My first bluefin on popper

ksong · 07-11-2007, 01:29 PM

I got my first 80 lbs bluefin on a popper out of Cape Cod yesterday.
Fighting a decent size bluefin with a spinning reel and 9' surf rod without a fighting belt is not a joke.
I've fished 30 years in the US and I didn't catch any tuna on poppers until this year. It is unreal to catch yft on a popper out of LA last month and one bluefin on a popper out of Cape Cod, MA yesterday.

Longfin on a popper next month ?

When Capt Dom launched his boat at Sandwich town ramp, I was surprised to see some private boats were equipped with spinning gears and small poppers for tuna. I know they catch bluefin on poppers or small jigs for years up there, I didn't know they have been enjoying extensively for years.

I'd like go back for popping tuna again, but it becomes tough decision as tuna jigging is so hot out of Cape May yesterday.

-rod: Shimano 9' Tiralejo spinning rod (TRS-90MH2)
-reel: Stella 16000F
-line: Tuff braided line and 12' 60 lbs Seaguar fluoro carbon leader
connected by Mid Knot
-lure: Yozuri Hydro Tiger (F) with replaced Owner Split ring(#8 ) and Treble hooks (3/0 and 4/0)

SkeeterRonnie · 07-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Nice Job!!! Well, I have found I like to jig awhile- then when it gets boring, I throw the popper until it gets boring.... keeps me awake when the fish arent coperating.

ahistick · 07-11-2007, 02:29 PM

Cool! Nice job.

papio · 07-11-2007, 04:02 PM

Ksong, nice fish on popper too!! Good workout on the 9 footer? Can you tell any taste difference from the flesh of the Bluefin and Yellowfin? Which you prefer?

ksong · 07-11-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papio

Ksong, nice fish on popper too!! Good workout on the 9 footer? Can you tell any taste difference from the flesh of the Bluefin and Yellowfin? Which you prefer?

I seldom eat cooked tuna and I don't eat yellowfin for raw sashimi regularly.

For sashimi, bluefin and bigeye.

fathom · 07-11-2007, 05:16 PM

Great Job Kil!

I think someone has been biten by the popper bug!

Steve

ksong · 07-11-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBill

Looks like the boat you were on had triple 225's. What kind of boat?

It's funny how sometimes the tuna love those little chrome poppers. That must have been tough bringing in that tuna with that 9' rod. How much drag can that rod handle? Without it, you probably couldn't have cast that little light weight popper the proper distance in the first place.

We might have to call you "King Popper" instead of "King Jigger" if you keep catching tuna on poppers.

The boat is 31 ft Contender with twin engines. I decided to go with the Capt. though he had to trail his boat from RI because he loves fishing as much as I do and has absolutely no attitude problem.

We left dock in Cape Cod around 6:00 Am and came back to the dock by 7:30 PM only because I begged him to go home.

Even with 9' rod and without a fighting belt, I didn't have much problem.
As I used 60 lbs leader line, I set the drag lightly (15-17 lbs).
The fish took at least 150 yard at the initial run and I knew immediately it was a decent fish. I got to admire guys who use spinning reels for big fish.
The spinning reel doesn't have cranking power as conventional reels and I had to pump to gain lines . I pumped while putting the rod butt between my legs as I didn't use a fighting belt.

When the fish started death circle under the boat, I thought the real figiht would start. But surprisingly the fish came up easily even I used 9' rod and it saved lots of time. Capt. told me it took around 20 minutes to get the fish to the gaff.

STx Fisherman · 07-11-2007, 08:04 PM

Way to go ksong!! I had a first on our trip to Venice last week....I caught a couple of blackfin on topwater poppers...<grin>. I enjoy catching yellowfin on topwaters more than any other method....it's a blast!

STx Fisherman · 07-11-2007, 11:15 PM

Out of curiosity.....is the meat on the bluefin much better than yellowfin??

Sportfisherman · 07-12-2007, 01:16 AM

Hi Kil ,

Congratulation with your first Bluefin Tuna with popper , you won't troll for them anymore from now on and most likely will target the really big one with stronger more powerfull rod + higher capacity reel .

I prefer " pencil popper " than surface chugger because when we have to move fast to chase the " boil " , with pencil popper I just lift the rod tip high and retrieve the lure , by this time the captain wud be gunning the engine to position the boat upwind from " boil " so distance casting can be achieved without spooking the school , at least that how we do it in my area with YFTs .

Jon .

07-11-2007, 01:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
ksong Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,418	My first bluefin on popper I got my first 80 lbs bluefin on a popper out of Cape Cod yesterday. Fighting a decent size bluefin with a spinning reel and 9' surf rod without a fighting belt is not a joke. I've fished 30 years in the US and I didn't catch any tuna on poppers until this year. It is unreal to catch yft on a popper out of LA last month and one bluefin on a popper out of Cape Cod, MA yesterday. Longfin on a popper next month ? When Capt Dom launched his boat at Sandwich town ramp, I was surprised to see some private boats were equipped with spinning gears and small poppers for tuna. I know they catch bluefin on poppers or small jigs for years up there, I didn't know they have been enjoying extensively for years. I'd like go back for popping tuna again, but it becomes tough decision as tuna jigging is so hot out of Cape May yesterday. -rod: Shimano 9' Tiralejo spinning rod (TRS-90MH2) -reel: Stella 16000F -line: Tuff braided line and 12' 60 lbs Seaguar fluoro carbon leader connected by Mid Knot -lure: Yozuri Hydro Tiger (F) with replaced Owner Split ring(#8 ) and Treble hooks (3/0 and 4/0) Last edited by ksong : 07-11-2007 at 01:36 PM.

07-11-2007, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
SkeeterRonnie Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,288	Nice Job!!! Well, I have found I like to jig awhile- then when it gets boring, I throw the popper until it gets boring.... keeps me awake when the fish arent coperating. __________________ www.ronniemanningfishing.weebly.com

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07-11-2007, 02:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
ahistick Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 45	Cool! Nice job.

07-11-2007, 04:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
papio Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio, Tx. V Posts: 254	Ksong, nice fish on popper too!! Good workout on the 9 footer? Can you tell any taste difference from the flesh of the Bluefin and Yellowfin? Which you prefer?

07-11-2007, 05:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
fathom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: cedar creek Tx Posts: 268	Great Job Kil! I think someone has been biten by the popper bug! Steve

07-11-2007, 08:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
STx Fisherman Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 631	Way to go ksong!! I had a first on our trip to Venice last week....I caught a couple of blackfin on topwater poppers...<grin>. I enjoy catching yellowfin on topwaters more than any other method....it's a blast!

07-11-2007, 11:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
STx Fisherman Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 631	Out of curiosity.....is the meat on the bluefin much better than yellowfin??

07-12-2007, 01:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
Sportfisherman Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Jakarta/Bali - Indonesia Posts: 47	Hi Kil , Congratulation with your first Bluefin Tuna with popper , you won't troll for them anymore from now on and most likely will target the really big one with stronger more powerfull rod + higher capacity reel . I prefer " pencil popper " than surface chugger because when we have to move fast to chase the " boil " , with pencil popper I just lift the rod tip high and retrieve the lure , by this time the captain wud be gunning the engine to position the boat upwind from " boil " so distance casting can be achieved without spooking the school , at least that how we do it in my area with YFTs . Jon .

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