2011 Tuna Season Summary

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Albie Back

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The tuna season is winding down so here's a summary of the trips we've taken so far:

1st trip, July: It was basically a rockfishing/tuna scouting trip. Rockfishing lasted about 40 minutes as we really wanted tuna so we headed 25 miles sw from Point Sur. We were able to troll up 4 fish that day.

2nd trip, Aug: 60 miles sw of Monterey Bay for 12 fish. The water moved out and we just couldnt connect. Fort Bragg was on fire this day.....shoulda, woulda, coulda.

3rd trip, Sept: Labor Day weekend, and this trip was a winner. FLAT FLAT FLAT conditions from Monterey Bay. We were able to run 60 miles in 3hrs. There was a lot of gear mishaps on this trip... lost 6 lures due to line snaps, bent my fishing net scooping a fish, base broke on one of my homemade outrigger poles during a jig strike, BUT came home with 26 nice grade fish.

4th trip, Sept: 40 miles west of HMB last week. The fish were around Pioneer canyon, and we came home with 18. On this trip we went from fishing boat to vessel assist. A fishing boat lost it's engine 8 miles from Pillar Point so we towed it in. I didnt take any photos but it was a sight to see.... a CD22 towing a 26' Osprey! I had 20 gallons of fuel left when we began towing and about 100 yrds from the ramp, I can hear my engine sputter. I frantically switch between the two tanks trying to suck up every last fluid ounce of fuel, and we barely make it to the ramp when my engine cuts out. Pheeww.... everyone is back safe and sound PLUS I made a new friend.

Hopefully, the winds calm down enough for 1 more trip. Here's a link to some photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67667401@N08/?saved=1

-Nam
 
Awesome! I'd love to go tuna fishing, but I don't know if I'd have the fuel range.

So where do you put 18 tuna in a 22 Cruiser? That must have been a crowded cockpit. Not to mention bloody.
 
Nam,

Congrats on the great year! Your research and guts to go and find the fish have paid off!! It just goes to show that the CD22 can be a tuna killer with great range....I hope we get one more shot at them this year!

Vern
 
Thanks guys! It's been a banner year in CA. OR and WA started the tuna season in July/Aug with 40-50 mile runs - weather permitting.

Rick, Vern & I compared mileage and he came up with 2.7-3 mpg on the runs. The CD22 gets 4-5 miles while tuna trolling. On the 40-50 mile runs, I bring an extra 20 gallons of fuel in portables and have plenty to come home.

Tom, yes my wife knows about the fish. As a matter of fact, she took the picture of the fish spread out in the driveway. :D The next morning, she helped cark and vacuum pack the loins.

Our tuna trips consist of 3 anglers and the catch is divided evenly. Any extra fish goes to whomever wants it. I place a 120qt cooler in the porta-poti area, and the cooler can hold 6-8 fish. We also have a Reliable 30x60" kill bag that is set up in the cockpit. After the tuna are chilled in the port laz, they go into the kill bag. The bag is placed in the center of the cockpit and 2 anglers can still move around it. We were able to fit 19 fish and still zip it shut.

Last season, I had considered selling the boat because of the speed and pounding on the tuna runs. Vern recommended the permatrim and the difference is night & day. Now, I dont hestitate to run where the bigger boats go.... all the while doing it on less fuel.
 
To make room for our catch (assuming we load up :D), we head and gut our fish soon as they die in the bleed barrel, then they get iced. We carry a 120 qt in the front of the cabin, 120 and 90 on each side of the cockpit. Last year, we filled all three with 21 nice grade for three of us. Next year, I will have a reliable bag to free up space. For me, processing more than 7 - 8 nice fish / person becomes challenging!

Vern
 
Nam , sounds like a really good bunch of tuna trips this year . The El Ninos of the late 90s were great off Santa Cruz and Big Sur. I used to run West Marine's 26' Fortier downeaster out to the canyons . It held 100 gallons of diesel and I could burn every drop.
What we would do when we loaded up is eat everything we could eat ,sashimi,BBQ with ginger soy lime marinade, and smoke a bunch . The smoked will freeze very well vacuum packed. The "in house cannery" would open as well . Pint jars with olive oil ,salt and a bay leaf and a Serrano pepper. That is good for 5 years or so if its seals correctly . That way if mother nature skips a good year you still have fish !
I have done that off Louisiana with blackfin and yellowfin tuna since moving to the South. I am going to try to get to La. this winter . Those fish [YFT] are 60-200 Lbs and will make your arms feel like they are going to fall off.
Glad you are enjoying that boat!
Marc
 
Hi Marc!!

I swear I heard the fish calling your name while we were at Sur... Marc! Marc! Come home!!! LOL

Thanks for selling me a winner - I'm definately enjoying it. Just say the word, and the loins will be on their way.
 
In the interst of fair trade, we need a seafood exchange program! That would be cool. Shrimp are happenimg now. Grouper is open for about 7 weeks. Let me see what I can put toge5her.
Marc
 
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