Effect of cold winter on tuna season?

[Pennsy Guy]

Originally Posted by Canyon Runner

Guys - long ago Sept and Oct used to be the best months. But no more. Over the past 8 years we've averaged about 25 yellowfin a trip in June and July and only 6-8 a trip in August and September. Last year wasn't even close. By July 31 we caught over 50 big-eye and 1700 yellowfin and started in very early June. From August 1 to October yes the big-eye bite continued but we only caught about another 300 yellowfin and we had an extra month to do it. In fact - we caught more big-eyes in August than yellowfin - go figure!

Our calendar would also prove this out. All our repeat customers know this fact about when the fishing is best because they are the ones that actually experience it year in and year out. As such, we have filled up both boats in June and July with only a couple dates left open while we only booked a single trip in September and October combined so far.

That's right - 75 overnighters already on the books for June & July and some in early August while we only have 1 in September booked and none in October.

What does this tell you? All the guys that have fished with us over the past 8 years know the better fishing is by far in June and July and if lucky spills over to early August. Fact is, we have no idea why the fishery change but only hard proof of it when we review our records and look at our calendar to see that we are 40 overnighters on the books for June already between the boats.

Now there's food for thought!!!!!!!!One problem is some of us only fish PB's for various reasons, and they are fishing inshore 'til some point in Sept...Quite a conundrum.....