$3000 fish

[ncboman]

We've been hearing about guys making a year's salary in a month fishing for bluefin tuna so my friend took his boat out one day last week and caught one 60" long and lost another big one. I forgot the exact weight, over 300pounds I think. Anyway, he hasn't got the check yet but it figures to approx 3 grand for that one fish.

This guy is one of the few true professional outdoorsmen I know and is amazing in his ability to haul down big bucks at times. One day last week he fished his 8 catfish pots and had 2100 pounds of kittys. This time of the year he can fish them one day a week and make quite a hustle.

[freedomrules3]

boy could i use a $3000 fish right now. i had 2 jobs get shut down recently due to no pay. seems i got caught right in the middle. not good on the pocketbook or the schedule

[eshoremd]

keep me posted please

[ncboman]

As I find out more I'll post.

I'm not a fan of big water especially when it's cold but for 3k a day to fish, I could change my mind. ;D

I understand it takes honker reels to handle these fish. When they see the boat, they put on a run that burns many reels up.

[eshoremd]

these are what we use

Penn Senator 114h's are world famous for handling the worlds most sought after big gamefish. Chrome-plated spools with stainless steel bearings and gears for long life in the marine environment. Penn Star Drag System, rod clamps and harness lugs. The best reel of its kind for casting and trolling for big game fish from dolphin to blue marlin. The 6 6" Senator 3860RF 6/0 rod is the toughest trolling rod made. Built from a solid, yet lightweight, fiberglass blank. The extra long foam grips will stand up to the toughest fishing. Machined aluminum reel seat, roller stripper guide and tip-top.
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Reel Features:

Chrome-plated spool
Stainless steel bearings and gears
Penn Star Drag System
Capacity: 525 yards 50# Test line
Ratio: 2.8:1
Rod Features:


6' 6" Senator 3860RF 6/0 rod
Solid, lightweight, fiberglass blank
Extra long foam grips
Machined aluminum reel seat
Roller stripper guide and tip-top "

we do use 80lb test. you can reel in a 300lb bluefin very easy if you ue the boat.

[Twanger]

"...you can reel in a 300lb bluefin very easy if you use the boat."

Ha! Maybe you can. Not me. On my buddy's boat (now in Tampa ) we use stand-up gear w/Penn International 50's or 80's & harnesses. Serious rods. These rods/reel combos go $800 or more.

I've had a 115lb bluefin absolutely kick my butt until I can't lift my arms, kick somebody elses butt, and then kick my butt some more. I pull a 73lb bow, so I'm not exactly weak. The fish happened to be tail wrapped, so we couldn't turn him. Almost a 3 hour battle. We ran over 3 miles with the boat trying to wear him down.

It's a serious rush, and I love to do it, but I don't know if you can make alot of money catching them. It costs about $1200 for a day-charter out of OC or Oregon or Hattaras. Sometimes you come home with nothing.

Here's a pic of my buddy's brother (who weighs about 250lb) and the fish...

[eshoremd]

walt, thats a nice fish. tuna fight like CRAZY dont they. you can really cut that down by using the boat correctly and using a flying gaff. there are shows on dicovery and oln, particularly that mako tournement show, were they bring 500lb makos into the boat in 20 min. its all about getting the fish close enough to use the flying gaff, stunning the fish and tying it up so it actually drownes, if its too big to bring on board.

[ncboman]

I got a full 1 1/2 hr phone lesson on boating bluefin last night. ;D

I'd like to know more about this flying gaff. got any links showing or describing it?

It took a couple of hours for my friend and several more guys to boat his 300+ tuna but he doesn't have a rod mount on the bow. His 26footer has a cabin up front and he ain't punchin a hole in it. He is looking at a complete setup to install over top though. The big bluefin have pulled chairs, rodholders, and mountings completely off other boats. According to him about all a man wants to handle is 34lbs of drag off the reel. A bluefin will wear several men out with that drag setting.

He wound up getting close to 3300 gross for the fish but then there was a string of deductions; shipping to Japan-around 400, commission to someone-almost 200, some other items also. I think his net check was around 2500.

I also found out he fishes for these out of Morehead City. The bay there is the best for getting into the ocean without eating breakers and current he says. That said he went to Oregon Inlet today going for the big bluefish.... hope he brings me back a big rock. ;D

I may go out with him later this month after the bluefin.

[eshoremd]

how do you live on the nc coast and not know what a flying gaff is?

www.billfishtacklesupply.com/TopShot/flying.htm#4

basically a regular gaff, shaped a little different, you gaff the fish and a rope is attached to the hook. a good mate can gaff them several times rather fast. they will beat the sh.t out of the side of your boat and anything around but they arent going anywhere. mostly used for time tournys. when its a must to get the fish in quickly.

[ncboman]

no, I don't know about flying gaffs and saltwater gear but you should see me work a creek with a flyrod.

I'll have to talk to Redbone about that gaff. I know he cuts the gillplate to bleed and kill the fish before boating. Beating the side of the boat is no good as the fish can't be bruised.

It must be dressed and packed with ice as soon as boated. Some various other requirements/procedures also but I don't yet know the details.

[Twanger]

NC - I saw a TV show on the nature channel about F&W guys radio-tagging big bluefin (200-300lb class) in the winter off Hattaras. I guess that's when they migrate past. I don't know about going offshore in the winter. Capt. & boat had better be top notch. I've heard that surfing the bar at Oregon can be pretty rodeo with a sea running. But then again, so can Hattaras. I've seen big standing waves there with only moderate seas going against the tide.

[ncboman]

Those tagged fish are the prize.

An extra $1000.