Vertical jigging for giant Blue fin tuna

[fishslayer]

Guys,

Just thought that I would share some images with you of my recent trip fishing out of Plymouth, Massachusetts. We fished the Stelwagan Bank and targeted Blue fin tuna aboard Black Rose Charters with Captain Rich Antonino. We went 4 for 7 on tuna this trip and caught all of our fish vertical jigging. There is no way to explain how hard the impact is of a 140 to 180 lbs Blue fin tuna when it hits a vertical jig with braided line. These reels are in gear as we are jigging and is much different than fishing a live bait that has the reel in free spool. It is one incredible feeling that sends shock waves through your entire body. What was even more amazing is the tackle that we were using. My fish was landed on the Cedros-10S lever drag reel. This is a small reel normally used for 15-40 lbs tuna fishing out of California and is a high speed reel. I had the reel spooled up with 50-lbs Western Filament line and released the fish in about 25 minutes. Our largest fish that was estimated at 180-lbs was caught vertical jigging on a Salina-80 spinning reel and a 7’0” Cedros jigging rods. After seeing the torture of this, I do not think I ever want to hook one of these giants on spinning tackle. It works just fine, but is a lot of work. Our other fish were all in the 140 to 160 lbs range and were landed on the Cedros-15S lever drag reels and the Cedros jigging rods.

This fishery is absolutely incredible. I have never seen such volume of tuna. At certain points of our trip we have tuna between 100-200 lbs jumping 360 degrees around the boat. We pretty much saw fish the entire day coming out of the water, which is frustrating and very exciting at the same time. These guys have been getting Blue fin from June through November and there are giants mixed in. You have no idea if you are going to hook a 150-lbs fish or a 500 plus pound fish. I am definitely planning on heading back next season. We have a great product tester who really loves catching these giants on light tackle and jigs.

One of the most amazing things that I saw was on a fish that we lost. We were throwing top water lures at the tuna when they were crashing the surface and one of our guys hooked a huge Blue fin about 25 feet off our transom. The fish came clear out of the water. This tuna was hooked on a Slugo and a Salina-80 spinning reel. It was as if we hooked into a turbo charged Ferrari as it spooled us in 37 seconds and was captured on video. Two of the guys saw the fish as it swam past the boat at full speed and said that it was well over 300-lbs.

You guys have a great fishery out there.

John

[paul708]

nice report and pics.
you guys had a great year up there.

[clcharette]

What kind of harness were you guys using, in particular the connection to the spinning rod? Nice work guys.

[mzajac]

Chris some of the rods have gimbal butts. They fit in all the harnesses.

Nice fish and pics.

[captdom]

John, you guys tore it up the couple of days you were here, Capt. Richie is an awesome guy, and a lot of fun to spend a day on the water with...never mind being one fishy dude. It was a great year for us up here, and I owe alot of my successes to the cooperation and intel Rich and I shared all season long. Thanks Rich!

Here is a couple of more shots from your trip.

[clcharette]

Chris some of the rods have gimbal butts. They fit in all the harnesses.

Nice fish and pics.

Hey Stranger,

I'm talking the strap from the harness to the top of the reel seat. Both of my spinning rods for tuna have gimbal butts, but having to hold the rod the entire fight puts alot of pressure on your forearms.

[captdom]

Hey Stranger,

I'm talking the strap from the harness to the top of the reel seat.

Several companys make spin straps. Aftco makes a shoulder harness with spin strap, called the Max Force. Many guys use different style plates which will work with this setup. There is also a D-ring that lot of guys use that fits over the rod above the reel seat which you can harness into using a traditional kidney harness and plate.

[Captain Greg Sears]

Several companys make spin straps. Aftco makes a shoulder harness with spin strap, called the Max Force. Many guys use different style plates which will work with this setup. There is also a D-ring that lot of guys use that fits over the rod above the reel seat which you can harness into using a traditional kidney harness and plate.

Nice fish Guys" - Rich is a "Salty Dog"

As far as the harness I thought you light tackle guys where all about sticking the rod in your hip and holding on for the fight. When I hear "fish on" I run for the cabin and yell for someone to grab the rod.

You guys know we run mostly heavy gear wishing for the big one but I do love light tackle.

Just a word of precaution when "strapping in" 30 pounds of drag can pull you to the bottom very quick. We always attach a safety line to the reel connected to the boat. We never attach the angler to the boat so they can release themselves easily from the reel. We use J hook connectors from the angler to the reel so if pressure is released the clips will have a natural tendency to fall off. If you use a spinning reel strap connect your back belt to the strap with J clips. We use a snap clip on the Main safety line from the boat to the base of spinning reels. We also do this for small kids when we striped bass fish. This has saved a few rods from falling overboard.

By the way I have never caught any thing that big on a spinning rod. We have caught a few under 60" fish on spinning gear but it alway took us hours to get in. Those are some nice fish and a hell of a feat to get them in on those rods "Good Job"

[Sea Draggin]

Very good advice there Capt. Sears about the rod connection. Thats the only way to safely do it.

[gman]

I have only strapped in with a spinning rod once, because I had a 4 fish day on 66" fish and was worn out by the last fight. You can very easily make any bucket, shoulder or kidney harness spinner friendly by adding one simple product. Its a simple small d strap that will fit over your reel seat and attach to any harness

http://www.tunafishtackle.com/braid-reel-rest.html