giants in the canal

[beaver]

Does anyone know of a confirmed landing from shore? Doubt that any type of gear could hold a BFT 100lb+ from shore, but i bet a football could be taken with enough line and the right gear. I've handled some smaller bluefins (around 30lbs) with light tackle from a boat and imagine that they could be taken from shore. Any regulations from land? Could we see "Bluefin Tuna Landed from The Canal" on the front of the Globe this weekend.

[Mike P]

There have been a few school sized BFT landed from shore--notably, up in Scituate by a guy named "Striper Mike" that Van Staal used for promotional purposes.

Of course, you can't legally keep one if you land it, FYI. You need a Federal tuna permit to keep one, and they're only issued to vessels, not individuals.

[GregD]

My first post obviously but I'll put in my 2 cents. I absolutely saw a giant smash. I was fishing the east end Sunday night. I've heard of it but couldn't believe I actually saw it.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by beaver

Does anyone know of a confirmed landing from shore? Doubt that any type of gear could hold a BFT 100lb+ from shore, but i bet a football could be taken with enough line and the right gear. I've handled some smaller bluefins (around 30lbs) with light tackle from a boat and imagine that they could be taken from shore. Any regulations from land? Could we see "Bluefin Tuna Landed from The Canal" on the front of the Globe this weekend.

I know of a kid fishing in Montauk at Hither Hills State park that landed about a 30-pounder two years ago. It made the local paper and I think I heard that he got a summons.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by beaver

Does anyone know of a confirmed landing from shore? Doubt that any type of gear could hold a BFT 100lb+ from shore, but i bet a football could be taken with enough line and the right gear. I've handled some smaller bluefins (around 30lbs) with light tackle from a boat and imagine that they could be taken from shore. Any regulations from land? Could we see "Bluefin Tuna Landed from The Canal" on the front of the Globe this weekend.

We had a couple customers come in (with the fish) and ask "What's this fish, I caught it on a popper from shore?" back in '05 when the little 20# bft went nuts off Rhode Island. If there's a couple I know about there must have been a whole lot more. The tuna were simply suicidal that year and people were catching them on everything everywhere so in the end it's not that impressive since they were so small but it can happen.

In hindsight, I wish I had taken the time to hit a few from shore, for bragging rights if nothing else. It would have been VERY easy at several locations in Newport. You probably could have jigged one from Newport Bridge on a couple of days.

I know of a spot on Monday (not in RI) where shore anglers had a real good shot at giving 100+ # BFT from shore a try.