Hi Folks,Its October and that is the time the giant tuna are in the waters east of Chatham, feeding on the herring that move into our area in the fall. Our efforts at monitoring the midwater trawl fleet seem to be having an impact. For the first time in a couple of years, there are decent amounts of herring on the bottom in the offshore waters. There also are giant tuna being caught every day as a result. Most of these fish are being taken with a live bluefish and some of the smaller boats are doing it with a live pogy.(menhaden) In addition, many large fish are being caught by trolling a rigged ballyhoo as well.
My last couple of charter trips trolling for bluefin have resulted in a skunk for my party. What really makes a skunk trip sting is when you stay an extra couple hours for your guys trying to pull a rabbit out of your hat, and in the last hour a boat right next to you catches 3-4 fish in that time period. OUCH ! No wait, because it gets worse !! On the way in we are overtaking and come up upon a small 20' boat captained by the son of a guy I went to school with and with the nephew of a good friend of mine for a crewman. They are not really steering a good course and pretty much zig zagging a lot. As we get closer we realize that he is towing a 700 pound bluefin behind the boat. So JD (my friend's nephew) calls me on the radio to tell me about it, and I get to congratulate yet another captain on his great fortune.
This morning I venture forth to try my luck ( I hope it changes) with a couple of guys to try to catch one of these big fat round butterball giant tuna that are being landed by the chosen "lucky" ones !!! The Marilyn S has yet to get a giant, as I really have not fished for them last year. Please wish me the aforementioned, and much in need of, LUCK !!!
Good Fishing to you,
Bruce & "Marilyn S"
