Best way to release a tuna?

[backman]

With all the discussion about quota's and limits my mind is in a tizzy. I'm going to be out on the Bank as soon as possible in my Ducky Boat looking for Charlie.

I'm geared to the max with my Stiffy Rod and my Stump Puller reel. I have Kevlar line and the Best of the Best lures. I can blast and cast with the best of them because my engines are Heavy Metal with Heavy Thrust.

In years past I used to Slay to the tune of Killer by Queen. Now I need to look to my kinder gentler side and find my inner tender core.

When I get Charley to the boat what is the best way to release?

Also - if Charley doesn't look so good; is pale or is a bit bloody at the mouth - is it OK to keep him if I keep it extra special secret? Or is it OK to sneak him back to the dock in quarters and go to the nearest restaurant to peddle my warea?

Confused in Cans-***.

[horsemackeral]

With all the discussion about quota's and limits my mind is in a tizzy. I'm going to be out on the Bank as soon as possible in my Ducky Boat looking for Charlie.

I'm geared to the max with my Stiffy Rod and my Stump Puller reel. I have Kevlar line and the Best of the Best lures. I can blast and cast with the best of them because my engines are Heavy Metal with Heavy Thrust.

In years past I used to Slay to the tune of Killer by Queen. Now I need to look to my kinder gentler side and find my inner tender core.

When I get Charley to the boat what is the best way to release?

Also - if Charley doesn't look so good; is pale or is a bit bloody at the mouth - is it OK to keep him if I keep it extra special secret? Or is it OK to sneak him back to the dock in quarters and go to the nearest restaurant to peddle my warea?

Confused in Cans-***.

my 2 cents: I would not want to be caught with a fish that violated slot limits. fines are steep.

OK....- joke on me....

[On The Edge]

Alive !!!!!!
Hope to see you south of the islands again this season LB

[Neverlift]

Priceless

[scbaseth]

Use the appropriate gear, use a circle hook, get him in quick, lip gaff, swim until he looks ready to take off (don't be impatient, I've swam fish for an hour to ensure a healthy release), and release. Getting the hook out is good (recommend investing in or building a long hook remover), but if it means that you'll have to put the fish at risk then let it rust out. Last year there was a great article in a new england magazine, but I can't remember which magazine it was. I'm sure someone here will remember, it was a great article. Also in regard to sneaking fish in, there should really be no reason to sneak in a fish. You won't be harpooning it or gaffing it anywhere that it can kill it. If you are fighting a fish with appropriate amounts of drag, and it takes more than 30 minutes or so to get color on the fish, my guess is that its too big for you to keep so the right thing to do is button down the drag, palm the spool, and pop it off. Either way, the fines are too steep and the chance of the fish surviving are too great to justify keeping it illegally. If you want tuna and can't catch it legally, make friends with the guy on the dock thats luckier out there than you or go buy it.

[stew]

Why Larry? Why do you have to do this? With all the other BS... Why???? But I do see your twisted humor. Capt. Eric

[LeeG]

Thanks Larry!

[Block and Tackle]

Stick it and worry about it later.

[28Conquest]

heh heh - see this one: http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-...-offshore.html

[Capt Hawk]

I usually try to knock them off the hook with my harpoon!