Ins and Outs of Bluefinning

[budwiller]

Lately I have seen alot about bluefin tuna. A report on the news, this wonderful website, as well as magazines.

I understand they bring a pretty big payout with them. Can anyone catch and sell one? Do you just need a tuna permit or do you have to apply for a special commercial license to sell one? If so is it difficult to get?

What are they bringing per pound here?

And finally has there ever been any reported caught out of Wrightsville?

Thanks in advance.

[seavee capt]

You do need permits from the NMFS, for commercial or recreational. Both are available and cheap. Commercially its a big dollar investment, Landing license for the state the fish are brought in, all the safety gear required, none of it cheap. Commercially the fish sold do pay out well, depending on time of year, fat content of each fish, and how the fish is handled. hope this helps, i'm sure others will chip in, there are lots of pros here.

[ice cream man]

Will........Give me a call I will hook you up with some buddies who have caught them this year ( as recent as today ). They should be able to answer all your questions.

Can you handle the Pain?..............ICM

[cape_fisherman]

You need the correct tuna permit for your boat and you need to buy a North Carolina Commercial License. You can get the state license from anyone willing to sell theirs and by lying to the NCDMF when they ask you if the majority of your income comes from commercial fishing. It's that easy.

There are of course other things to be aware of.

[hotrodmarlin]

Yeah- they're off Wrightsville. I caught my first bluefin in the breakers off of masonboro island. One of the motors shut off during the fight and we almost got washed on the beach. We were real close to the rock jetties.

Permit is +/- $3500 plus all the other stuff to bring your boat to commercial regulations. New life jackets, flares, ring bouy, raft, placards, etc.
You'll probably have about $6000 in it total.

[budwiller]

Ok, so if you don't get a commercial license, then do you still sell them? Or do you just fill your freezer with 300 pounds of sushi? I figure commercially you would get a premium price?

Thanks,

Just cold and bored.

[WAHOONBOX]

I TRIED TO EAT A NC BFT ONCE.....IT ALMOST BURNED MY GRILL DOWN.....TOO MUCH OPEC STUFF IN IT........IN OTHER WORDS....I THINK THEY TASTE HORRIBLE COOKED

NO MAN CAN EAT 300 LBS OF LOINS IN A YR.....


THEY AIN'T YFT!!!!

[hotrodmarlin]

Originally Posted by budwiller

Ok, so if you don't get a commercial license, then do you still sell them? Or do you just fill your freezer with 300 pounds of sushi? I figure commercially you would get a premium price?

Thanks,

Just cold and bored.

No you can't sell them and you sure don't want to keep one to eat. Trust me on this one.

Catch and release- It's fun and alot less stressful.