Capt. John Spring 2023 36 hour tuna trips

Saltynoob said:

Anybody throw madmacs at the rigs? I haven't got my first yellow fin yet. Trying to figure out what to try on the 18 and 19th trip.

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First thing first, if you're looking to catch your first Yellowfin, stick with what is proven and what we all know works out there at the Floaters.
The Halco 130

Believe your best chance is throwing a Halco 130 or Chunking. Your first Yellowfin is the hardest, cause it just means so much and you just want it to happen. After that first one, they just kinda fall in place easier it seems. Its gonna happen....

Ok, as for Madmacs, myself has thrown a Madmac 130 for a little bit the last time was out. That was a tough trip and while I did get one chance at a Yellowfin, it came on a Halco 130, ended up pulling hooks boat side.
Did not get any hits throwing the Madmac 130 in about the hour I threw it, I threw a lot of things that whole night and only got one hit, the Halco drew that hit.

Now myself likes trying new things and certainly not afraid to blaze new trails. So I've invested in a few Madmacs, 200mm , 160mm for trolling and 130's for casting.
As you can see they are very similar to a point


The Madmac 130 is a lil heavier than the Halco 130


I'm curious as well to find out if the Madmac can be as productive as the Halco, im certainly going to experiment and find out what I can.

But if I was you, trying to nail your first Yellowfin, I'd be throwing a Halco 130 or running a Chunk line.

Running Chunk line: Ok, I'll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade, I stole my uncle Max’s toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew School play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog…When my mom sent me to the summer camp for fat kids and then they served lunch I went nuts and I pigged out and they kicked me out…But the worst thing I ever done — I mixed a pot of fake puke at home and then I went to this movie theater, hid the puke in my jacket, climbed up to the balcony and then, then, I made a noise like this: hua-hua-hua-huaaaaaaa — and then I dumped it over the side, all over the people in the audience. And then, this was horrible, all the people started getting sick and throwing up all over each other. I never felt so bad in my entire life.

Let's see a Halco match that.

Triet281 said:

Some basic logistic questions on Captain John
Bunks. Are they all the same? Do you even need to get there early to get a spot like the secretary said?
Fishing spots. During booking, it look like they pack everyone on the back half of boat. Does everyone actually have to stay on their spots or quickly find a spot when you get there? I have #61
Help. I am old and my bsck not so good anymore. If I am lucky enough to hookup with a good YFT. Can the deckhand bring it in for me? What is a fair tips for this?
Food. How is the food?

Thank everyone in advance

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Its always good to show a little early, so you can park, take your time moving your gear to the dock. Once we start loading, its first come first serve to pick the bunk location you want, everyone gets a full size bunk on the Capt John.
Your tackle will go up top to be strap down.

There will be 2 rounds of bottom fishing, while most will fish in their spot they bought, you are allowed to move around freely, as long as you're not fishing in someone else's spot that is theirs and its where they wanna fish.

At the floaters at night Tuna fishing, you fish where you wanna but it will be casting on the bow and starboard side of the boat.
All jigging will be done on the port side of the boat.

There is a galley but its all microwave type food that they sell, plus all kinds of snack type stuff.

You can bring your own food and drink, just no hard coolers, it has to be a soft cooler you bring on-board with you if you do.

Everyone helps with everything if needed, its a great time and we are all there to have a successful fishing trip. Yes the deckhands will help bring your fish in if you need a break or tire, that is very common, so don't hesitate to pass the rod if tiring.

Triet281 said:

Some basic logistic questions on Captain John
Bunks. Are they all the same? Do you even need to get there early to get a spot like the secretary said?
Fishing spots. During booking, it look like they pack everyone on the back half of boat. Does everyone actually have to stay on their spots or quickly find a spot when you get there? I have #61
Help. I am old and my bsck not so good anymore. If I am lucky enough to hookup with a good YFT. Can the deckhand bring it in for me? What is a fair tips for this?
Food. How is the food?

Thank everyone in advance

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I agree with everything PK said but I have an addendum or two:

1. The bunks are indeed all the same BUT the support poles at the bunks are differently placed and can make for a tight squeeze to get in so if if you really like to eat like me find some bunks that have better spacing between the support pole and bunk.
2. I sleep on the bottom bunks but when I take my son he sleeps on top and that is useful in that you can put your gear bag on the top bunk when fishing especially at night for east access to find lures and gear the fish want to eat that trip. The bunk table is ok but not very wide and again that damn support pole gets in the way. If you can get yourself up in that top bunk then that works also to place your gear when you are fishing .
3. There will be people there as early as 2am from driving from out of town. I usually find that arriving 430 to 5 give or take is good but it depends on the trip. Sometimes they let us load in before 5am and sometimes we can't load until 530ish.
4. Your spot you chose has some weight to it but like PK said at night there are no assigned spots. Where you want to be depends on how you want to fish. Bow and most of starboard for casting, port for jigging and chunking. If you are thinking of jigging and chunking you can get yourself into the area that has the bench seats. Always useful at 4am when you have been fishing hard all night and need to sit down for a bit.
5. I am also oldish and have a bad back. I perform much, much betting when fishing for tuna either by jigging, chunking, drifting flying fish, etc. and using conventional rod and reels at I can use the rail for leverage. 20ish hours ago I fought a medium sized yellow on spinner gear and I find that MUCH more difficult. I also pack a back brace in my gear bag just in case. Take a fighting belt too for extra support.
6. If they have the same deckhands they had when I went out in April you will be solid. If you are fighting a fish and are ready to pass off, first choice is Adrian, second choice is Hunter. I always make friends with them as soon as I get on the boat by usually slipping them a 20 spot each. Nothing against the other deckhand but those two have been on every trip I have done (one per month) since September of last year. Also, Hunter loves to eat, so if you had a couple of wraps, sandwiches, taco, etc. he will not forget about you. The rest of the tipping is up to you. Easy way to figure it is how you would in a restaurant, percentage of the total ticket price for a good trip. If you have an epic trip maybe tip more.
7. Food is super basic like PK mentioned. Mostly microwave stuff with the exception of a crock pot dish like brisket for sandwiches. I usually bring some food to feed the deckhands and those in my group. Then again after a hard night fishing and looking at a 5 hour ride to bottom fish one more time or a straight 11 hour steam back to port some microwave snacks and a nap totally hit the spot. But I have seen anything from fried chicken to burritos to sandwiches to ramen noodle brought on that boat by fishermen.

Don't be afraid to ask and learn. If someone is catching right next to you and you are not it could be a matter of what depth they are at versus what depth you are at. If they are jigging ask what jig they have and try to find one in your bag to match. If throwing Halco's find out what color the tuna being caught want. Most everyone on these trips want to help and share knowledge but remember to fall back on the deckhand for info. They are bringing the fish over the rail on board and stashing them away so they will know what the fish are hitting on.