T-t-t-t-t-tunaaaaaaahhhh

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Im just not big on the sitting and waiting while trolling, I like to plug.

I'm serious about the charter, there are a few 6hr slots open and it would be a good deal to split with someone else...
My wife is a tuna nut, loves to eat them so that will be the bargaining point for me

Juts remeber, not matter how much ou pay for the charter you can only keep one of them.

[Pete_G]

Everything is working at the moment if you present it right; we got pictures the past few days of tuna with Point Jude tins as well as Beachmaster Atom Jr's in their mouths. They're definitely into topwaters right now though, to the point of ignoring metal at times. They'd demolish a Howdy almost the moment it touched the water.

The right guide definitely matters for these things though, it'll make the difference between getting lucky and catching one, or catching so many your arms hurt.

For reference, a lot of them have had larger bait in their bellies; half-beaks, squid, and other larger tough to identify stuff. Not sure if they're finding that bait inshore or what. Only a few have been full of peanut bunker. Think big with your offerings...

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

Dont forget me when you cut up your steaks! If I am forced, I will eat it

I'll bring you over some tomorrow - after Liam goes to sleep, I am too . Leslie just picked some up for mom...

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Juts remeber, not matter how much ou pay for the charter you can only keep one of them.

Yep, just changed 5 days ago...

[ThrowingTimber]

Sounds like you had an awesome day John!!! THats Awesome man! Cant wait to see the pics John!

[piemma]

Don't know if anyone mentioned this but, according to Tom Meade in the Projo today, this is strickly a catch and release fishery unless you have a Federal Tuna License.
I don't imagine the Feds have the time or personnel to prosecute a few guys taking school fish but thought I'd mention this.

[Fisherwoman]

Piemma, that is correct, you do need a federal permit, there are 3 different catagories, commercial to sell, Charter-Head boat, & recreational. The Permit can be purchsed online for $22. There are also size catagories depending on which permits you posses and limits on catch and retain. All football tuna kept must measure at least 27 inches- 72 inches from the tip of the mouth, over the peck fin to the fork in the tail to keep. the quota's on the number of fish you can keep, change thruout the season and right now it is one fish per vessel for recreation, 1 for charter head boat and 2 over 72 inches for commercial I believe.

But I gotta tell ya when you see these fish out there it is an awesome site and a total adrenaline rush!!!! Yesterday we probably saw around 300 + tuna from 6 am to 3 pm. We had alot of shots at them but they can be finnicky at times but thats just the way fishing for these tunoids go. But you can't catch them if your not out there.

[Fisherwoman]

One other thing to metion is that you are not even supposed to target and catch these fish with out a permit.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Fisherwoman

One other thing to metion is that you are not even supposed to target and catch these fish with out a permit.

Unless you are fishing exclusively in state waters (within 3 miles). This from the NMFS FAQs page:


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a recreational permit to fish for or land tunas, sharks, swordfish, and/or bilfish?
A: Yes, vessel owners/operators who recreationally fish for or retain regulated Atlantic tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack), sharks, swordfish, and billfish in Atlantic Federal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, must obtain an HMS Angling category permit or a HMS Charter/Headboat permit. However, General category vessels may fish recreationally for HMS so long as they are participating in a registered recreational HMS tournament and fishing under tournament rules. Vessels fishing exclusively in state waters are required to obtain the HMS Angling permit if they wish to keep their regulated tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, and albacore). Vessel owners/operators should check their state regulations regarding the retention of sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish in state waters.

[JohnR]

Ooooh - good pickup Roger ...

Of course the tuna all left this morning and headed to Jersey so no reason to try ...

[Fisherwoman]

Nice shots buddy. They are awesome aren;t they.

[Goose]

You lucky Bass-tid!!!

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by piemma

Don't know if anyone mentioned this but, according to Tom Meade in the Projo today, this is strickly a catch and release fishery unless you have a Federal Tuna License.
I don't imagine the Feds have the time or personnel to prosecute a few guys taking school fish but thought I'd mention this.

If that's what Tom said, then he is dead wrong. You need the federal license to even attempt to catch these fish. If you get caught casting into a school of them without a license you will get a hefty fine,

[piemma]

I tried to get the piece out of today's paper online but the stinking PROJO only has last weeks report. I will quote what Meade states.

"The fishing is strictly catch-and-release unless you have a federal permit, available from the National Marine Fisheries Service for $22....."

[JohnR]

OK - here are a few pics:

First one:




AH Squid:



Booger's Bart

[bart]

awesome!

[RIROCKHOUND]

Tommorow