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Random Quote: When halo rings the moon or sun, Rain's approaching on the run.
All the tuna talk has me pumped up to go get some. But I know NOTHING about how to catch them. I would be coming out of East Falmouth. Where would you recommend going from my area. I'm in a 26 foot CC with twin yammis. I have 125 gallon tank but the burn rate is high, no better than 2 miles per gallon on a calm day. More like 1.5 on the usual days.
I think I could get live pogies or snapper blues on the way out. Once I am at the location, is there any trick to rigging the pogies/blues? do you weight the line or just hook and drift?
I know folks can be reluctant to share specific information, but any help would be appreciated. I would want to give the wife a course plan and the coordinates of my destination, in case something should happen...
You have two real options for tuna. The first is to run 25-ish miles east to the tip of Monomy Island then run to the triangle formed by Crab Ledge, BC bouy and the wreck of the Regal Sword. Total round trip is about 110 miles plus trolling distances... These fish are really big. You need to geared up for them. Expect nothing smaller than 140 pounds with a real shot at fish over 200 pounds.... Oh ya, radar is a must. It gets very fogging out there
The second option is much more of a long shot unless you want to run 50 to 100 miles from land (Shipping Lanes to the Canyons).... You can fish the water south of Martha's Vineyard.... out about 20 miles. The fish are smaller (20 to 80 pounds) usually. But the fishing here is much more hit or miss...
Tell us more about the boat (mostly safety gear and navigational capabilites) and the fishing gear you own and I can give you a much more concrete answer.
Para, thanks for the reply. The boat is a 2004 R260 Robalo. Sounds like I'm not ready for prime time for the Chatham-P-town option. I have no radar. That is on my list for next year. The fishing gear I have is all in the 40 to 50 lb test range, which is why I wanted to target smaller fish. So that is strike two against the Chatham area.
20 miles south of the vinyard for smaller fish sounds right for the size fish I can handle. But the hit or miss aspect makes it less desireable. Is there an area in particular that is worth trying? And what time of season is best?
Early June (cold!) and Aug/Sept are the best time of year. I would get an offshore chart and run the 20 or 30 fathom curves looking for life (birds, bait, busting fish, etc). There is some life from Coxes Ledge all along the southern curves right now. Take a shot you have nothing to lose other than a lot of gas and a good day on the water.
You will probably come across some bluefish, and in Aug or Sept or some bones or ablies. The day shouldn't be a total waste.You can always hit Devil's Bridge
or Wasque on the way in or out to look for stripers.
East of Chatham:
OK so radar is not 100% needed but you better be 100% positive their will be no fog. A dicy proposal at best. When you say 40 - 50 pound gear, are you refering to gear that is meant for stripers (i.e. they put out 13 to 17 pounds of drag) or do you mean "50 class" reels (like Penn International 50's)?
I assume you mean striper gear that is meant for 13 to 17 pounds of drag (like Penn 113's, Shimano TLD 25's, etc). If so, then you will probably not be able to handle this years class of fish out east of Chatham. So try the run south.
Why does your boat only have a 125 gallon tank? It should be 210. You should be able to run east of Chatham on a full tank easily. I would recommend this weekend as a good day to start out based on weather. Otherwise there have been some fish south of the Islands. You can PM me for details there.
Why does your boat only have a 125 gallon tank? It should be 210. You should be able to run east of Chatham on a full tank easily. I would recommend this weekend as a good day to start out based on weather. Otherwise there have been some fish south of the Islands. You can PM me for details there.
As to the gas tank, you may be right... and you should know. How are you doing this season? I love your new boat. Did you sell the Robalo? I will shoot you a PM.
I just joined this website and just rigged up for tuna. I have two rod setups that can handle large fish. I have a 26 Hydra Sport with twin 225's, 9' 8" beam, 275 gallons of fuel, etc. New electronics (no radar yet), fish finder, live well, etc. I caught my first BFT in June on a charter and then seeked a new boat, etc. to extend my fishing options. I rigged up with spreader bars, daisy chains, etc. I would like to get my feet wet with smaller fish. (20 - 80 lbs). I make the run to Nomans Island sweatless and thought the tuna fishing may start 10 miles or so from there? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I have a house in Falmouth and currently trailering until boat gets bottom paint, etc. for 2010 season. Most of my experience is with bass, blues, etc. Any other locations recommended? I've heard Regal is good start as well.
Virgin tuna fisherman starting this week in Falmouth
Quote:
Originally Posted by Parapapam
Close South Water:
Early June (cold!) and Aug/Sept are the best time of year. I would get an offshore chart and run the 20 or 30 fathom curves looking for life (birds, bait, busting fish, etc). There is some life from Coxes Ledge all along the southern curves right now. Take a shot you have nothing to lose other than a lot of gas and a good day on the water.
You will probably come across some bluefish, and in Aug or Sept or some bones or ablies. The day shouldn't be a total waste.You can always hit Devil's Bridge
or Wasque on the way in or out to look for stripers.
East of Chatham:
OK so radar is not 100% needed but you better be 100% positive their will be no fog. A dicy proposal at best. When you say 40 - 50 pound gear, are you refering to gear that is meant for stripers (i.e. they put out 13 to 17 pounds of drag) or do you mean "50 class" reels (like Penn International 50's)?
I assume you mean striper gear that is meant for 13 to 17 pounds of drag (like Penn 113's, Shimano TLD 25's, etc). If so, then you will probably not be able to handle this years class of fish out east of Chatham. So try the run south.
Mike
I just joined this website and just rigged up for tuna. I have two brand new Tiagra 50w setups with 80lb test, 600 yards, etc. I have a couple of smaller setups 50lb test I would use for daisy chains, teasers, etc. 18' outriggers on a 26 Hydra Sport with twin 225's, 9' 8" beam, 275 gallons of fuel, etc. New electronics (no radar yet), fish finder, live well, etc. I caught my first BFT in June on a charter and then seeked a new boat, etc. to extend my fishing options. I rigged up with spreader bars, daisy chains, etc. I would like to get my feet wet with smaller fish. (20 - 80 lbs). I make the run to Nomans Island sweatless and thought the tuna fishing may start 10 miles or so from there? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I have a house in Falmouth and currently trailering until boat gets bottom paint, etc. for 2010 season. Most of my experience is with bass, blues, etc. Any other locations recommended? I've heard Regal is good start as well. Any recommendations appreciated. thanks in advance.
Welcome to town. Do not go south past Nomans now. The water has cooled significantly and if you do run into tuna, they will be giants. Go east if we ever get a weather window (damm wind!!!). Once you round Monomoy and get to 200 or so feet of water, start looking for birds and whales..... or you can just keep running east and look for the other boats. But fishing in a crowd stinks. Troll the bars on your Tiagras at about 4.5 knots.
Talk to Tim over at Bad Fish Tackle. He can point you in the right direction.
Best tuna fishing out of Falmouth? 
How are you doing this season? I love your new boat. Did you sell the Robalo? I will shoot you a PM. 
