It's TUNA TIME!!!

[Johnnybear]

First of all I want to thank my friend Shawn again for inviting me. Thanks buddyhttp://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/images/smilies/cool.png. I had one of the best days on the water ever!

I have been wanting to get in on this tuna fishery for a couple of years now and my dream came true on Saturday. You couldn't have asked for better weather or better company. It was nice meeting our other deckhand and Shawns right hand man Sean. It was great meeting some other SFBC forum members like C.S and Firelight.

We were running 50 miles offshore to find the blue/ green water cutoff. We had a party of 3 boats going for safety. No contact to land from out there via cell or radio. We could radio each other however quite easily.

I took quite a few pic's and some video. Here are a few to share with everyone.

The captain hailing the other boats in the tuna party.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1513.jpg

The ride out early morning.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1533.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1543.jpg

Continued.........

[Johnnybear]

This fishing was totally foreign to me as we were trolling at around 8 mph. We ran 10 lines with 8 on the surface and two in the downriggers.

Some of the gear we threw at them.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1550.jpg

Thats alot of rods lol!

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1569.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1568.jpg

The rabbits doing their thing.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1560.jpg

Continued.........

[Johnnybear]

Trolled around for about an hour before the first one hit on the starboard rigger using the turd (damn that thing works on everything lol)!

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1573.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1574.jpg

One of three that were caught on the salmon gear. We were running 40# mono on the Islanders and using heavy backboned mooching rods.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1576.jpg

Continued..........

[Johnnybear]

Some albatross shots.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1581.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1582.jpg

C.S.'s boat.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1598.jpg

Another boat in our party.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1597.jpg

Continued........

[Johnnybear]

We trolled around for about an hour after the first fish was in the boat and hooked into a four banger. What a blast!!!!!!!!

Total excitement, carnage, and satisfaction all rolled into one.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1591.jpg

Here's a short vid.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/th_MVI_1593.jpg (http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/?action=view&current=MVI_1593.mp4)

More Islander catches.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1590.jpg

This sticker was rather suiting for the moment lol.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1605.jpg

Continued.........

[Johnnybear]

Biggest tuna went 37 lbs. Nice sized albacore.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1616.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1617.jpg

Group shot.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1619.jpg


It was an incredible experience and I am HOOKED on the tuna bug for sure! I'll be back out first chance I get.

Great day on the water with great people. Supernatural British Columbia style.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1626.jpg

Cheers,
Jb

[Marc]

Amazing John!

I like tuna fish sandwiches but don't think I'd be able to eat a whole one of those in a year.:mrgreen:

[Johnnybear]

Amazing John!

I like tuna fish sandwiches but don't think I'd be able to eat a whole one of those in a year.:mrgreen:

It truly was amazing Marc. This tuna fishing is a whole different ball game compared to salmon fishing. We're not having any sandwiches from these as we are getting them loined for steaks and sushi with the rest smoked.

[Sitkaspruce]

I am so goddamn jealous John!!!!!!!

Someday I am going to make out there, might have to bug you on going on one of your trips.

Amazing fun!!!

Thanks for taking us along!!!

Cheers

SS

[guest]

Very cool, guys nice catch, sure wish I could take part in that, if I lived on the W/C I would be out there for sure .... canner ready at home ...... instead it's salmon and Hallies for the odd time I get the chance heading your way.

Thanks for posting.

CT


Sure would like to see a video of the action from the take to the landing. Please post if you can

[srupp]

That is obscene....and like Sitkaspruce am jealous....man that looks awesome....

well done guys...

steven

[Bisonfirst]

Awesome!!! Looks like fun as well as some nice eating there!

[whitespringer]

Awesome experience! Would love to give that a try one day. How far into the blue did you go before you dropped lines? Did you troll the edge? More details please!
Thanks.

[Johnnybear]

Awesome experience! Would love to give that a try one day. How far into the blue did you go before you dropped lines? Did you troll the edge? More details please!
Thanks.

Shawn has a subsription to Terrafin and knows a couple of commercial guys.

http://terrafin.com/

It updates water temps etc. twice a day. We were looking for the green / blue water break. We hit it at about 47 miles out. It went from about 57 degrees F to 59 degrees. We hit all the fish in 60.5 degree water.

