Hudson Canyon Tuna

[SmokeRise1]

I'm taking a Tuna trip out of Pt. Pleasant N.J. in a few weeks.  I've never fished for tuna or anything else that far out.  Any advice would be appreciated.

[SirSnookalot]

Work out and put some muscle on

[bilgerat]

Two day trip ??

The captain should give you all the advice you need as far as what clothes to bring, food, etc. TIP - keep a change of dry clothes and shoes in the car for the ride home.

If your going to drink, keep it to a minimum.

Tip any crew or mates that assist you on the trip.

Follow Snook's advice.

How many people are going ? When I went on my tuna trip years ago, it was on a smaller boat with one fighting chair. There were six of us. We drew numbers out of a hat to determine who got in the chair first, second and so on. Two of the guys got so drunk they never got their chance at a fish. Tough luck, more fish for us. That's why I said to keep the alcohol to a minimum.

Get plenty of rest before you go. I don't know if you've ever been out that far for that long, it can beat the crap out of you.

Good luck !! I hope you get to hook into one. It's like nothing you've ever experienced.

[SmokeRise1]

Thanks guys.

Snook, Not enough time for that.

Rat, 24 hr. trip with 20 guys on an 80 footer. As far as I know, there are no chairs, you fight everything on your feet. As for rest and drinking, I'm going to a wedding the night before. I'll try to spend more time at the buffet than at the bar and sleep while we're motoring out.

I'm making up 50lb and 80lb flouro leaders with 5/0 Gamma heavy weight live bait hooks. I think we'll be suspending sardines in a chum-slick. From what I hear, once your line starts ripping out, you count to 5 or 8 and then engage the drag and hold on. As soon as the fish stops taking line, you start reeling and don't stop until he's in the boat. I hope to get at least one. I'll let you know and post a pic if I do.

[bilgerat]

It's been twenty years since my trip but I'll never forget it.

Fighting a tuna for 10 - 15 minutes until you can see him and then he spools your a** and you gotta do it all over again

Good luck. I hope you hit 'em hard.

[NewAngler]

let us know how it goes. post pictures!!!

[SmokeRise1]

Rough seas forced the captain to cancel the trip yesterday.  Better luck next year.

[JigMe]

Ouch. Always next year.

[bilgerat]

That sux. Now you can start that workout regimen...... :

[RoLo]

Somehow I missed this thread.

Anyway, a trip to the Hudson Canyon is a Big Deal, so if you weren't totally prepared,

the cancellation may be a blessing in disguise.

Off the Jersey coast, there's usually a nice run of football bluefins in September.

But if yellowfin tuna was your target, the best is yet to come, as they usually peak around mid October.

So if you really wanted to go this year, you may still be able to book a trip out of Manasquan, Highlands or Atlantic Highlands.

In any case, it's typically "stand-up" fishing on the charter boats using a gimbal belt, shoulder harness

and lots of muscle potassium. During a good year the charter boats will only have to go to Monster Ledge,

which is barely halfway to the Hudson Canyon, otherwise it's about a 90-mile trip to the Canyon.

Tuna never really quit fighting, but swim in ever decreasing circles right up to the boat.

The best way to get in shape for tuna is with a half-dozen charter trips for jumbo blues

Roger