boatside in under 10 minutes. Quick gaff shot and over the gunwale she came….46” and about 65 pounds.

Fish was caught around 0730 on a white squid bar w/ bird trolled around 5 kts a few miles west of the NWC. After Charlie was gutted and iced, we saw some other small fish breaking in the same general area, although that was the only hookup of the day. We did, however, manage to catch a half dozen nice cod on our way back to the dock.

Anyway, considering how dead its been recently, it’s nice to know there is at least some life out there. Can’t comment on what was going on at the NWC, as we never made it that far.

Thanks again to Mike and Mike, for helping me get some blood on the boat!