Gambler Friday night tuna
 

We shoved off at 3pm with 24 customers most of them tuna novices. There were 23 rental rods at the rail. Capt. Mike turned the boat towards the 100 square. After an uneventful trip we arrived at the area. There were a few boats anchored in the area with more coming behind us. Capt. Mike pointed the boat to the edge and headed up the line. A few miles up Capt. Mike found what he was looking for. There were no boats within a couple of miles. The wind was a little fast for a drift so we anchored up. We had our first fish on within 5 min. Unfortunately it was a large blue shark. This happened 2 more times before we put the first yellowfin in the slush tank. We picked away for a couple hours as the wind direction changed and our anchor slipped so we reset and started over. We encountered 2 more blue sharks who wouldn't leave us alone. Then a few shots of yellowfin and a short swordfish which was released. We Did most of our damage between 10:30pm and 5:00am. The wind had picked up and we swung back and forth having to change sides from time to time. We only landed one longfin at dawn. The learning curve cost us some fish and tangles were horrible at times with the swing. We ended up with 29 yellowfin between 25 and 40lbs and the longfin around 45lbs. The ride home was bumpy for the first 30 miles and improved as we got close to port. Good night, I'm going to sleep.

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

Cool, thanx for posting !

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

Good report Pete, thanks. Wow, 23 rentals, wonder how many will be back as converts with their own gear next year? More than a few, I hope...

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

Chuck, what a nice group of people. Most of them said that they will be back next season. I hope that they bring their kids. Nothing like the smile of a child when he/she lands their first tuna. Youth is the future of our sport. I caught my first two tuna when I was 11. Tuna has been my favorite from that first run.

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

I was 13... it was on the troll. Two years later i got my first on the chunk. THATS when I got hooked lol... nothing like paying out a floater and BAM! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz... my eyes lit up like Xmas morning.

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

Both of mine were longfin. I was on the New Seaforth out of San Diego. Caught them both on live anchovies. Saw my first come up and eat the bait. That was it for me. I used my paper route money to buy the ticket.

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

You are lucky to have been bitten at an early age. I didn't get bit until I was in my 50's 30 years ago---so much time to make up, so little time to do it. As the older guys can finally only reminisce, the younger set gets bit and that is so good.

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

Wasn't I with you when you were infected?

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

I got started in the '50's myself, 1950's.

Dang Chuck, fer a late starter, U sure know the Game, and Dang well at it.

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

OUTSTANDING report man!!!!!

23 rental rods and 30 put in the slush tank??!! Kudos to the crew. Job well done guys.

Gives me hope. Maybe old school chunking trips coming back. Andy…..you in…:p

Re: Gambler Friday night tuna
 

Quite possibly, Pete. Mullen talked me into going. 1989, 90 or 91 before I started keeping a journal. That trip was rain and big seas. I had a football on a boat pole straight out the stern--looking up at it on a wave face, then down in the trough. Otto ran the galley and the deck...everything in the galley was "5 bucks" and no coolers in the cabin. Next trip I had my own gear...