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Fishing Report
50.0"
/
80.0 lb.
Bluefin Tuna caught
by Peter Budryk
fishing
on Saturday October 06, 2007 at 13:38
My family put together a birthday surprise fishing fantasy trip of light tackle (fly/spin)for bluefin tuna off Cape Cod in early October, '07 They booked w/Jeff Smith, info@finaddiction.com.Jeff was reluctant to take the trip and our money because nobody had caught a fish for previous 2 weeks and the fish apparently had moved on. When they explained that October 6 was only date we could do it and that, as fishermen, we were well aware we could get skunked and chalk it up to the vagaries of sport fishing, Jeff reluctantly set up the charter. Of course I was in the dark about the arrangements until the family showed up the night before for a surprise dinner at Mahoney's Restaurant in Orleans, where we live!
Two grandsons, Max 15 & Riley 13 rode with me to the rendezvous on the Bay w/Jeff and his trailered center console early the next morning to weather in the 60s, mostly sunny and light wind. Agreeing w/Jeff that “You've got to stand before you can walk”, we started w/spinning gear. After 2 fruitless hours of shuttling to his likely spots and casting, & w/Jeff in contact via cell w/other guides, all of whom were saying no fish were showing anywhere, no hook ups, we were still hopeful. Jeff said he had one, last distant spot we would set out for. But after only about 10 minutes he slowed the engine and said, “Do you smell that? ”Freshly-cut watermelon. Yes, we did smell it, and it was different from the sweet pepper/cucumber scent from blitzing blue fish. ”That's bluefin feeding.” He stopped the boat and immediately marked fish on sonar. ”Get those lures out!” I cast the jig & soft bait, leaving the bail open to allow the lure to sink a bit. Whoa!! Line started to fly off the spool, so I closed the bail and reared back. CARAMBA!!! I've been fortunate to fish and hook, light tackle, for many of the world's top gamefish, and lost many, including an c. 150 pound tarpon from the shore in a remote Grenadian island, on 6 lb test ultra light spinning gear. Four jumps over 375 yards and yes, it definitely broke me off. Never have I felt such incredible “You ain't in control buddy, I am” power on the end of my line as I experienced w/this my 1st bluefin. After 15 minutes, running all the way around the boat following the fish and doing what Jeff called the “Tuna tango”, I estimated a 100+ lbs fish, w/o having even glimpsed it, as my muscles started to throb, I became a blob of sweat and Jeff slapped a fighting belt around my waist. Forty minutes later, nothing changed except me; I passed the rod to Riley. Twenty minutes later he handed off to Max. Thirty minutes later it was back in my hands. Jeff instructed us the whole way and I finally got it up and he expertly gaffed it. What a spectacular animal! Hooked & landed another. Same incredible battle. Max hooked a giant that jetted off over 400 yards before it straightened the 5/0 hook. When the trip ended we were overjoyed w/our luck and grateful our bodies would have time to recover. WE WERE BLESSED BY THE POWER THAT RADIATES UPON (or ignores) THE DESTINY OF SPORTS ANGLERS. We took it w/ a reasonable degree of humility and mountains of gratitude. Grandpa & grandsons together-what a birthday!
Posted by Peter Budryk about 1 year ago
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hell of a story