This was an exceptional day out there on the WCVI and it takes a bigger boat with a big fuel tank with all the safety gear to do this safely. We went with 2 other buddy boats as well in case of a breakdown or accident.
The pic's make it look like a cake walk but on any other day the wind or sea could be alot different and with just over a 2 hr run in things can change quite quickly.

Cheers,
John

[Ozone]

I have never used a rod and reel on them, just hand lines. Thanks for the reminder on how much they bleed. Did you see any comercial boats out there?

[Johnnybear]

I have never used a rod and reel on them, just hand lines. Thanks for the reminder on how much they bleed. Did you see any comercial boats out there?

Not a one Ozone. I take it you commercially fished for them before? We had two hand lines out the back on the cleats with bowling pins splashing around.

Cheers,
John

[Ozone]

Not a one Ozone. I take it you commercially fished for them before? We had two hand lines out the back on the cleats with bowling pins spashing around.

Cheers,
John

I have done some offshore sailing and caught them then. Onetime off the Oregon coast aboat 100 miles we ran into the tuna fleet (probably 25 boats) in the night, they made it very bright out there with all there lights.

[Johnnybear]

I have done some offshore sailing and caught them then. Onetime off the Oregon coast aboat 100 miles we ran into the tuna fleet (probably 25 boats) in the night, they made it very bright out there with all there lights.

That sounds like quite the experience! What did you use to catch them with?

[Ozone]

We had very simular stuff. Perhaps our splashers were a bit larger than the ones in the pics. We got the gear from Trotac Marine in Victoria. 2 lines just tied to cleats going whatever speeed the wind was taking us at the time. Ours didnt make it back to shore, on this trip that was still 7 days and the largest storm Ive been thru away.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh127/SVTreasure/DSC_0190600x399.jpg

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh127/SVTreasure/DSC_0201399x600.jpg

[Amphibious]

cute 'footballs', did you have some sushimi on the way back?

looks like a great day! i miss fresh tuna!

[308Lover]

Awesome pics! Canned one of these a while back. Just the white part. Better than anything in a can! I hear they fight like hell and swim like rockets, too. Jealous for sure.

[whitespringer]

Thanks John for the extra info. The seas look very calm for WCVI as they were in early August when I was there. 50 miles out in the usual would be ugly.
Thanks again.

[Salty]

Yo Jb I mean just ****ing YO buddy! That is insane, brilliant -> I'm in awe. :mrgreen:Thank Christ for these doldrums eh? One of these days, one of these days I'll get there, thanks for the inspiration bro.

[Gateholio]

Wow, looks cool! I remember when I was 14, we were kayaking through the QCI's for a month. In one of the channels, an eagle swooped down and grabbed a fish right in front of us, then took it to shore to eat. We went over closer to observe and take pictures of what we thought would b a salmon,and were astonished to find it had caught a tuna!! Unitl then I had no idea tuna was ever near BC waters! Your trip looks great, hope to get a chance at that sometime. :)

[srupp]

do the larger charters..ie 30 guys on a boat go out Tuna fishing?? charters??

steven

[Merch]

Very Cool. Its been on my list for a while.

What's the limit on those?

[Johnnybear]

do the larger charters..ie 30 guys on a boat go out Tuna fishing?? charters??

steven

My buddy Shawn runs Tofino Osprey Lodge and is toying with the idea of doing a few charters each year. I believe there are other charter operations already doing tuna trips if asked. Timing is the tough thing with this fishery. Trying to match the weather windows to the warm water opportunities is tricky.


Very Cool. Its been on my list for a while.

What's the limit on those?

DFO just put them in the regulations this year. 20 a day and 40 possession. I don't know if this is a good thing or not having DFO's claws in it. Time will tell.

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/fintable-tableaupoisson-eng.htm

Sounds like alot but try hitting those limits. It's been done I'm sure but it's not very easy lol.

[Johnnybear]

Yo Jb I mean just ****ing YO buddy! That is insane, brilliant -> I'm in awe. :mrgreen:Thank Christ for these doldrums eh? One of these days, one of these days I'll get there, thanks for the inspiration bro.

