Gambler 24hr tuna 11/9

[Pennsy Guy]

At 9 PM the Gambler shed her moorings and headed for the Hudson canyon and a shot of 67* water with Capt. Bob at the helm. After some looking, dropped the hook and first yellow was in the tank before 4 AM. Shortly after I fought and released an immature swordy. From then until full sun-up, it was very slow with a couple of Blue sharks bothering us and a couple of more yellows on ice. NOAA's forecast was good until then but instead of blowing a little harder, the wind came on and it was honking causing the boat to swing with us switching port and starboard continuously. Both birds and yellows were boated during the day with too many lost--pulled hooks or saw offs from the severe boat swing. The shark problem was much worse during the day but we ended up with, I think, 28-30 tuna. Almost half were on the jig while the bait of choice was butterfish, occasionally a sardine caught. YFT's 35-60# were outnumbered by the Longfin 40-70#(pool winner). Water was clean. still some blue in it. A few squid were seen early, weren't eager to chase the squid jigs--a couple were. Crew was kept busy with so many tangles and difficult gaffing. Kudos to Capt. Bob for finding the fish, the crew--2nd Capt. Greg (Capt.74), Pete (Ol Pedro) Nico, John and Eric for dealing with a trying time and us.
We had a very bumpy, slow ride in taking a long 6 1/2+ hr. ride in. Let's hope the Nasty Lady doesn't show up on the 11/20 trip and it is as, if not more, productive.

[Duffman]

Nice report. Those are some big birds for sure!

6 1/2 + ride back! Ugh that’s brutal!!

[Ol Pedro]

Chuck, way to hang in that hat stealing wind. We only caught 2 squid. They were scared, in camo mode, and not eating the chunks that I was throwing on the up current side. With that wind and swell it was like riding a bull the last few hours. I still have the sways as I pilot the fv Lazyboy through my livingroom. Pink and white jigs were getting bit good. Floro leaders 60lb and lower were working in the daylight with lots of weight. Looking forward to the last trip of the season. There is a good patch of water covering the whole Hudson Canyon.

[Pennsy Guy]

Yea Pete, it was snotty, fishing and coming in, though I did sleep, was holding on to the bunk, almost air born a couple of times. Tried flat-lining but that didn't work, what with the wind and all; went to 3 oz and 40# main line/fluoro leaders with butters. They were the ticket to success, 1 for 2 finally. Slow learner I guess, but I do learn.

[captbogan]

Thanks for the report, Chuck

Considering the "sporty" conditions, I was very happy with our catch. I think Greg said we landed closer to 35+ tuna. We would have boated more if the conditions were better. It was a big swell from the east ESE, up against hard westerly wind which was up against a hard current from the ENE.

From 4AM until the time we left (1:30) I read steady tuna marks, 50 to 150ft. With those conditions, jigging paid off for anyone who put their time it. I comend the 90% of you who never left the rail. Everyone went home with fillets.

Looking forward to the 20th. I will try to see if we can possibly put another date in.

[AndyS]

Nice report, always tough to fish bait in a big swing.

[shrimpman steve]

Great effort and report guys. I love living thru you guys. I miss tuna fishin.