[xs_tackle]

Got lots to do; so this is just a brief note to let you know we got into some tuna at the Noble Clyde Boudreaux. I picked up 2 YFT's (a 94# and an 85#) before 8:30pm (early for YFT's in my experience) casting a blue-pink-whiteYozuri Surface Bull GT (welded rings, 4/0 4X Owner Stinger treble hooks) on a Seeker CJBF 70H rod and an Accurate 665 2-spd loaded w/60# spectra and a short topshot of 60# mono. 2 YFT's broke the YoZuri in the usual place (the bottleneck); but, the thru wire held and no hooks opened up. The 665 cast really well, and the drag held tight.

I saw a number of other YFT's in the same wt range; boat total was 33 YFT (for 13 anglers) and 1 nice bull dorado for Rusty C. A few YFT's on chunks; several YFT's broke off; but, I don't know the details. Most YFT's came on topwater baits as opposed to jigs or drifted chunks or other natural baits. Lots of BFT's on jigs. Had to leave early b/c boxes were full and/or threatening weather change could have made the trip back very long and tough. Even staying as long as we did (until Sat morning), we saw rising wind and seas which made chunking more like chunk surfing.

You other guys chime in with your details . . . (I know most of you are still driving home or recovering from your drives).

 

[DeepBlueGulf]

Sounds like another great trip Jep!

I've got to pick up one more trip before the end of the year.

Tom

 

[awesum]

XS_T ..... Great trip.

Who was Keith's backup captain? And did you happen to get the names of your deckhands?

B

 

[xs_tackle]

. . . Who was Keith's backup captain? . . . B

Marvin Horner was the lead Capt. I was told he'll move to the Pelican when John B. departs at the end of the year.

 

[awesum]

When Marvin came back earlier this year that was the plan but a source at DSH told me Marvin had taken a job running a crew boat or work boat. Guess that didn't work out. I'm glad to see he will be manning the Pelican because last year they didn't have anyone when John left.

B

 

[NEMO]

I too was on the trip w/3 YFT in the 60# to 70# range, I caught all my fish on the OTI Wombat-NEMO and broke off 3 Tuna at the boat. This was a test for my new rig, a 7' OTI Popping Rod with a Shimano Stella 20000 mounted and I was impressed with the set-up. The Lead Captain was Captain Nate and Marvin the Co-Captain, it was the 1st. time to fish with Cpt. Nate and was very happy with his performance and the Deck hands were Miles and Clint which did a outstanding job taking care of everyone.

 

[Minnow]

Any picture?

 

[NEMO]

Minnow,
I'm hopeing that Jim H. will be posting some pictures soon, we just got back to Oklahoma late last night and recoperating from the battle.

 

[papio]

Was that a chartered boat or open trip?

 

[jureal]

Nice going Jep. I was watching the weather pattern off the buoys and saw that the winds were increasing. Hope we hit a good pattern for the Big E trip.

 

[MrBill]

I've got a friend that is a painting contractor that is going out of DSH this weekend on a 48 hour trip. I'm guessing they will take them to Clyde Boudreaux sense it's been so hot the last two months. I've seen the way he takes care of all his trucks and personal gear. He's rough on stuff. He called me to borrow a popping outfit. I really don't want to lend him any good stuff. If fact, I won't.!!!!!!!

Do you think a Shimano Sustain 8000 loaded with 280 yards of 50# spectra would do the trick on a top water bite? That's all I could get on the reel. I'm thinking if I preset the drag at 18 pounds he should have a good chance at landing a tuna around 75#'s.. Those tuna seem to give up quicker with a big plug crammed in their mouth.

 

[Guest]

I hope my trip is as good!

 

[SkeeterRonnie]

MrBill.. yes... my first "lure" tuna was on a Spheros 8000.. I palmed the reel to get about 17# of drag... if he can keep the fish on the top, no problem.. if it sounds... BYE BYE!

 

[MrBill]

Bretabaker,

Lot of boats heading out the weekend of 12/14 - 12/16. Head boats include: The Big E, Pelican, Gulf Eagle and probably one from Dolphin Docks. Plus a few private boats. I know for a fact that my group of 7 is going to Clyde Boudreaux. Our plan is to have 21 YF's in the box by midnight. We'll leave all the blackfins to live for another day unless we have to start chunking.

Skeeter,
Well, the sustain 8000 is what he is getting. I tested it last night. It pulls very even up to 22 pounds. Starts to get a little bouncy at 24 pounds. It's actually a very nice reel. I'm not sure I would use it for a topwater bite, but beggars can't be choosy.

 

[xs_tackle]

Was that a chartered boat or open trip?

I was told it was a private charter which had some last minute cancellations, which were filled on short notice from a stand-by list.

 

[NEMO]

This was a open trip, Jim.H and I have Chartered a boat for next Dec. 3rd. out of DSH, we are hoping that Cpt. Nate will be the Cpt.

 

[Guest]

Bretabaker,

Lot of boats heading out the weekend of 12/14 - 12/16. Head boats include: The Big E, Pelican, Gulf Eagle and probably one from Dolphin Docks. Plus a few private boats. I know for a fact that my group of 7 is going to Clyde Boudreaux. Our plan is to have 21 YF's in the box by midnight. We'll leave all the blackfins to live for another day unless we have to start chunking.

Skeeter,
Well, the sustain 8000 is what he is getting. I tested it last night. It pulls very even up to 22 pounds. Starts to get a little bouncy at 24 pounds. It's actually a very nice reel. I'm not sure I would use it for a topwater bite, but beggars can't be choosy.
Well I hope you guys get your 21 by midnight! I'm hoping to get a 2-day limit, but that might be a bit over-zealous. I'll get a few blackfin as well - i might put one back out whole for a mako/marlin

I've got a penn 9500.....not the lightest thing in the world but its strong so im excited to see how it handles the tuna. its only filled with 50lb power pro, so i wont set the drag more than 18 or so.

 

[xs_tackle]

. . . I'll get a few blackfin as well - i might put one back out whole for a mako/marlin. . . .

How would you rig it? Would you let is swim? trim any tail lobes or fins? drift it w/o any other wt?

 

[Gunsmoke]

Those big blue marlin aren't hanging around the floaters to do site seeing. They love blackfin and yellowfin tuna. It's their main diet besides bonita.
Bridal rig a live blackfin and slow troll it. It's a great bait. Don't be afraid to bridal up a 20 pounder. That's a snack for a big blue.

 

[Snagged]

Well I hope you guys get your 21 by midnight! I'm hoping to get a 2-day limit,

Your limit on yellowfin is three (3) per trip, the only way to get more is to return to port and start over.