I welcome Barney Kessell and his buddy Chris aboard today for a day of tuna chasing.

Barney has fished with me many times and I was still hoping to get him a chance at pulling on a tuna.  We have come close in the past but today would be the day.  Unfortuately the batteries in my camera died as I forgot to take in home after previous days trip but the photos of the action we saw will live in our minds eye for a long time.

We left the dock at 0430 and found plenty of bait (small macs) right in Gloucester Harbor.  We put a few dozen in the live well and I decided to give another area a try to see if we could get a few horse in the tank as well.  We got to our spot and after a few minutes we put a half dozen big macs in the tank and set course for the tuna grounds. 

We hadnt traveled a mile and tuna exploded in front of us.  Barney and Chris grabbed spin rods and I put the hammer down.  We came into the area where the fish had just broken and made a couple casts but as has been the case this season the fish were down.  They are on spike macs and it makes it nearly impossible to chase them down.  If they come up around you you have a shot but I decided I would not play the run and gun game this day. 

I almost decided to set out some baits but changed my mind and headed to a spot a friend had hooked 4 fish the day before.  We got on the grounds around 0630 and found it to be devoid of life...not a bird or splash in sight...did I make the right call??

I decided to set out ballons and the kite and drift the deep water (300'+ ) for this slack tide.  Perfect conditions, perfect drift but for the first 45 minutes...NADA until.....I was watching my port side ballon when I noticed it shake a little and then move every so slowly perpendicular to the drift.  Very slowly the ballon submerged.  Something had taken the bait but what??? I though maybe a big bass or shark as the line was moving very slow but the 130s drag of 30lbs (set below my Full Strike of 45lbs) was being taken.  The fish angled to the boat and suddenly the big rod swung hard to starboard nearly breaking off a couple spin rods in the transom rod holders.  I cleared the rods and took hold of the line to see if it had any weight and as soon as I applied pressure Charlie woke up and dove for the bottom under the boat.  The 130 screamed (this is no bass or shark) and BANG...hook pulled...Disappointed we lost a fish but I knew I had made the correct decision...the fish were here.

During the course of the day we had 5 hookups on tuna.  Tuna were crashing baits all around the area.  Barney came close to hooking one on his spin rod when a pod exploded in front of the boat.  A good cast, a big swirl and a miss.  These fish were in the 50" class and perfect for light tackle.  Our problem today was not getting the bite but keeping them on the hook.  I tried every way of sticking them but each fish would grab the bait and run for a few minutes and spit the hook.  Frustrating but what fun! 

The best hit of the day was the last. It was 1430 and we decided to give it 30 more minutes before we headed in.  Fish seemed to be showing less as the tide was running so I started to prepare the deck for the run home.  Suddenly 100 yds off the stern's port side a huge school of tuna busted bait out of the water and they were running for the ballons drifting in their path.  I watched a 60" class fish jump clear of the water dive down and hit the bait on my port side ballon.  The little 50 class rod bucked and Barney grabbed the rod.  Fish ON!  This guy stayed on for a few minutes and I though we finally were going to put one on the deck but he pulled a Houdini and swam away unharmed.

What a day..eventhough we didnt bloody the decks it was one of the most exciting days of tuna fishing this year for the action we had.  The tuna are here heavier than I have ever seen.  If you like to chase these guys now is the time to go after them.  Considering August is usually the time the tuna start biting I cant imagine how crazy it will get.  I do know that whether I have a charter or not  I am going after them.  Want to come along...give me a call...I will again offer next week on any weekday tuna trip that if dont get you a bite I will take $100 off the trip.  I doubt you will find any other boat with an offer like that!

Tight Lines,

Capt George