Tuna Jigging 2/28

[Sea Draggin]

It has been said in life, "Sometimes it's the journey, not the destination." That is the way I felt about this whole trip. We had been watching an unsettled weather forecast all week. When it came down to it, I decided to swing for the fences and roll, not matter what. Our target species was tuna on the jig and some deep dropping for snowies.

I had not been to Hatteras by land in about 10 years, although I had been by water a while back. I knew it was going to be a longer drive for me than normal. As I hit the 4 hour mark, I thought to myself that I could be pulling into my driveway in Beaufort right now. Luckily though, the drive was uneventful and an hour and half later I was pulling into Buxton to pick up Miltos. We ran on down and dropped of a load of jigs for the guys, then headed back for a few hours sleep.

The next morning Capt. Patrick Caton was waiting for us on the Little Clam bright and early. We hopped aboard and headed out the inlet. The swell on the bar was steep, but the little clam cut right through it and we headed straight into the wind toward the break. Luckily again, the keel on the LC kept us straight on target.

We got to the break and put out. The conditions left a lot to be desired. We had 3 knots of tide, 20 knots of wind and the rain. Heavy rain, spitting rain, cold rain, big drop rain, sideways rain and more cold rain. But with 5 keen jiggers and one dropping bait, we got it done.

Milt was the first with a grouper on the bait. I was dropping a 700g jig and managed to make contact with the bottom, but no bites. We made a short move down the beach to a tuna bite that one of the boats called about, but returned after feeling we had left the best spot, so we ran back up and started jigging again.

Then it happened. Zack came tight on the first tuna with a yellow glow jig. However it was not a blackfin and definetly not 30lbs. He made short work of it with the Stella. I got a lip shot with the small gaff, then Patrick put another big one in it and we hoisted Zack's Biggest Fish Ever over the side. It was a perfect 100lb class Bluefin Tuna.

I started to work the fish up and Patrick started us back toward our mark. The guys started jigging, as I finished up with the fish and it soon became apparent that the Potroast was the hot number. Over the next few hours we had a couple dropped hooks, a couple of broken knots and the spooling and destruction of a Saragosa. I had been jigging a 300g pink for the first hours, after switching from my deep drop bait, and decided to switch again and join the Potroast crowd.

My jig never made it down. I was hooked up to a 100lb class fish like Zacks, but it was mad. Very mad, and I don't understand why it always happens to me. But after being drug down current for a mile and half, the fish was brought boatside with the help of my 500g rod, Saltiga40 and 100lb windon.

Conditions were continuing to deteriorate so we moved into shallower water to look for bass, but it was cold and lifeless and we were becoming that way ourselves. We heard north of us the wind was building to 25NE and south of us it was 25SW. We were in a little pocket and decided to take advantage and head for the hill.

Awesome day, awesome Capt., awesome friends.


Getting set up.



The Money Shot - Zack's Big Fish



Me doing a little battle on my fish, before the release. The limit is one per boat.



The ride home



I have some video and there may be some other pictures that I will try to get up, but I have to run and eat some Toro tonight.

[hattrickll]

Nice catch, that must have been some ride home.

[Tenacious]

Congrats Jimbo, way to get it done!!!

[paul708]

nice pics, way to go
good looking fish

[NJNickA]

Nice going!! You called it on that potroast color!!! It looked a little sporty but at least you guys got out and and landed some fish!

nick a

[Joey Herring]

I have eaten toro till I can't eat no more.....I see why the those guys on the other side of the pond pay so much for it now!!

It's like butter...this fish had some fat in him..it's just rolled out while we were cleaning it.

[austin ensor]

awesome pics.

[shoefish]

Congrats Jim and crew! That's a beautiful fish for sure.

[Caveman Sportfishing]

What a trip and report especially this evening as we are in a total white-out at our house in NJ this evening with forecast temps in the mid-20's or so the next few days. Glad you guys made it out in less than stellar conditions.

[Double D]

Great report Jim, way to tough it out and and see your plan come together