Tuna 2024

[Evan B]

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Let's see, Id be all over an October tuna run ... IF didn't have to finish painting the interior of our new house ... build temporary back stairs for occupancy requirements until I get the deck built .... put in a dog door and temporary dog fence... build a pump house ... finish packing .... do dump runs ... rent a dry box.... move my half built boat ... work 3 and 4 12hr days a week ... and MAYBE fit in a quickie post rain coho trip or two.



16 pints canned and maybe 10lbs smoked isn't what I'd call fully stocked but will have to do .

Had a restaurant ahi poke bowl for dinner last night. It was good but I can safely say fresh albacore ceviche and sashimi is just as good, if not better.

I'll take properly cared for albacore poke/sashimi over ahi any day 10 times out of 10. Ahi holds up better to the whole market chain thing vs albacore which is suuuuuuuper delicate and can go to crap with any hiccup in the cold chain custody. I've carked tuna for friends when they bought them off the dock, and the meat on those was always so, so mushy and not at all fresh feeling/smelling. I can't imagine what they'd be like if they made it to a sushi bar. But... that's why most albacore is canned. That's why those of us who get the fresh stuff should appreciate what we gots and enjoy them in ways most don't get to

I've canned three cases of half pint jars of chinooks I've caught the last two weeks. Loooooooooove canned salmon. I've canned a few albacore over the years on my own, and it's just not my bag. Didn't like it from the can from the store, and don't prefer it when I do it myself. If it needs a bunch of mayo to be awesome, then I'll just keep doing my poke and sashimi

 

[Bagman]

I'll take properly cared for albacore poke/sashimi over ahi any day 10 times out of 10. Ahi holds up better to the whole market chain thing vs albacore which is suuuuuuuper delicate and can go to crap with any hiccup in the cold chain custody. I've carked tuna for friends when they bought them off the dock, and the meat on those was always so, so mushy and not at all fresh feeling/smelling. I can't imagine what they'd be like if they made it to a sushi bar. But... that's why most albacore is canned. That's why those of us who get the fresh stuff should appreciate what we gots and enjoy them in ways most don't get to

I've canned three cases of half pint jars of chinooks I've caught the last two weeks. Loooooooooove canned salmon. I've canned a few albacore over the years on my own, and it's just not my bag. Didn't like it from the can from the store, and don't prefer it when I do it myself. If it needs a bunch of mayo to be awesome, then I'll just keep doing my poke and sashimi

Canning in the pressure cooker is a pain but I do enjoy my home canned albacore, and so does everyone the I give some to.

 

[Evan B]

Canning in the pressure cooker is a pain but I do enjoy my home canned albacore, and so does everyone the I give some to.

Hah, it sure is. I'm running mine today and ran it yesterday. I can a ton of salmon in the fall and it's not my favorite process, but love the outcome.

And yeah, nothing wrong with canned albacore, just not something anyone in my house prefers.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

I'll take properly cared for albacore poke/sashimi over ahi any day 10 times out of 10. Ahi holds up better to the whole market chain thing vs albacore which is suuuuuuuper delicate and can go to crap with any hiccup in the cold chain custody. I've carked tuna for friends when they bought them off the dock, and the meat on those was always so, so mushy and not at all fresh feeling/smelling. I can't imagine what they'd be like if they made it to a sushi bar. But... that's why most albacore is canned. That's why those of us who get the fresh stuff should appreciate what we gots and enjoy them in ways most don't get to

Absolutely! They're kinda like raspberries or wild strawberries in that way.

[Retracted. I seem to be in error.]

Edit: Retraction

 

[Nick Clayton]

Absolutely! They're kinda like raspberries or wild strawberries in that way.

That said, and I'm not gonna second-guess Nick or his deckhand de jour because they're working like demons 15+ hours a day and I don't really want to add to their workload, but maybe Mark could let them bleed the fish right after they gaff them. I bloodline the meat as soon as I'm off the boat, and it makes a hell of a difference, but if we bled them better out there I swear the taste would be even better.

