Yellowfin Tuna

[kingyfisher]

12th June 2008. Went out off the coast about 40m ESE of Sydney Heads to an area known locally as "Brown's Mountain" an undersea peak in about +600meters of water near to the edge of the Australian Continental Shelf. We (me & and an ex-pat pommy Neil ) had been planning to do this for around 6 months,and we had finalised and booked a day about 6 weeks ahead.My job was to round up a suitable crew,which I found frustrating at first ,but when the big day neared and several other charters were abandoned,everyone wanted to go. We kept the numbers low ,so the cost was about A$200(100 Pounds),we kept reading the fishing reports and about 2 weeks before the due date the Yellowfin arrived ! Then the worry that we might be undergunned began ! These fish can get to well over 100kgs and some anglers were being spooled on 24kg gamefishing tackle (800m of line!).Fights were recorded going on for 3 & 4 hours and the fish were still not brought to the boat ! As it turned out the day looked like being wonderful,swell 1/2m ,sea flat,wind less than 5knts! We found a spot and began the long process of cubing,cutting sardines into 4 pieces and dropping one at a time every minute or so. After 7 hrs we were all a bit weary,the radio was not offering any joy from other boats trying for Tuna,and suddenly the Skipper yells out.We all jumped,hoping against hope,but it was not to be.A 7ft Blue Shark arrived at the back of the boat ,and was scratching an itch on the props when he saw a tasty treat. One of our number (who shall remain nameless) had a bad case of 'Mal de Mere' and had his head dangling temptingly over & close to the water.Now Blue Sharks are renowned for their ariel jumps ,and he liked the scent our seasick friend was providing.......Quick as a flash the skipper grabs the back of his belt and reefs him back into the boat! The shark had made up his mind to hang around,and this was not good as the Tuna(if they ever arrived) would avoid us,so I was delegated the task of hooking him,in the expectation (false as it turned out!) that this would spook him and he'd leave.Now 60lb monofilament is not really the go for "Biteys",but I dropped a 6/0 big gun hook with fishbait attached over the side.....after a few sniffs it was swallowed.The shark was right on the surface,I struck immediately and fluked a hook-up on the corner of his mouth in the lip away from the teeth ! I pulled as hard as my 24kg outfit would allow .....he just rolled on his side and looked straight at me with contempt in his eye.We remained thus for what seemed like several minutes ,but was probably only one or two,when the skip has ANOTHER bright idea.This is a great photo op. he says and gets out a big rope to 'tail'the fish and drag him aboard ! The Shark did NOT like this idea at all,but unfortunately I'm still attached...... There was a HUGE splash and then a BANG as my leader goes off like a rifle shot. I must close now....oh yes and the Yellowfin Tuna? Well we landed 3,all between 30-35kgs .I have pics but seem unable to post them here....can I e-mail them to some-one to post them here?

[pingu]

sounded great fun with the shark

will do pics when arrive kingy

dave

[Greenheart]

Great read Kingy. Think i'm going to have to talk the missus into having a fishing holiday in Australia....

[kingyfisher]

"The Old Men & The Sea"....the saga continues.
Before I get to the Yellowfin Tuna,let me tell you about "Lefty". Now he is of course right handed,but in Oz we always name opposite to the obvious. Thus "Shorty",,is always tall,"Bluey",is a redhead etc,now Neil is such a mad keen fisho ,that even though his right arm is no longer able to hold a rod,he turned up for our Tuna tussle with a LEFT handed overhead reel.Not only that but it was one of the smallest I've ever seen used offshore! Just to top that too,his is loaded with 30lb braid ! (we all had 50-80lb gear) But none of this was going to stop him landing his first ever Tuna ! It was a mammoth fight but as you can see he succeeded, a tribute to the "Mother Country" ! My tuna....well I got it in quick smart (Sharks LOVE Tuna too!) ,landed on 24kg braid, 60lb Jap Moi Moi leader,on a Saltiga 6500EXP reel & matching Saltiga Murama 7'6" spin rod.We used WA Pilchards for bait and all the fish were caught on the PM tide change.In fact the boat had a whole school swimming around,but they only stayed for 10mins ! Sorry I went on for so long ,thanks to pingu for his help, KF
PS all the Tuna were over 1 mtere long and weighed over 30kgs ,"Bees Knees" was judged to be the biggest.

[John Marshall]

Well done mate, great read as well.

[pingu]

pics added for you kingy

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Cracking read and piccys mate

[fishypaul]

well done kingy,super fish

[kingyfisher]

Thanks pingu for his help in posting the pics of 'lefty'&me(checked shirt).Neither of us had caught one of these magnificent fish before,I hope that my joy in a dream come true is not misinterpreted.

[Banana Steve]

Top Report and Fishing Well done