Hand lining tuna Need help

[Boonebird]

I want to hand line a tuna this fall. Where should I start. All I know is its dangerus. And I know it can be done.

[badhabit]

I'm no expert but I know a mate here in Florida ,and he told me he's had some charters ,that where bahamians and all they did was hand line he said they landed several big cobia and groupers ,not pulling hard at all, just steady hand over hand ,of course a tuna might be different story ,

[striper swiper]

This is the way I learned how
Make your set-up of whatever your preffered line be it tared or just 300-400 mono coil it into a clothes basket We would drill a hole through the bottom and the ball would come through here We would put it in the basket for running but it would be out of the basket before the line went in the water I think we had something like 2000 yds of 500# tarred line It might have been less # test but not much less Be very careful coiling the line in the basket nice and loose In today's fishery you would need a leader of 220 floro We didn't use that then we went straight to a hook If you crimp use either a Black sharpie or electrical tape to blacken the hardware BFT eyes don't see black well because of the light wavelength they see at
When setting your baits out We would tie it to a cleat with 80# test When it cracks the hook is set One guy would guide the line with his hands while the anchor gets released No pressure just guide it Once the boat was clear of the rode we would position the fish on the beam with the fish moving forward Once that initial run is done won't be long if you don't pull on the fish and spook it The fish is going to turn once it turns pull like hell should not take more than 10 minutes from hook up to harpoon when done right My grandfather and his brothers fished this way as well as with pitch poles With them I don't recall a fish ever lasting more than 15 minutes and the # of fish I saw caught this way is well beyond what you would believe Usually more in a day than a so called high hook of 10 yrs ago for a decent season

[Agitated88]

Originally Posted by Boonebird

I want to hand line a tuna this fall. Where should I start. All I know is its dangerus. And I know it can be done.

Try this:
http://www.bluewaterfishingranch.com/
I'd recommend Package #2.

[sportfishingusa]

Originally Posted by Agitated88

Try this:
http://www.bluewaterfishingranch.com/
I'd recommend Package #2.

lol hahahhaahahahah

have not seen that since april.. lol what a good gag they put on everyone..

[WAHOONBOX]

Originally Posted by striper swiper

This is the way I learned how
Make your set-up of whatever your preffered line be it tared or just 300-400 mono coil it into a clothes basket We would drill a hole through the bottom and the ball would come through here We would put it in the basket for running but it would be out of the basket before the line went in the water I think we had something like 2000 yds of 500# tarred line It might have been less # test but not much less Be very careful coiling the line in the basket nice and loose In today's fishery you would need a leader of 220 floro We didn't use that then we went straight to a hook If you crimp use either a Black sharpie or electrical tape to blacken the hardware BFT eyes don't see black well because of the light wavelength they see at
When setting your baits out We would tie it to a cleat with 80# test When it cracks the hook is set One guy would guide the line with his hands while the anchor gets released No pressure just guide it Once the boat was clear of the rode we would position the fish on the beam with the fish moving forward Once that initial run is done won't be long if you don't pull on the fish and spook it The fish is going to turn once it turns pull like hell should not take more than 10 minutes from hook up to harpoon when done right My grandfather and his brothers fished this way as well as with pitch poles With them I don't recall a fish ever lasting more than 15 minutes and the # of fish I saw caught this way is well beyond what you would believe Usually more in a day than a so called high hook of 10 yrs ago for a decent season

WEL WELL....... I AM TOTALLY IMPRESSO'D !!!!!!!!!!
PARDON ME WHILE A PICK UP MY LOWER JAW OFF THE KEYBOARD....

I AM INTERESTED IN HEARING SOME MORE OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE HERE SO BRING IT ON.


I NEVER THOUGHT BOONE WOULD GET SUCH A WELL THOUGHT OUT COOL RESPONSE.......

[WAHOONBOX]

I REMEMBER CHECKIN IN WITH A CERTAIN CAPTAIN THIS PAST WINTER.....


HE HAD A BLACK SHARPIE...DOING SOME ART WORK ON HIS CRIMPS

AND WE ALL KNOW ABOUT A BLACK CAMO OLD SALTY PLANER


BEST TIP OF THE MONTH 'SWIPER!

[dunn6253]

If you have some free time on your hands, I suggest picking up the book The Mighty Bluefin, by Capt. Roger Jarvis. One of my friends picked it up at the local tackle shop, so im not sure if it is available online. It is about giant fishing in the 60's, 70's and up until about the mid 90's. Talks about everything from rod and reel to handlining to harpooning, but mostly about handlining. It is not a how to book, but there is definetly some information in there of how to fish the gear. Good luck, look forward to hearing how you make out.

[neilinov]

Originally Posted by Boonebird

I want to hand line a tuna this fall. Where should I start. All I know is its dangerus. And I know it can be done.

Wow! I never thought of doing this. We handline a lot in the Bahamas and have caught some pretty damn big sharks. Usually with a 300# Bahamian man screaming at me: It's a shaak it's a shaaaaak cut him off Mon cut him Off!!! Sharks are easy and usually come up after a few hard tugs. Can't imagine loopin up a huge bluefin with his nose burried in the sand!! It's hard enough with an 80 on a fat rod locked up at 40#!!!! I can't imagine full tension on 300# mono..... if you do it bring us video!!

[Boonebird]

To be honest with you guys. Its not a matter of if im going to do it. Its WHEN I am going to do it. Im trying to gain a few idea's on this before I get out and loose a hand.