With the tuna action in the local fleet taking off, I took my buddy out on a 3/4 trip last week to get him on a YFT. Mission accomplished on the first troll rotation.
Plunker bite on yellowtail from 2-9 lbs, and a few YFT. Not bad for a 3/4 day boat.
I had 2 YFT and 4 yellowtail before I got this PB tuna. Estimated 50-60, probably closer to 60 lb , BFT.
Mackerel on 40# test, Avet MXL 2 speed on a custom GUSA rod.
We had 6 of the bigger fish bite for us. I was lucky enough to get bit twice, but broke off the first time and landed the 2nd hook up.
Funny side story --
We were already hours late and had 1 guy putting the final touches on his tanker BFT when captain announces, "anybody who hooks into a big fish, you will have 15 minutes to land him. We will cut you off and leave as we are running late". He based this on the estimated time left for the one guy hanging a fish to land his.
I casted my 1/2 dead mackerel from the tank out and soaked him for 3-4 minutes but he wasn't kicking. I cast him out again as he was the biggest bait left on the boat.
5 minutes later, he goes from a lazy swim to MACH 5.
Screaming drag. Using the rail, I huffed and puffed to get my fish onto the boat in about 30 minutes, 1 minute after the other guy. I was and still am beat.
LOL.
US waters. Get'em while they're hot. I'm hoping we start seeing YFT in the LJ counts. You never know! I'm hearing stories of PBers within a couple of miles of San Clemente pier getting the tuna.
I gotta get my boat into the shop before things really get stupid!!! LOL.