Fish Report 12/14/24
More Tuna! (..and very likely the last three until next winter!)
Trips now include angler and observer spots..
Greetings All!
I confess to having the tuna bug bad! Never dreamed I'd see such beautiful fish come over my rail; have no idea if I'll ever have such a fantastic opportunity again.
Looks likely to me they'll push south in a hearty NE wind a week from now.
Way south.
That's my guess - so the coming week is all of it for us..
After that? Sea Bass through Dec & then full time togging beginning Jan 1st!
Tuna Trips:
Sold out Sunday 12/15/24. (if you'd like an observer spot just email me..)
Now opening Tuna Trolling Trips Monday 12/16/24 (little AM drizzle with calm conditions early) -- Wednesday 12/18/24 (a beautiful day!) -- and Friday 12/20/24 (some AM breeze followed by calm conditions..)
Fare is reduced Monday to $325 - Wed & Fri's fare is $375. Trips sell out at 7 anglers. Boat leaves by 5:30 (5 if all are aboard.) Not likely to get back before dark.
I am also offering three spots for observers (or birsdwatchers!) at $150..
This is trolling - not chunking. First on the rod and following order will be pulled from our daily reef raffle tix - $20 to play because there will be no fish pool.
These fish fight unlike anything I've ever known. On my trips we've had full rounds of anglers fighting fish - even three rounds! An angler reels until they can't and then switch off to the next angler who is already in a shoulder harness/belt.
This way we keep a fresh angler cranking until a tuna is harpooned..
Just watching them bust the surface is exciting - the bite is exhilarating..
These are lonnng trips! If you take bonine/meclazine? Take another about 10:30!
I've not been seeing shorts under 47inches, but some boats are. As a partyboat I'd be allowed 12 under 47 and two between 47 and 73 inches. Don't count on unders..
There have been reports of monster tuna much larger than I'd care to hook ..and especially have to release!
Lots of 'overs' have been boated though. We've had one over 130 pounds every trip with clients - had two jumbos another day.
That's what I'm trying for! Two!
I have no commercial licenses. Am not selling my clients' bluefin tuna. All legal tuna will be split between paying fares with a very short share for crew. (if we want any!)
One fish makes a LOT of steaks!!
Anna is a one person operation. She might be slammed when I hit send. (or maybe not!) If she cannot pick up, Leave her a message. She has a method to her madness..
Reservations at 443-235-5577 - She has other jobs too. The line closes at 8pm and reopens at 8am. She won't take reservations for trips that are not announced.
If you want a spot call the reservation line at 443-235-5577.. Emailing me is no good (unless after hours) her service handles reservations. I'll have no idea what spots have been sold. I do check email for questions; check FaceBook messenger too..
Be a half hour early! We always leave early
..except when someone shows up right on time.
Clients arriving late will see the west end of an east-bound boat. Seriously, with a limited number of reserved spots, I do not refund because you overslept or had a flat.. If you're reserved and are the last person we're waiting on - you'll need to answer your phone. I will not make on-time clients wait past scheduled departure because of a misfortune on your part.
I post after action reports (or lack thereof) (and sometimes detailed thoughts on fisheries issues) for every trip on my personal FB page and Morning Star page. Posts including OC Reef Foundation work will be included on that page as well.
No Galley. Bring Your Own Food & Beverage.
It's Simple To Prevent Motion Sickness, Difficult To Cure. Bonine seems our best over the counter because it's (supposed to be!) non-drowsy. It's truly cheap & effective insurance. If it makes you a bit sleepy - but not chumming? That's a great trade!
"The Patch" of Scopolamine, however, is a prescription only that beats all comers.
If the ocean still wants to get the better of you? Zofran (anti nausea) can be a day saver if you have it left over from a prescription.
Honestly - If you get to go on the ocean once a month, once a year or even less; why risk chumming all day? And then there's the ebullience of youth! Of course you can party hard and go on a moderately rough ocean!
No you can't!
If you howl at the moon all night, chances are good you'll howl into a bucket all day.
Bring A Small Cooler With Ice For Tuna Steaks.
No Galley! Bring Food & Beverages To Suit. A few beers in cans is fine for the ride home.
Dear Regular Readers!
Been busy as a one legged man in a butt kicking contest doing the reef raffle and trying to learn how to catch very large fish!
Will return to deep thinking after New Years!
Cheers!
Monty
