I absolutely love fishing for giant bluefin tuna ! I cant sleep the night through as I lay in my bed thinking about what the next giant tuna fishing day may bring. I try to think it through and anticipate every possible screw up that could happen and to prepare in advance for it. Its no different in the off season, with the phone conversations with other tuna fishermen as we touch base. Yesterday while planning a hunting trip, Ray and I were sharing tuna experiences and building on that renewed excitement for this upcoming season. Even recently, at a visiting hours funeral service for one of the local best that has been called to higher fishing grounds, I was recollecting how Bob taught me some things on board “Rug Rats”, and I realized that I was getting re-excited as I told the story of one of those days.This off season is no different. The excitement levels are building. I am adding 2 additional custom fitted fuel tanks to the Marilyn S, to add capacity, and not have to transfer fuel while underway. A remote oil change station allows this older less agile fat man to change my oil filters without acting like a human pretzel in the engine room! As I type this report I have two brand new Shimano 130 two speed tuna reels looking at me and crying out to be released from the boxes and put to use. I have ordered another pair of Shimano stand up combinations for trolling and 2 additional Van Stall and Shimano spinning rod combinations for jigging. The tackle order list is growing. You can expect to see a squid bar construction video tutorial on youtube and the website soon.
I am changing something this year. I have never before given shares of tuna sales back to the recreational charter party, because I have always felt it led to a false sense of a payday or was used as a gimmick to entice the charter booking. Being that we are now landing more commercial tuna on the recreational charters, than we used to, I am willing to moderate that just a little bit. I will now return one-third of the proceeds, after expenses, UP TO the total cost of the unpaid balance of the charter for that day. I expect there will be many more large medium tuna caught on chartered recreational bluefin tuna trips this year as the fish are growing and all the 70-73 inch fish last year will all be in the now legal sizes of 73-76” ranges this year.
I also will be taking overnight and offshore commercial tuna charters to the further areas of the BB buoy and Georges Bank again this year, to very size limited parties of 2 or less. These trips are true “bucket list” charters, and for the angler that wants his absolute best chance at a giant bluefin tuna, one on one. There are very few choice windows of opportunity with the combination small tides, time of the year, moon phase and abundance of large bluefin in the area when these trips should be taken. The rate will be $1600 per day with a two day minimum. Departure times will be late afternoon the day before your trip to get bait and steam to the grounds. All of these fish caught will be retained and sold by the boat, without a share going to the charter. We do have a Canon video camcorder mounted on board to record your event, if you like. There are shortened versions of past charters posted on the video gallery at http://www.sportfishingcapecod.com/video/. If you desire the best chance at catching one or two of these great fishes, this trip requires planning and execution and must be done well in advance. I have already marked my schedule and reservation book for these very limited dates. I can assure you, the Marilyn S will be out there catching them or putting in our best effort. Will you be aboard ? My cell is (508) 237-0399 for questions.
Thanks very much,
Bruce & Marilyn S
