How not to catch a BFT

[EMTAE]

OK just a few tips that I do..........1 change your crimps and check your swivels or the big one could get away.2 Don'T be in a hurry take your time and keep-er tight.Anyone got some do's and don'ts feel free to put up.

[BTH284]

Do's : Re sharpen hooks daily!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pre stretch leaders, Keep flouro clean with denatured alcohol and cotton ball,
Do not over crimp, I put chafe tube on the crimp loops for any line/leader connections less than 200 lb. Pre pull drags and check again after bites, runs or killed fish. Mark off deep rod mainline length to be let out with sharpie for easy read during low light, Mark off planer rod braid to know what depth you are running at any given time (helps to know in case you mark bait or tuna at certain depths Old salty planers are 2:1).

Keep all fighting reel handles on the up turn so the first movement is a crank down when you get bit, keep roller guides maintained, Crank out the slack ASAP on a rigger bite. Know where your baits are at any given time in the spread. Pre rig all baits somewhere nice and cozy warm when it is cold as crap outside then put them on the tray. (they ain't gonna swim if you rig in the morning in artic temps because you cannot feel your wraps around the gills/eyes and bill to keep them tight) Like EMTAE said, be patient, take your time, slow and steady wins the race!

Don'ts : Too much drag at strike, dull hooks, letting the terminal connections/knots go back and forth on the roller guides (take advantage of the leader wraps on the reel and keep the fish from going head down into the deep again). Tying to much hair on your lures. In a hurry during any part of the fight, gaff shot, harpoon shot. Any of the opposite of what is written above in the "Do's" section.

NOT ENOUGH ICE for the haul back to see Jason

[Heli Sports]

Anyone got some do's and don'ts feel free to put up.

Obviously that tuna is not going to have any value if it doesn't end up in your cockpit but a little bit of patience (if its at all possible) with the harpoon can make a huge difference in the quality of your tuna. A poorly placed harpoon or bad gaff shot means a lot more than just meat damage! Tuna harpooned in the body have a much higher tendency to suffer burned meat syndrome (Yake). Swim your tuna to enable it to metabolize built up lactic acid and thoroughly bleed it out to produce the best meat color and quality. Multiple fish bag limits have resulted in some lower quality tuna hitting the market. Due to their diet of Menhaden, North Carolina Bluefin are prone to Yake and changable meat color. Get your gutted tuna into a seawater/ice slurry as soon as possible!

[tunanut]

When you boat your tuna be sure to place the poon side down. You don't want a flat side and a poon side.

[Heli Sports]

You don't want a flat side and a poon side.

Optimally, you don't want any flat side...

[Jared D]

Do's : Re sharpen hooks daily!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pre stretch leaders, Keep flouro clean with denatured alcohol and cotton ball,
Do not over crimp, I put chafe tube on the crimp loops for any line/leader connections less than 200 lb. Pre pull drags and check again after bites, runs or killed fish. Mark off deep rod mainline length to be let out with sharpie for easy read during low light, Mark off planer rod braid to know what depth you are running at any given time (helps to know in case you mark bait or tuna at certain depths Old salty planers are 2:1).

Keep all fighting reel handles on the up turn so the first movement is a crank down when you get bit, keep roller guides maintained, Crank out the slack ASAP on a rigger bite. Know where your baits are at any given time in the spread. Pre rig all baits somewhere nice and cozy warm when it is cold as crap outside then put them on the tray. (they ain't gonna swim if you rig in the morning in artic temps because you cannot feel your wraps around the gills/eyes and bill to keep them tight) Like EMTAE said, be patient, take your time, slow and steady wins the race!

Don'ts : Too much drag at strike, dull hooks, letting the terminal connections/knots go back and forth on the roller guides (take advantage of the leader wraps on the reel and keep the fish from going head down into the deep again). Tying to much hair on your lures. In a hurry during any part of the fight, gaff shot, harpoon shot. Any of the opposite of what is written above in the "Do's" section.

NOT ENOUGH ICE for the haul back to see Jason

While I don't fish for BFT (I wish I did) I will say that these are some excellent tips. Fantastic addition to the thread.

[garonmailman]

wow some great GREAT tips on here. and if there was one thing i learnt this summer its when in doubt back out meaning if that tuna starts playing games around the boat or is just not coming to the boat how you want him back off the drag let him run get your boat back in position and that take it to him again have the same routine on every fish AS TRED BARTTER SAID NO PLAN IS A PLAN TO FAIL

[EMTAE]

For the ones in the CC Boats like myself have your block and tackle ready.TheCC with a door on the stern you might get one in it we have trips so not to damage the fish we use a block&tackle to the tee-top.Once we put dress the fish and pack it with ice we place it on a(old) sleeping bag and cover with a fish bag for the ride to the dock.Don't forget about the rice paper...........We are going in the AM Animal House ch 19 ch 08 good luck to all fishing.

[BTH284]

Good luck in the morning Charlie. My ride is supposed to be back right after Christmas. My first 2 years fishing/killing/selling wer in a CC. Actually, lots of fun. Come along on the Tee top works great too with a blue tarp wet down across the transom. Once the head gets over he/she comes right on in the ice bag.

[Screw It]

Optimally, you don't want any flat side...

Just curious how you go about not having a flat side?

Also does anyone insert a long piece of heavy mono or other stiff cord into the little soft spot on top of the fishes head to paralyze them?