Hi Folks,Yesterday I released another bluefin tuna that measured approximately 70 inches long ! On Friday I released one about 1 inch shorter than that ! These fish are really nice ! The bite has really improved with the wind direction change and water temperatures cooling back to normal. The latest hurricane managed to mess things up a bit with warmer water temperatures. Currently water temps are in the 62-65 degree range where they should be and there is incredible bait (sand eel) supply in our waters. I will say that fishing has not been easy. Tuesday and Thursday I did not catch one! On Friday, I managed to catch 1 nice fish early in the morning, to take some of the pressure off. Later on in the day we hooked up to a really larger sized bluefin and were in for a battle. The fish took line deep into the reel, showing that this indeed was a much better fish. I use Shimano 50 wide 2-speed reels loaded with Spectra 130 line finger spliced to 130 mono and set the drags aggressively. Rocky’s brow was wet, and we had to wipe him down with a fish towel (he didn’t mind) as he battled his fish. We took some video of the battle and then released that grand fish next to the boat. I estimate his fish at 69 inches.
Monday was almost a carbon copy of Friday’s tuna charter, with the exception that we had to wait almost 4 hours for the first bite. But then things busted wide open. We had at least 6 bites on the squid bars, and hooked two of the fish. The first one was a decent sized fish in the mid 50 inch range, showing tht there are several year size classes of fish in the area. The second fish was a really decent 70 inch fish. Mrs Doug Darby was at her turn on the rod, so we had a scrapper on both ends of the line now. The physical strain of a prolonged battle was tough on her and I know she could have landed this fish herself, but she chose to pass the rod off to her brother Tommy who finished off fighting the fish. Photos of Liz and Tommy will follow on Facebook and on the Capeshores Charters website, www.sportfishingcapecod.com soon. We released this huge bluefin tuna also and I measured him twice alongside the boat and he measured 70 to 71 inches long !! This fish was 1 inch short of being a commercially salable tuna.
My last bass charters have been very productive as well, especially when I get nice fresh sand eels for bait. The fish are in the 32 to 38 inch range with an occasional 38-42 inch striper. There are mixed blues with the bass at tis time of the year and if one is seeking just bluefish,I have a spot for them as well. I have some customers that are waiting for the tuna fishing to “pick up”. It has picked up ! Guys, September is a great month to schedule a tuna or bass trip. The weather is cool in the morning and warm in the afternoons, winds are light, the crowds have left and the waters are still teeming with fish. Generally we do tuna and bass charters until mid October. Bass trips need to be of 7 hours minimum duration to be really productive at this time of the year.
Call 508 255-0911 for a reservation. Thanks, and good fishing,
Bruce & “Marilyn S”