Hey man I waited 2 years to get invited out lol!

Yup pretty sporty seas out there that day.......:-D.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1612.jpg

You can still see the mountains of the Island in the background at 50 miles. You just get to see more of it!


http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1610.jpg

Very exceptional day out there for sure. When you get off the banks and it drops to 4000 feet the swell totally disappears.

[Brambles]

Very cool, Being an inland boy, I didn't even know we had Tuna off the coast of BC, very cool indeed. Thanks for the detailed step by step

[SimilkameenSlayer]

awesome story with pics!

bigger the boat the better, i would imagine, probally a big zodiac hurricane would be very safe and fast. thou hooks and hypalon would be a consideration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wKFsgbX60s

[IronNoggin]

Excellent Report & Pix! VERY much some of the Most Fun you can ever have with your clothes on!! :twisted:

From the SFBC site:

"TUNASHOOTOUT!!! SEPTEMBER 22,23,24,25

Event will be hosted out of Mills Landing (Bamfield) with a wrap up shindig on Sunday the 25. BBQ'D TUNA!!!

All we are doing is trying to organize a base event to chase these *******s as a group. We can throw some bux into a hat for biggest fish or whatever as well. Hope to grow it to the point of prizes, entry fees, ect. At this point though, most people really don't go so not sure we could do that yet.

Anyhow, there is a solid set of dates for any skippers who have been toying with the idea. There will be at least two boats going I know!!!"

Likely be taking this one in myself!! :twisted:

Let The Good Times ROLL!! :mrgreen:

Cheers,
Nog

[Salty]

Hey man I waited 2 years to get invited out lol!

Yup pretty sporty seas out there that day.......:-D.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1612.jpg

You can still see the mountains of the Island in the background at 50 miles. You just get to see more of it!


http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/Coal_miner/Fishing%202011/IMG_1610.jpg

Very exceptional day out there for sure. When you get off the banks and it drops to 4000 feet the swell totally disappears.

That's just nuts. You could count the days like that per year on one hand. Didja do any water skiing out there? lol

I know of one guy out of Hardy that was on to them past spring. He had commercial long liner buddys giving him intel and got in to some Albacore the couple times that he could get out. He runs a big husky 70s era fibre glass rig, maybe a Hurston can't remember for sure.. its a 26 footer with twin inboards and two of every concievable electronic gizmo on it. You want a bit of redundancy out there. ..

[Johnnybear]

That's just nuts. You could count the days like that per year on one hand. Didja do any water skiing out there? lol

I know of one guy out of Hardy that was on to them past spring. He had commercial long liner buddys giving him intel and got in to some Albacore the couple times that he could get out. He runs a big husky 70s era fibre glass rig, maybe a Hurston can't remember for sure.. its a 26 footer with twin inboards and two of every concievable electronic gizmo on it. You want a bit of redundancy out there. ..

Ha ha there were quite a few waterskiing comments for sure.

I hear ya on the safety stuff. We packed quite a bit of extra stuff on the Osprey 1. Last year on his second trip Shawn blew up one of his 135's so he sold the other one and bought brand new ones late last year. Sure nice having twins out there. He said he could still do about 17 mph on the single. Try doing that with just a 10 hp kicker!

I'm already looking at bigger boats........

Yup the only cure for this offshore stuff is bankruptcy:twisted:.

[The Dude]

Wow....think I might swing by the Island for some fresh Sushi!
Hate to ask, but what's the gas cost going 100 miles around?

[Freshtracks]

Ha ha there were quite a few waterskiing comments for sure.

I hear ya on the safety stuff. We packed quite a bit of extra stuff on the Osprey 1. Last year on his second trip Shawn blew up one of his 135's so he sold the other one and bought brand new ones late last year. Sure nice having twins out there. He said he could still do about 17 mph on the single. Try doing that with just a 10 hp kicker!

I'm already looking at bigger boats........

Yup the only cure for this offshore stuff is bankruptcy:twisted:.

Awesome report John ... definately looks like a trip for the 'bucket list'. So are you suggesting the Sculpin might be replaced?

[Johnnybear]

So are you suggesting the Sculpin might be replaced?

