Capt. G / Pacific Rim Specialist
Tuna on the Move
Sep. 1 2010, 8:07 AM
Sep. 1 2010, 8:07 AM
Tuna on the Move
As we were rigging our tackle two days prior to our yellowfin tuna trip, Mr. Hayashi showed me the fish he had recently landed--an 88 pound yellowfin tuna with long yellow fins.
That got me all pumped up for our trip, but the next two days saw the main body of larger (45 to 80 lb.) yellowfin tuna move way up the line, out of one day reach. Still hoping for a shot at the fish, six of us departed from Wagu, Mie Prefecture.
As we were rigging our tackle two days prior to our yellowfin tuna trip, Mr. Hayashi showed me the fish he had recently landed--an 88 pound yellowfin tuna with long yellow fins.
That got me all pumped up for our trip, but the next two days saw the main body of larger (45 to 80 lb.) yellowfin tuna move way up the line, out of one day reach. Still hoping for a shot at the fish, six of us departed from Wagu, Mie Prefecture.
We ran out to the 50 mile edge, and saw little sign, so the captain worked way west of where the fish had been. We found some porpoise, and some tuna birds working bait, but none of the right kind. Later in the day, when it was time to head back, we found a spot of yellowfin crashing on small sardines, but it went down as soon as we approached. I was surprised when the sencho (captain) picked up, and kept heading out, on an opposite course to the dock. I have to give him credit--he stayed out an extra 2 1/2 hours trying to put us on fish.
Our last chance was some breaking 50 pound class yellowfin that were crashing on sardines and puffers (they were everywhere!)--some of the tuna jumping well clear of the water.
Everyone cast pencil baits and jigs, but there were no takers.
I looked off the stern, and saw a floating wood pallet about 80 yards astern. I cast a SW Krocodile almost to the pallet, and started grinding as fast as I could. I got bit, but it turned out to be a small wahoo.
Mr. Hayashi dug into my jig box, and tied on the same SW Kroc, and got bit near the pallet-- and landed a rather large "matsudai", which is a pelagic fish often found under floating debris offshore.
We did not get the ones we were after, but we all had a great day on the water.
The fish seem to have moved way up the coast, toward Izu Peninsula, near Tokyo. If they come within range again, I plan to give these nicer grade one day range yellowfin another try.
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