Chunking the Lindy 9-/18-19 It doesn't get better than this!

[Free Spirit]

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John baker, my charter for the overnighter Sunday night called on Saturday to tell me that he had a wicked case of bronchitis w/ fever and could not make it. What to do, what to do... The new moon is 9/18, the weather will be fantastic- Time to call a few friends and see if they are up to doing a bit of tuna butt kicking. Bob Cope and Bill Dickinson, 2 charter guys from Reeds beach signed on as well as Bob Henchy, a friend of mine who I have known since I taught him 35 years ago filled out the crew so off we sailed. We had 5 flats of butters, 1/4 flat of sardines for hook baits, and my trusty Chumchucker, an automatic chunker that takes the worry out of steady chunk lines. By the way, if you have never seen one work, you will not believe how great the machine is. Chumchucker.com will get you info. Anyhow, we sailed off, as I said and got off to he edge about 5:00 P.M. We trolled a bit which I like to do so I can get a good idea of the conditions and where I want to set up for the night. There was a 2 degree break just inshore of the tip, the sea was oily calm and things looked great! I stopped in 50 fathoms and set up at 6:30 but inside I was not happ with where I was. We stuck it out for a bit and the first rod went off. Up pops a Mako of about 140 Lb. or so but after 2 spectacular jumps, he bit through the 80 lb. leader. thrilling but... I decided to fish along the edge and to drift since there was so little current and so we slid over and started chunking in earnest at 8:00. By 8:30 we had our first tuna. Now, Billl had never tuna fished and Bob Cpe had never done it either. They are"mud puddle " fishermen and could not believe how beautiful the water was off there. As Bob said,"I'm used to having the weight in my hand and not being able to see the fish I am trying to net." We could see the bait and some fish on my Raymarine Digital sounder and the first fish honors went to Bill and soon, he had a very nice YFT in the boat.


Bob Henchy soon added another as the night went on



Early all the fish were down 15 pulls and every fish ate a sardine. We had 1 pull on a butterfish. By 1:00 we had 4 fish and, Bill, being the old guy went down below and went to sleep. i was making short drifts of less than 1/2 mile from the ledge off the edge and most fish were between 58 and 72 fathoms. there were loads of boats there including 4 big head boats. Even though the fleet was scattered, I figured that ya never leave fish to catch fish so I stayed in an area of perhaps 1/2 mile all night. As dawn approached, the bite came on and everything was right behind the boat. The guys all had the thrill of having a fish take the line out of their hands as they were feeding it back. WHAT A BLAST! Anyway, on the next drift we had 7 tuna and the boat, the crew, and the Captain were all a mess. Here is a pic after that drift to give you an idea.


Here is Bob Henchy, tired but in awe of these great fish.



Bill not only caught the first tuna but the biggest. This fish was about 100 lbs. The biggest fish seem to show at the end of the bite for some reason.



We filled 2 150 qt coolers plus the commercial tuna box I have on board and limited out we sailed home on gorgeous weather at 21 kts. At the dock, we needed one last picture for the record. Oh, we did get a few nice dolphin as well. I almost forgot!


it was great to have such excellent fishing with good friends. It just doesn't get any better than that!

[paul708]

great trip..nice pics way to go guys

[striper101]

Steve,
Great report! Now that what I call a nice trip! Great PICS too!