I'm just pipe dreaming:mrgreen:. Might look into building one around 30' long with a 10.5' beam then when it's finished selling the Sculpin just to power the damn thing!:icon_frow. I need a place to build it and it would probably take me a couple of years part time to finish it.

Ah yes dreams...........:-D.

[d6dan]

Great pics and Adventure Johnnybear!. They are delicious. I see you bled them well. Its good sometimes to get out for a different fishery.:-D.

[Salty]

I'm just pipe dreaming:mrgreen:. Might look into building one around 30' long with a 10.5' beam then when it's finished selling the Sculpin just to power the damn thing!:icon_frow. I need a place to build it and it would probably take me a couple of years part time to finish it.

Ah yes dreams...........:-D.

Pass the pipe buddy :lol: An old 30 ft crew boat followed me home last year at a price i couldn't say no to. Welded aluminum (was an old forest service boat actually). Its on the narrower side 8.5 feet was an inboard boat now wears a pod and a 250 yammy. But it is beat man! lol. The interior is now in the landfill and the house is riveted crap. She's a major, new sides and windows needed (good wa top was put on recently) and needs a complete interior and back deck. I ran her a bit before parking it and she's a good little sea boat, tuna ready I figure if redone. Just need the $$ and a shit load of time . ..:-?

[Ozone]

No contact to land from out there via cell or radio. We could radio each other however quite easily.

For those that are going and have a SPOT, they do work out there.

[proguide66]

Holy shit that looks fun ! was a deckhand out there many many years ago. Tempting but not wanting to go out with a single 'screw' on the back....umm..er maayybe..hehe

[Johnnybear]

Holy shit that looks fun ! was a deckhand out there many many years ago. Tempting but not wanting to go out with a single 'screw' on the back....umm..er maayybe..hehe

I'm probably going to go for it either this weekend or next as a buddy boat in a party. I'm running a single 225 Honda with a kicker. Might take a whole day to get in on the kicker if something happened to the main:-D. I would consider my boat bare minimum and have to pick the right weather window. Like Salty said you can count the days like we had last weekend on one hand lol.

Just waiting to see what these water temps are going to do and of course looking at the weather (wind and waves).

We burned around 60 gals of fuel that day. Mine packs 105 US gals. so no problem in the fuel department.

[proguide66]

hmm...I have a 225 yam,kick'r,150 gallons. I was kinda leary of the 225 after smokin the log 2 springs ago , still solid.The dealer swore the things are made for that impact...maybe 6 to/fro runs from Port to 7 mile so far since the impact , still puring.
One thing about off shore is how incredibly fast the weather changes. I remember the water like that while working out there, look west and see a thin drk line on the horizon , next thing you have about 7 minutes to change into your rain gear...makes for an 1hr/20 er 30 minute run home in a sporty a LONG one !:shock:
You guys see any blue sharks?

[Red_Mist]

Very cool adventure, looks like you had an awesome day for it. Last time I was out that far....40 miles off north east australia... I got my ass kicked.

[fester]

awesome!!!!!!!!

[kennyj]

What a cool experience. Thanks for the story and photos.
kenny

[proguide66]

Hey JohnyB,

did you learn what those tuna are feeding on out there? mackerel maybe? as well , how does the boys know when to hit them out there? is there a classic time? are they always out there?

[Johnnybear]

Hey JohnyB,

did you learn what those tuna are feeding on out there? mackerel maybe? as well , how does the boys know when to hit them out there? is there a classic time? are they always out there?

I think they will eat anything really. Those zuccini coloured zukers seem to work best is my understanding and the go to lure for our waters. I have been reading to try smaller lures and lighter leaders as the season gets later. We hit 3 of the 5 on the riggers just under the surface (probably about 17 feet down) with a "turd" hootchie.

It's all in the water temps and charts. My buddy has a subsription to Terrafin (see earlier post for the link) and knows a few commercial guys for intel.

September seems to be the "classic" month. I think they are there it's just a matter of how close they are for a run with a sport boat. I was totally comfortable running the 50 in the boat I was in and would be comfortable running farther in the same boat with a big weather window.

