
Frank's Tuna
The season officially kicked off, or should I say peeled off as reeled screamed with jumping Dorado and deep diving Tunas.
Harry brought his group in from Oregon and Art and his fishing partner Susan(who is also his wife, lucky guy) caught the first Blue Marlin of the season a horse at an estimated 500 lbs (five hundred). Captain Elvis at the wheel. Lynn and his wife Jenne, who always seemed to be smiling, had multiples on Roosterfish. Captain Luis rang the bell two days ago with 21 big Dorado 20-30 lbers and three 40 lb class Yellow Fin Tuna to put on top.
I had the Yo-Zuri tackle team out on my first off shore trip of the new season made up of George and Frank. Just the day before they caught the complete mixed bag of inshore species: Jack Crevalle, Nurse Shark (8’), Horse-eye Jack, Roosterfish, Blue Trevally, Scorpion Grouper, Warsaw Grouper, Marquesa Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Pargo (Common Red Snapper), Triggerfish, Houndfish, and Bonito . We were making a full day of lots of 30 lb Dorados (Mahi-Mahi) and a 6 lb Triple Tail when we gave it one more toss of a live bait at the school of boiling Tuna. Sure enough as all the boats passed us on their way to the dock Frank tells George he thinks he is getting a bite on his live Blue Runner. George debates this with him momentarily and then agrees as the 50 SW two-speed gold International starts dumping line at wide open, thumb burning speeds. Frank, the Friendly Goliath Angler at an easy 6’ 3” headed for the chair, it was 2:30 in the afternoon and we just hooked up a very fresh, energetic big Yellow Fin Tuna, it was to make for a late return to the lodge.
The battle was unique as the fish came close to the boat 3 times in the first 20 minutes, unfortunately just out of reach of my sharp gaff. Without sounding (going deep), it lead us East then North while the big school seemed to follow us around. I was tempted to throw a popper into the passing school, but knew we had our hands full as it was. Then the fish went down, straight down peeling off line as it pleased, Frank struggled hard just to hold on. Watching the sun head for the horizon, Frank’s battle reached the first hour mark as darkness was on its way. I thought to take the chance, without much else to do, to push the drag past the strike mark which was risky as the stealthy, thin 80 lb Yo-Zuri Floro leader worried me. Not knowing where the hook set was, left it a mystery as to if the line was being chaffed by the small but very sharp Tuna’s teeth. I took the chance and pushed it forward, the rod bent over harder, bending what seemed to be all the way and the line held tight. As it seemed the fish would never come up Frank just held on like a prize fighter in the 15th round up against the ropes.
Well, all the waiting and battling payed-off as it sometimes does. The fish found its way to the top, came along side the boat and 2 gaffs found its side. In the boat, into the brine fish bag, and then with a slice under the gill and at the tail to bleed it out it headed home with us. Charging home with just the slightest bit of civil twilight to make our way, I radioed on the VHF to Gregg on the Lodge’s home base VHF. With its 100 foot antenna tower he heard me loud and clear. Get the digital scale fired up and keep our dinner warm.
We hit the dock at 7pm, greeted by a large crowd under the lights, weighed our trophy catch at 120.7 lbs, took a few photos and left Paulino to do the filleting. Shirley the chef would turn it into sushi and grilled tuna steaks the following night.
What a great way to start the season.
Enjoy the photos
Capt Sloan

george-rooster
