Mishell II fishing charter boat, Montauk bluefin 9-19-09

[jackdaniels]

Hi,

I’m Capt. Mike Saio of the Mishell II fishing charter boat out of Westlake marina in Montauk.



I have been obsessed with the fact that I needed to catch a giant blue fin tuna ever since I saw them bust all over my boat 10 years ago while sea bass fishing south of Block Island.



I bought the current Mishell II 6 years ago and I was able to outfit her properly for this personal quest. These fish are magnificent! They are majestic and deserve respect and I am honored to report that I single handedly caught and landed one 377 lbs.



On Tuesday, about 10 am I heard that a few were hooked up but lost on Monday the previous day. I was already on my way to the boat from Hampton Bays to do some maintenance work, when I heard this news, I imeeediately went into a freeeeenzy!!!!!!

I called everyone I know but to no avail, no one could go with me. At that point I started to decide not to go; these fish are not to mess with alone!!!! They are very powerful. I have hooked up with 3 in the past, but ever time, it got away! The last one to get away we fought it for 2 ½ hours….40-50 feet below the surface the line broke! It was approximately 10’ long; 900 lbs. (had it up 4 times, 20’ from the boat)



The boat is 38’ down easter, to far to leave the wheel to cockpit to harpoon the fish…..subsequently I put in stern steering as a result of this loss. So after completing what to do (about 2 sec.) I decided I’m going.



I loaded the boat, bait, ice, fuel….out to the light to catch bluefish…only 2 caught. I wasted 1 ½ hours doing this….another 1/1/2 hours later this puts me on the fishing grounds at 3:30 PM. I quickly assessed the area, looked for signs of giants, bait and drift.. I set up 2 everol 130’s and l shimano 80 wide (like bringing a knife to a gun fight) but I have the 80 set with enough line to chase…about 30 min. into my drift a boat approx 50 yards from me another boat hooked up, I had to pick up and move, his fish was headed straight at me. I reset and started all over again….. Mind you I am all alone, (only one with me is my old faithful “Buoy”, my 6 ear old black lab).



About 40 min into drift I was not really paying attention to my lines, I picked my head up and noticed my ballon was missing and the line was slowly moving towards the boat (not a normal gbft hit). I quickly tightened the line and the race was on!!!!



I had to start the boat, it was heading for my transom. I put in gear and created space and got the line away from the boat. now, the rod was on the port side and I had to get it over to the starboard side where the stern controls are…..I released the tension on the drag, lifted the rod and placed it down on the starb corner rod holder….phew! Very tough to hold on to! Tightened drag and on the next mess…two other lines are still out…..I had to reel them both up, steer, and reel the fish all at the same time…(I really could of used 4 paws)



After getting all under control, now it was just me and the fish….for about a ½ hour, constantly going back and forth to the rod then the controls (10’ span from the 2) I had the fish near the boat, (drag was on full and I gave it my all). I knew I would only have one shot at this…, the sun was low, the fish was in the prop wash and I did not have a leader man. Basically I did not have a clear view of the fish. I grabbed the harpoon, but the fish came towards the boat and the line hit the transom. I loosened the drag, sped the boat up and it peeled off another 100yrds of line… I had to do this 3 times. Finally I saw my opportunity and aimed my harpoon as best I could, take my shot, I hit it! Amazed, I pushed it as far as I could then pulled back. I reeled up the fish as high as I could, opened the tuna door and said now what, it was over 7’ long. I got a meat hook and tried to pull it in, that wasn’t happening. After a 20 min. ordeal at the transom ( like, loosing a gaff, the hook popped out, wave action) this fish was not giving up so easily. Eventually I got a tail rope on it then another, he was as good as done. Now what? I radioed a friend nearby and one of his crew members jumped into my boat to pull the fish in. Thanks Rich and Jim.



All of my friends at the marina were there to greet, support and congratulate me. I thank everyone who was there for their acknowledgement of the pain and efforts that I made to get to this point.



This is a story that is of it own, a real personal accomplishment. Some people say it is a small giant compared to what was caught that day. True, but I did it ALONE, with my best friend BOUY! Nothing and no one can take that away from me………....

Mishell II
Montauk
(631) 466-0694 http://www.mishell2fishingcharters.com/ FISHMISHELL2@aol.com

[mahi714]

Awesome story. Solo too!

[rirockhound]

Nice report.
I was out there a few days after the peak of the bite.
No Joy, other than marks on the scope....

[Capt Fred]

Nice fish Mike. Way to get it done.

[Dantilu]

Mike ,
Well done!!!!

[kitebuz]

Nice fish!