One guy out of Bamfield ran 75 miles and fished hard for them without a bite. Apparently he burned around a grand in fuel and when asked it he would do it again.........he said first chance I get:twisted:.

[Salty]

So I was in Pt Hardy today and ran in to a buddy on a job site and was telling him about your guys' luck Jb. He smiled big and said they're back out of there too from very recent reports outside, he's hoping to get out this weekend if the weather holds.

[Johnnybear]

So I was in Pt Hardy today and ran in to a buddy on a job site and was telling him about your guys' luck Jb. He smiled big and said they're back out of there too from very recent reports outside, he's hoping to get out this weekend if the weather holds.
Monday looks like a good day. Wind is coming down. Barometer is falling. I understand fish feed on a falling barometer. The big questions are where is the warm water? How big of weather window does one have? I'm thinking of booking Monday off possibly.

I think later in the month should be stellar too. Hoping that warm water sticks around closer to shore and the weather co-op's. Too damn hot to hunt deer this weekend so fishing is still on the mind. Going up for one last hurrah on salmon and hopefully some lings. If the weather works out might stay around for a Monday tuna run.

[Marc's Bro]

You guys are truly living the dream out there! Makes it difficult for me to get exited about landing a 4lb small mouth bass on my lake anymore. Great pics and recap of your weekend. Keep em coming! (i'm living my dream vicariously through you guys!)

[barf_fly]

Awesome thread.

[The Dude]

Anyone going back out for Albacore this fall? I might be swayed...........

[browningboy]

Looks like fishing in Mexico, that's cool! I could imagine that it would feel eery with only a couple of boats!

[scottwh]

You havnt caught a fish till you caught a tuna! I have been dying to get out in BC for them! Looks like you all had a great time! And to catch one on a center pin, even better :)

[big game chaser]

i had no idea there was tuna in bc! cool pics!

[Johnnybear]

You havnt caught a fish till you caught a tuna! I have been dying to get out in BC for them! Looks like you all had a great time! And to catch one on a center pin, even better :)

Yeah it was pretty cool catching them on the Islanders for sure. I hope to post a new 2012 thread soon!!!! I bought all sorts of tackle over the winter and safety equipment for the boat. Going chasing those addicting buggers this year on my own if I have to lol. Great fun and like Nog put it " the most fun you can have with your clothes on"!!!

There is a tuna shoot out in Bamfield this year that is taking into account folks that want to get involved with this fishery. I'm sure some boats will have opening's for deckhands etc. It is non derby style and prizes for everyone. Lot's of educational stuff going on and that is the main purpose of the event. Jeff at Mills Landing is the king pin of it all.

Check it out here..............http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/showthread.php?19984-Bamfield-tuna-shootout!!!-September-22-october-1

Cheers,
John

[scottwh]

Yeah it was pretty cool catching them on the Islanders for sure. I hope to post a new 2012 thread soon!!!! I bought all sorts of tackle over the winter and safety equipment for the boat. Going chasing those addicting buggers this year on my own if I have to lol. Great fun and like Nog put it " the most fun you can have with your clothes on"!!!

There is a tuna shoot out in Bamfield this year that is taking into account folks that want to get involved with this fishery. I'm sure some boats will have opening's for deckhands etc. It is non derby style and prizes for everyone. Lot's of educational stuff going on and that is the main purpose of the event. Jeff at Mills Landing is the king pin of it all.

Check it out here..............http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/showthread.php?19984-Bamfield-tuna-shootout!!!-September-22-october-1

Cheers,
John

Thanx for that John! Most of my holidays this year are tied up with my draws, however, when you get your boat ready for next year, I am more than willing to pay for all the fuel for a tuna fish LOL :)

[island grown]

I believe Jeff said it starts on September 23rd and there is about 15 boats going so far. Will be interesting to see and hear how it turns out. Sounds like a blast!!!

[Rhyla]

I LOVE fresh tuna. My favorite way to eat them is to take the straps and cut them about an inch thick slices. wrap bacon around the edge and panfry or (preferably) grill. Other ways I enjoy them is tuna steaks with fresh ginger and lemon. Or fried with a bit of terriaki sauce. Or plain.

Thanks for sharing your photos and story. Got me drooling and craving tuna now ;)