Posted on December 24th, 2024
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there!! Merry Christmas everyone!!
Captain Chase Eberle of Chasin’ Tides Charters was out for a little Christmas Eve bluefin fishing and he put his anglers on a great trip. Chasin’ Tides finished up with two “under” fish at 40″ and 46″ and one “over” fish at 71″. They also released a mid 60s” as well.
Captain Dale Lisi and his crew on Foolish Pleasures had another great bluefin trip today as well. They finished up with a limit of one “over” and three “under” bluefin tuna.
Travis, John and Richie used a 6 oz. Joe Shute lure with a ballyhoo to trick this nice 67″, 170 pound bluefin tuna into the boat.
Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star has left the sea bass alone lately in exchange for some awesome tuna fishing.
We tied her loose on the 23rd a bit after 5am – were enjoying sunrise when Tyler & Owen deployed 20 blocks on a new experimental reef I’m working on. Mates Joey & Jeff immediately sent two lines astern as we headed on off toward the lobster tail, a favorite tuna spot of mine..
Saw LOTS of tuna.
Saw LOTS of birds.
For almost one glorious hour – from 11:16 to 12:13 – we hooked and landed four tuna.
From there until dark-thirty? ..we were just spectators of the marine ecosystem’s savagery as bluefin devoured a ton or more of sandeels before our eyes ..yet would have none of our hidden 9/0 hook trolled offerings.
Darn the luck!
My long time friend TaNNk had drawn last man on the rod. I tried hard to get him and one other angler strapped into a tuna but it was just not to be.
Fortunately, we split the fish between clients with a small share for crew – everyone aboard can start a new Christmas tradition with fresh sushi..
“So, Captain, why are you tardy with this trip post?”
Let me tell you, dear (and very few!) readers!
I had just finished my pics, and was getting ready for the misery that is a federal ‘electronic vessel trip report’ (eVTR) that includes bluefin tuna, when I got a call from an old friend..
The mate who had helped Joe & Jeff get an elementary education on bluefin trolling, Dom, was offshore with two others aboard the brand new 23ft outboard, School’s Out, and hadn’t returned home.
It was plenty late.
It was plenty cold.
A lot can go wrong on a new boat – including bilge pumps.
There was cause for concern.
On the plus side: I know Dom is a professional that would never give up on a huge fish & and it was as calm as a lake..
Now the CG was hailing me and asking their hundred questions. Off the radio, we spoke a good while more via cell. A CG boat hailed me on 16 also but apparently didn’t have his volume up – did not hear my reply and so came alongside with lights flashing..
Oops. Might be some paperwork there.
My old decky, Capt Tanner – Capt Scott too – provided info. Another long ago deckhand, Jonah, had seen several outboards fitting the description in the area. CG called him too..
I finally had to be done with it as approaching the inlet at night with radar requires much capt stuff – no need of us making the news too!
After finding it far too cold to wash down, my crew (sadly? I don’t think so!) had to put off a light scrub and fresh water hosing before our next tuna, then sea bass, adventures.
Awww..
I bet tears froze to their cheeks.
Have a ton of room for Friday & Mon’s tuna trips. Folks must think I remember how to find a sea bass, however, as those trips are full-up..
Oh, the outboard? They hooked a giant at 3pm on 50wide stand-up gear like we use. Though they saw color (could see the fish beneath the boat) once, at four hours in the line parted.
Wasn’t amateur hour. Dom knows what he’s doing.
They came in cell range just as we pulled her back inside the harbor.
Probably saved the owner’s wife from heart failure when CG, who had dispatched two boats, was called off the search.
A fine and safe ending to a December fish tale.
Merry Christmas Eve All!
Monty