99% of all fish that come into my boat get bled before they ever come off the gaff. Occasionally we have to drop one in certain scenarios, but any fish that we drop gets cut as soon as possible. Bleeding them as quickly as possible is always a huge priority.

Personally, with very, very few exceptions, I gaff, pull the hook, then cut them prior to removing the gaff. I do this partly to bleed them immediately, but also to avoid any confusion regarding which fish have been cut or not during a chaotic stop.

On fly trips it's pretty easy to keep up with them most of the time. When fishing bait sometimes things get extremely chaotic, but I can confidently say that bleeding fish is still always a top priority.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

99% of all fish that come into my boat get bled before they ever come off the gaff. Occasionally we have to drop one in certain scenarios, but any fish that we drop gets cut as soon as possible. Bleeding them as quickly as possible is always a huge priority.

Personally, with very, very few exceptions, I gaff, pull the hook, then cut them prior to removing the gaff. I do this partly to bleed them immediately, but also to avoid any confusion regarding which fish have been cut or not during a chaotic stop.

On fly trips it's pretty easy to keep up with them most of the time. When fishing bait sometimes things get extremely chaotic, but I can confidently say that bleeding fish is still always a top priority.

Sorry, my recollection must bad. I was thinking of times when fish have sat piling on deck with only the gaff poke to bleed them, and I thought the stated reason was that Mark didn’t want you all drenching the boat.

I retract my previous statement. Please accept my apologies.

 

[SilverFly]

99% of all fish that come into my boat get bled before they ever come off the gaff. Occasionally we have to drop one in certain scenarios, but any fish that we drop gets cut as soon as possible. Bleeding them as quickly as possible is always a huge priority.

Personally, with very, very few exceptions, I gaff, pull the hook, then cut them prior to removing the gaff. I do this partly to bleed them immediately, but also to avoid any confusion regarding which fish have been cut or not during a chaotic stop.

On fly trips it's pretty easy to keep up with them most of the time. When fishing bait sometimes things get extremely chaotic, but I can confidently say that bleeding fish is still always a top priority.

What are the thoughts on brain spiking? I did one of mine when Cal had to gaff another.

My understanding is to stop muscle activity, and more heat build up. But does spiking stop the heart, and slow or stop bleed out?

 

[SilverFly]

I'll take properly cared for albacore poke/sashimi over ahi any day 10 times out of 10. Ahi holds up better to the whole market chain thing vs albacore which is suuuuuuuper delicate and can go to crap with any hiccup in the cold chain custody. I've carked tuna for friends when they bought them off the dock, and the meat on those was always so, so mushy and not at all fresh feeling/smelling. I can't imagine what they'd be like if they made it to a sushi bar. But... that's why most albacore is canned. That's why those of us who get the fresh stuff should appreciate what we gots and enjoy them in ways most don't get to

I've canned three cases of half pint jars of chinooks I've caught the last two weeks. Loooooooooove canned salmon. I've canned a few albacore over the years on my own, and it's just not my bag. Didn't like it from the can from the store, and don't prefer it when I do it myself. If it needs a bunch of mayo to be awesome, then I'll just keep doing my poke and sashimi

I try to mix some belly loin in each jar. Seems to help the need for mayo factor. I've been tempted to put in a few chunks of belly meat, but love smoked bellies too much to waste it in a jar.

You bring up a good point though. Mayo is nothing more than olive oil and lemon juice. Thinking next year I will pack the jars with quality grade extra virgin and top with a slice of lemon.

 

[Nick Clayton]

It's definitely not over.

After a handful of weather days we got back out today. Took a while to find it, and unfortunately our other boats were too far away to capitalize when I did find it, but oh boy.

Pic doesn't do this fish justice but it's the single biggest albacore I've ever put in a boat. I actually caught it myself and it hurt me. Badly. Even on Cals heavy rod. I had almost pulled out a bug rod but didn't just because the fish were so damn big. After hooking this behemoth I'm glad I didn't. Didn't scale it but I'd put a confident guess at 42-44 lbs. 40" long.

We also got spooled by something very large that ate an anchovy. My best guess is thresher just based on my one experience with one, but we never actually saw it. Fully dumped a bait reel.

