Effect of cold winter on tuna season?

[shresearchdude]

There is plenty of warm water out here now!!! inshore really doesn't effect out deep too much.
The Cetacean observer crew had a whale of a time over the last two days, hundreds of sightings between pods of dolphins, sperm whales, humpback whales, beaked whales, basking sharks, even I stayed up during the day shift long enough to see small pods of Pilot whales within naked eye distance of the ship just after sunrise!

[Joey Dah Fish]

Originally Posted by njboarder

It seems like the unusually long winter has delayed all species in general and I was wondering what your opinion was for tuna.
About to put down deposit for fall yellowfin trips and wanted to pick the best window as i can't afford to get skunked like last year. After I got skunked 2 out of 3, and only had a small longfin to show for it when i didn't, wife is not letting me go as many times as i want this year. so i gotta maximize my chances.
Thinking of booking first 2 weeks in October.
Any ideas?

If you got the skunk 2 of 3 sounds like your fishing the wrong boat brother

[nate chud]

spend a little extra and take a six man charter .Less people to deal with and more time to fish

[njboarder]

Originally Posted by Joey Dah Fish

If you got the skunk 2 of 3 sounds like your fishing the wrong boat brother

lol.. perhaps.
But to give them a little credit, I've done pretty well in the last 5 or so years I've fished with them. made out 2-3 times per year and got skunked only once or twice.. well until last year.
If I recall correctly, others in the fleet came up empty as well.

I did think about six pack charter, but I think I prefer to be on a larger boat when I'm that far out, especially fishing in October when the weather can get sketchy real quick.

[Ol Pedro]

Originally Posted by Joey Dah Fish

If you got the skunk 2 of 3 sounds like your fishing the wrong boat brother

I know the boat that NJboarder has been fishing on and they try hard. Everyone gets snake bit once in a while. I wish that he would come out with us more often.

[sportfishingusa]

GO EARLY AND DO NOT OVERNIGHT.. imho I have not seen a good night bite in a long time, many years, and to be honest, i would look south in the early parts of the year, if your looking for charter boat you can go from anywhere as long as you book someone looking to make a run... Call rich at jersey hooker, he will run where he needs.

But when they bite starts ripping in the washington, you are not gonig to see many people making that long ass run down there to catch you fish.

[dales529]

Every Sponser Capt on here will do you right. Personally we have been very fortunate last couple of years with Capt Dave on Jenny Lee Sportfishing. Check them out and I guarantee you wont be disappointed. For our crew the 6 pack charters work the best and I think to be successful the biggest key is being flexible on dates. None of these 6 pack captains will EVER put you in danger especially in OCT but again that's where being flexible comes in. We leave a 3 day window on either side of our preferred date to obtain the best bite and weather window. Sometimes we have even had to move it a week but it does pay off if you can do it. Of course going more often also improves your chances but if you cant talk with the Captains as the season develops, they hate getting skunked more than you!

I assume by your posts that you go with Capt Bobby on the Gambler. We have seen him on every trip so you are on one of the best Tuna PB boats if I am correct that is your boat of choice. Don't get "stuck" on the corner stern spot and having to book early. As the season develops there will be room to go when you need to and believe me other spots on the boats will "Catch" if you cant get the stern.

To each his own but I will say we have killed them both day and night and hope to repeat again this year. Usually fish 1st , 2nd or 3rd week of Oct on JL. PM me if interested as there can be last minute openings. Two years ago we had Bigeyes, Longfins, yellow fins during the day and 2 Swords plus YF at night. Last year we killed the YF at night (over 20 in the box and then CR from midnight to sunrise) Nothing on the day troll. So go often, go overnight and Good luck.

[Pennsy Guy]

As far as overnights, I remember coming in at 7AM with 126 YFTs, another trip same time with 106 YFs(both before limits), 2 yrs ago, same deal with everone with a limit...you don't really know if it's gonna be a day or night bit-you can only hope there will be a bite. Sometime it's a pick for the entire trip, sometime it's not...hell, if you knew where & when they would be on the feed, you could just run out, catch the limit and spend the balance goin' for tiles, mahi or lookin for a wolf pack...after doing 48-50 hr trips, I did an overnighter(24hr) and did it seem short!--but that's me....As is the general consensus, late Sept/early Oct is best ALTHOUGH first 2 trips I mentioned were on the first Tuesday after Labor Day...last trip was Oct 10...just go... Always plan on at least one trip blown out, maybe two so book accordingly, but you know that....and tight lines NJ....

[Pennsy Guy]

Ol Pedro, Dennis is going on his last trip on the first 48, hope you can make it....

[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.