Inaugural Bluefin Tuna Killing

Gkross · Jun-10-2009, 10:02 AM

Intro - Well boys .... the time has finally come. Dust of your gear because the fish are here and in full force off Cape Cod Bay. Captain Chip arrived Monday from North Carolina and Sami, John Flores and Myself met him on Tuesday morning in Green Harbor for his first bluefin run. Things will only heat up from here

In previous seasons, you could hope for maybe a single fish on the first shake down run especially on June 9th. No one has gone out there and landed more than a fish or two on poppers thus far this season but Im happy to report that because of great boat handling skills and angling we were able to land 3 very respectable bluefins along with losing an actual giant. What a trip.

Point of Note: The fish are much much bigger than last year. We didnt have a fish under 63.5 and approximately 160 pounds. They were all insanely fat after gorging on macs. I highly suggest PE8 and leaders of 130 plus

Tackle used: Rods

Ocean Revolution Black Devil 100
Ocean Revolution Black Devil 200
Ocean Revolution Prototype Gt rods 85 & 78 H

Tackle Used Reels:
Shimano stella 10000HG, 18000HG and 20000PG

Swimbaits:
Orion StickBait
Craftbait 150g Popper
Shibuki
Shimano Ocea
Baby Runboh
Diawa Dorado Slider

Line
Varivas Tuna Line
Varivas SMP
Varivas Shock Leader 130 & 170

Jigs
Fc Labo Sl Jigs
Smith Jacknife

This sums up our day ....

Gkross · Jun-10-2009, 10:03 AM

The forecast was for rough seas, strong winds and rain but the day started with calm flat seas and great expectations. We arrived on the grounds and immediately spotted the tell tale signs of birds and crashing waters. We all struck out on first attempts at casting to them but our luck was about to change.

This should be a great season for all captains fishing those waters

Fish 1: My jig was dropped into the depths, hoping for some tuna love and I was rewarded. I was now tight on my first bluefin of the season after about a 15 minute battle the bluefin was boat side with Steel in him after an unusual fight as he came to the top of the water several times. I couldnt judge the size of him during the fight but I was really surprised at how big he was. Just absolutely FAT beyond belief. Hoisted him up for some pictures and we had APS first tuna on the deck by 8am. Reposition again and we all drop, John get hit, I come tight on a another but my drag was to high and I ripped hook out of his mouth

Estimated weight 170 plus, the fish was gorging on macs and had about 10 of them whole in its stomach

Gkross · Jun-10-2009, 10:04 AM

Fish 2: Sami does it again, I swear Sami has the best eyes I have ever seen and they do not disappoint. He spots some birds and directly under them is an all out tuna feed, huge boiling tuna all over 60" are just pouncing on baitfish. Sami and Cast directly into them but get no love.

John on the other hand hooks up immediately and starts fighting his fish. SIDE NOTE: John Flores is one of the best anglers I have ever seen, his tenacity and attention to detail while fighting is amazing. He clearly communicates what he needs while beating the fish down. Great job john, honored to finally fish with you. John beats down his fish and Captain Chip lip gaffs our second fish of the day for pictures before she is released to swim another day

estimated weight 170 plus

9am maybe ... Two fish landed

Gkross · Jun-10-2009, 10:05 AM

Holy sh*t it looks like a f****ng Volkswagon. Thats exactly what i said when I first saw it. I knew it was a good fish but non of us had a clue until we saw it.

I had been popping under a bunch of birds for like 10 minutes of non stop popping. At the time I was the only person casting. John picks up his rod walks over and casts right next to my popper, pulls it and get absolutely slammed

I was like "************** it screamed line and was definately fighting its ass off as john with all his power and might could only control it so much when it wanted to go it would just go and scream off line at will even at high drag. John got her close twice but unfortunately today wasnt his day the giant eventually worked its way free to fight another day

It was amazing to watch and gives me hopes we can land an actual giant as this fish was definately pushing 250

Gkross · Jun-10-2009, 10:06 AM

Fish 3: Landed

As you can tell the weather changed for the worse, sun and hot weather changed to freezing cold and raining. John once again hooked up and went to work. He did an amazing job landing his second fish for the day. This fish was a little fatter than normal but had no chance as John had the proto type Gt rod with 100 pound braid and heavy leader. This fish was johns largest landed but came in the quickest