Gambler Friday night tuna

[Ol Pedro]

Just woke up from my post tuna trip coma. We shoved off at 3:00 pm to beautiful weather conditions. Got to the area around 9:00 pm. I think I counted thirteen boats in the area. Capt. Mike put the Gambler on a drift. We picked a few nicer Mahi. I think we got our first yellowfin around 10:30. We had a shot of 2 nicer units . 1 between 60 and 70lbs and the other we weighed at the dock was 104lbs ! The customer moved from the forward quarter to the stern listening to Walt and Niko successfully navigating through most of the other fisherpersons. The fish settled in the port corner and the battle insued. They traded blows, the fish going deep and the customer pumping it back. After 15-20 minutes the fish started to tire and the fisherman got it in the up spiral. The fish shook it's head and made a few short runs to no avail. Walt and Niko double gaffed and hurked the fish over the rail. The first time tuna fisherman stayed on the rod and followed directions. A rental rod with 80lb mainline with a 60lb floro leader, and a sardine did the trick.
Chris S caught 2 more yellowfin on a jig which the fish bent. We got 1 more yellowfin on bait .I don't think we caught anything after 4:00 am.
The wind made drifting too hard so we went pot hopping. We caught Mani from minis to gaffers, a Skipjack, and a bunch of jacks. The ride home was bumpy but we got home.
Going to bed . Sorry for the one long sentence.

[Keystonefisher]

Now that’s how to write a report!!! I feel like I was on the boat watching the whole thing unfold. Thanks for the report!!!

[CODCHALY]

Hey PETE, just seeing this !!! Good Report !!! Hey Capt Mike !!!

[Pennsy Guy]

Pete, excellent report...104#!!!WOW..Think you guys started it, finally.

[Togfather2530]

Not intended to be a stupid question but is that 104#er considered “big” today for tuna? How long would that be approximately? Just a reality check for all those that watch wicked tuna lol?

[Jigman13]

That's a very nice sized yellowfin for the northeast these days. 104 lb prob mid 50" range, it varies. Sometimes they're long and lean, other times they're butterballs.

[Ol Pedro]

Not intended to be a stupid question but is that 104#er considered “big” today for tuna? How long would that be approximately? Just a reality check for all those that watch wicked tuna lol?

It's a decent fish for a yellowfin and possibly the fish of a lifetime for the fortunate fisherman. It's the biggest so far this season on the Gambler unless Capt. Bob bested it Saturday night. I don't think that yellowfin get much bigger than around 450lbs. Bluefin get much bigger. There are graders off Nova Scotia.

[Ol Pedro]

Pete, excellent report...104#!!!WOW..Think you guys started it, finally.

Chuck, I heard that the Gambler had 30 Tuna on Saturdays trip. Didn't get to talk to Capt. Bob for details . Good luck Wednesday. See you when you get in.

[Pennsy Guy]

Hey Pete, don't see those big, big yellows here on the east coast. Aren't they more regulated to the west coast and the Riveallagigedo Islands. Isn't that fishery closed now? Watched some long range videos with 200-250# YFT's coming over the rail.
Are we fishing together at some point this year? I have 5 more trips.

[Pennsy Guy]

Yea, I got that report from Shorts... See you Thurs. PM...hopefully we all have tired smiles...

[Ol Pedro]

Hey Pete, don't see those big, big yellows here on the east coast. Aren't they more regulated to the west coast and the Riveallagigedo Islands. Isn't that fishery closed now? Watched some long range videos with 200-250# YFT's coming over the rail.
Are we fishing together at some point this year? I have 5 more trips.

The Mexican Government has closed the islands so they fish the buffer zone around the islands and Hurricane Bank. I'm on Friday night's trip. Not sure if I'm on any of the 30's or 36's. Hope I get the call.