Just Getting started

[stinky1]

Hello everyone. I've been lurking and learning on here for a while and with winter approaching, its time for me to begin my planning for my winter projects! I want to take a stab at tuna fishing on stellwagen next year. let me start by saying that as far a tuna goes, I'm entry level in every way. I run a small 20 boat with a new suzuki 140 4 stroke so I wont be heading out far or in any weather to speak of. I want to build two rods this winter but I need a little help to figure out what to build (trolling,popping,jigging). I'm not looking to hook up on monsters....yet. but my limited budget (wife) is kind of a road block. While I would love to have em all, this year i will only be running two. I'm kinda getting bored with blues and bass and need something new! Any help or suggestions would be great!
Keep em tight!

[Captain Greg Sears]

Welcome Stinky1 sounds like you have been boating for a while? Next year if the BFT return? there will be many big ones. My recommendation would be a couple of conventional 50 to 80 size rods and reels. Because you can Troll and use live bait and even Jig plus you will have a chance at landing a nice fish.

The expense will be compounded by the equipment you need to land BFT. Couple of Big gaffs, a cockpit harpoon setup, Fighting belt, Flouro Carbon, Terminal Tackle, $50 Lures, $10 a piece live bait, Life raft required, Epirb required, Radar, ETC......

As far as the wife is concerned I can help you there too.

1. Never take her shopping for fishing gear.
2. Tuna fishing rods and reels only cost $75
3. Bait is free
4. If you catch a big Tuna you could make around $200 to pay for everything.
5. Boats do not use much gas.

I am sure more of the guys will give you some input

[MACSON]

If you really want to flatten the learning curve and ultimately save $, invest in a charter. The previous poster has caught a few fish.

[Parapapam]

Mac hit the reply button while I was typing:

Actually the best advice I can give a a guy starting out is to Charter one of our fine guides on this site. Whether it is the Sears family at Mass Bay Guides, Capt Dom, Stew, etc.

The basic reason is that this is a damm expensive sport. Gear costs thousands and there just is no way around it. If you charter a few different captains who fish different styles (Jig/Pop, Troll Plastics, Live Bait) you get a feel for what appeals most to you. Then you can focus your first couple thousand (several thousand of many more thousand to come later) on the style that appeals to you.

Also, you get to see what they do and why they do it. Each charter takes a year off the learning curve I estimate. One open boat (the anglers don't need to know each other and everyone pays their share) charter costs approximately the same as two trips on your own. And it will save you many fishless trips in experience gained.

I was lucky that I was introduced to a bunch of really good fishermen when I started out. They were my "charter captains" and mentors. But even after playing this game for a while, I still will hop on with a charter if I want to learn a specific style. I invested in a trip with Capt Dom this year in order to pick his brain. It was a great trip and he taught me a lot. Well worth the $$$.

Mike

[CaptainCJ35]

Welcome aboard...

Definitely agree with MAC and Para on shortening the learning curve...

As far as acquiring gear goes, keep and eye out on this site and on Craigslist. Every so often there are some good deals from people dumping some nice set-ups only because they've upgraded, etc.

[Col. Kurtz]

If you really want to flatten the learning curve and ultimately save $, invest in a charter. The previous poster has caught a few fish.

And go to his seminar this winter.

[bmcl322]

ebay is also a good way to go. ...got a great deal a few months back.

Older Penn 80s go much cheaper and work well. Shimano is generally considered a better product. I have 4 Shimano 80s on bent butt rods, and 2 Shimano 50s for stand up.

If you're going after used Shimano 80s remember there is a difference between 80W and 80WA - WA just came out these last few years. 80W was prior. Also the last couple of years that the 80Ws were made they had small holes on the drag underplate so the drag doesn't slip. They also had larger grip handles. If you see these features, it's worth a little bit more, as they are newer.

As an aside; The 80 reels, with the new spectra/braid line are all you'll ever need and should be able to land massive fish. Remember that spectra/braid is an expensive initial expense also. ..but it lasts (some say 6 to 8 years - I go 4 yrs) with a top shot of mono that is replaced every season...

Also ask if the reels have ever been serviced, or if drag washers were ever replaced. If I recall Penns use a dry washer system, and Shimano uses a wet washer system, but ask.... Take your time, there are good deals to be had.

As for learning, I've been to one Stellwagon Bank Tuna Assoc. meeting, and plan to join next year, as I have the lic. etc... My observation: Mr. Greg Sears is your man. I agree, it's worth one charter. I didn't have the time to introduce myself to him, but I was so impressed with him and the reputation of his family. Good folk!! I believe one of his sons name is Bryan. What a great kid!! ...and knowlegable...

I may get out fishing one last time prior to the end of season -maybe this Monday. I know 1/1000th of what these guys know. Regardless, I'd be happy to have you come on along, but the catch is a catch. You'll have to catch some live Macks, ahead of time, for the trek..... You get the bait Sunday, I'll give you a Bait motel to hold the bait, & I'll supply the boat/fuel on Monday (weather permitting). If you already have your boat winterized.... we'll talk... I'll check back in the next 24...

Good luck with your gear purchase!! Personally I wouldn't mess around; get 2 Shimano 80Ws w bent butt rods - used. Once you get the 50s, you'll be wishing you had 80s. .....and soon your 20' boat will be a 25'..... (smile) ....The wife had better get used to it.... Tuna Wishing is a different type of disease than Stripers or Blues.

[stinky1]

Thanks guys! All of this is extremely helpful. I am planning on trying to make a charter with captain greg this year. It is extremely tough for me to plan ahead. Time off for me doesnt come easy and I usually work 6 days every week and 7 on some. A few things that I didn't know but probably should have was about the epirb and raft. I didnt think it was required unless off shore a certin distance or a commercial/charter. Where can I read more on this? I have read a lot of regs and spent some time looking for plain language on them!
Bmcl322, thankyou for the invite but like I said, time off is next to nill at this time. Usually the only time I have any leeway is in the middle of the winter and the middle of the summer. The economy bites in my field and I gotta chase the work while its around!
When and where is Captain Gregs seminar? Think I really would have to make that one! I agree from the sounds of things, he and his family have a great thing going!
Many more questions to follow!
keep em tight!

[Col. Kurtz]

Thanks guys! All of this is extremely helpful. I am planning on trying to make a charter with captain greg this year. It is extremely tough for me to plan ahead. Time off for me doesnt come easy and I usually work 6 days every week and 7 on some. A few things that I didn't know but probably should have was about the epirb and raft. I didnt think it was required unless off shore a certin distance or a commercial/charter. Where can I read more on this? I have read a lot of regs and spent some time looking for plain language on them!
Bmcl322, thankyou for the invite but like I said, time off is next to nill at this time. Usually the only time I have any leeway is in the middle of the winter and the middle of the summer. The economy bites in my field and I gotta chase the work while its around!
When and where is Captain Gregs seminar? Think I really would have to make that one! I agree from the sounds of things, he and his family have a great thing going!
Many more questions to follow!
keep em tight!

I'll obviously defer to the Sears clan on the details of the seminar, but I would imagine they'll let us all know out here on SFC when a time and location have been chosen.

[Parapapam]

A few things that I didn't know but probably should have was about the epirb and raft. I didnt think it was required unless off shore a certin distance or a commercial/charter. Where can I read more on this?

Eprib's and a raft is not required for recreational anglers. They are just a really, really good idea. I don't have a raft but I should. I do carry my PLB (An eprib with 24 hours of battery life and a manual trigger, instead of a real eprib which has 48 hours of battery and most real epribs have hydrostatic triggers) with me on every boat I go on.

Mike