T-t-t-t-t-tunaaaaaaahhhh

[piemma]

Don't know if anyone mentioned this but, according to Tom Meade in the Projo today, this is strickly a catch and release fishery unless you have a Federal Tuna License.
I don't imagine the Feds have the time or personnel to prosecute a few guys taking school fish but thought I'd mention this.

[Fisherwoman]

Piemma, that is correct, you do need a federal permit, there are 3 different catagories, commercial to sell, Charter-Head boat, & recreational. The Permit can be purchsed online for $22. There are also size catagories depending on which permits you posses and limits on catch and retain. All football tuna kept must measure at least 27 inches- 72 inches from the tip of the mouth, over the peck fin to the fork in the tail to keep. the quota's on the number of fish you can keep, change thruout the season and right now it is one fish per vessel for recreation, 1 for charter head boat and 2 over 72 inches for commercial I believe.

But I gotta tell ya when you see these fish out there it is an awesome site and a total adrenaline rush!!!! Yesterday we probably saw around 300 + tuna from 6 am to 3 pm. We had alot of shots at them but they can be finnicky at times but thats just the way fishing for these tunoids go. But you can't catch them if your not out there.

[Fisherwoman]

One other thing to metion is that you are not even supposed to target and catch these fish with out a permit.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Fisherwoman

One other thing to metion is that you are not even supposed to target and catch these fish with out a permit.

Unless you are fishing exclusively in state waters (within 3 miles). This from the NMFS FAQs page:


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a recreational permit to fish for or land tunas, sharks, swordfish, and/or bilfish?
A: Yes, vessel owners/operators who recreationally fish for or retain regulated Atlantic tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack), sharks, swordfish, and billfish in Atlantic Federal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, must obtain an HMS Angling category permit or a HMS Charter/Headboat permit. However, General category vessels may fish recreationally for HMS so long as they are participating in a registered recreational HMS tournament and fishing under tournament rules. Vessels fishing exclusively in state waters are required to obtain the HMS Angling permit if they wish to keep their regulated tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, and albacore). Vessel owners/operators should check their state regulations regarding the retention of sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish in state waters.

[JohnR]

Ooooh - good pickup Roger ...

Of course the tuna all left this morning and headed to Jersey so no reason to try ...

[Fisherwoman]

Nice shots buddy. They are awesome aren;t they.

[Goose]

You lucky Bass-tid!!!

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by piemma

Don't know if anyone mentioned this but, according to Tom Meade in the Projo today, this is strickly a catch and release fishery unless you have a Federal Tuna License.
I don't imagine the Feds have the time or personnel to prosecute a few guys taking school fish but thought I'd mention this.

If that's what Tom said, then he is dead wrong. You need the federal license to even attempt to catch these fish. If you get caught casting into a school of them without a license you will get a hefty fine,

[piemma]

I tried to get the piece out of today's paper online but the stinking PROJO only has last weeks report. I will quote what Meade states.

"The fishing is strictly catch-and-release unless you have a federal permit, available from the National Marine Fisheries Service for $22....."

[JohnR]

OK - here are a few pics:

First one:




AH Squid:



Booger's Bart

[bart]

awesome!

[RIROCKHOUND]

Tommorow