 

[Nick Clayton]

What are the thoughts on brain spiking? I did one of mine when Cal had to gaff another.

My understanding is to stop muscle activity, and more heat build up. But does spiking stop the heart, and slow or stop bleed out?

I spiked quite a few fish when I was deck handing, but moved away from it. Just never saw any evidence when I was cutting fish that it was worth the effort.

 

[jasmillo]

It's definitely not over.

After a handful of weather days we got back out today. Took a while to find it, and unfortunately our other boats were too far away to capitalize when I did find it, but oh boy.

Pic doesn't do this fish justice but it's the single biggest albacore I've ever put in a boat. I actually caught it myself and it hurt me. Badly. Even on Cals heavy rod. I had almost pulled out a bug rod but didn't just because the fish were so damn big. After hooking this behemoth I'm glad I didn't. Didn't scale it but I'd put a confident guess at 42-44 lbs. 40" long.

We also got spooled by something very large that ate an anchovy. My best guess is thresher just based on my one experience with one, but we never actually saw it. Fully dumped a bait reel.


View attachment 128454

Did you retrieve my spawnhead fly from the jaw of that fish? Pretty sure that’s the one that finally broke my perfection loop.

 

[SilverFly]

It's definitely not over.

After a handful of weather days we got back out today. Took a while to find it, and unfortunately our other boats were too far away to capitalize when I did find it, but oh boy.

Pic doesn't do this fish justice but it's the single biggest albacore I've ever put in a boat. I actually caught it myself and it hurt me. Badly. Even on Cals heavy rod. I had almost pulled out a bug rod but didn't just because the fish were so damn big. After hooking this behemoth I'm glad I didn't. Didn't scale it but I'd put a confident guess at 42-44 lbs. 40" long.

We also got spooled by something very large that ate an anchovy. My best guess is thresher just based on my one experience with one, but we never actually saw it. Fully dumped a bait reel.


View attachment 128454

Wow, what a slab!

Need some more deets on the spooling. What was the run like (fast, straight, surface, sounding, etc..)? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Evan B]

I'm eying this coming weekend ☺

 

[clarkman]

jesus christ, @Nick Clayton , that thing is a fuckin' hawg!

 

[Kfish]

What a friggin stud! Fish, not you

 

[Bagman]

It's definitely not over.

After a handful of weather days we got back out today. Took a while to find it, and unfortunately our other boats were too far away to capitalize when I did find it, but oh boy.

Pic doesn't do this fish justice but it's the single biggest albacore I've ever put in a boat. I actually caught it myself and it hurt me. Badly. Even on Cals heavy rod. I had almost pulled out a bug rod but didn't just because the fish were so damn big. After hooking this behemoth I'm glad I didn't. Didn't scale it but I'd put a confident guess at 42-44 lbs. 40" long.

We also got spooled by something very large that ate an anchovy. My best guess is thresher just based on my one experience with one, but we never actually saw it. Fully dumped a bait reel.


View attachment 128454

Now that an albacore too be proud of my good man.

 

[Nick Clayton]

Wow, what a slab!

Need some more deets on the spooling. What was the run like (fast, straight, surface, sounding, etc..)? Inquiring minds want to know!

Happened during a decent bait stop so didn't see the initial hookup or how long it was on, but first took interest when it ran way up ahead of the boat and the guy was commenting about running out of line. He had way more line than he thought, but I started paying attention.

It didn't sound, but wasn't right on the surface either. Just way up ahead of the boat. He couldn't make any ground on it. Eventually it was way ahead but also on the other side of the boat so I ended up walking the rod around the bow. It was heavy, with large pumps in the rod (had me thinking thresher tail). Got it back in his hand, and it kinda just started steady taking line, but not super fast. It would stop then he could get a little line back, but not a lot.

At this point the bait stop had ended so I told the bait guys to bring their lines in, and was just headed to the wheel to considering putting the boat in gear to help him gain line when it just took off. No jumps but it wasn't super deep. It dumped his reel before I could get to the wheel.

Whole thing reminded me of the big thresher we fought for a half hour or so maybe 5 years ago. Especially the big pumps in the rod. Would have liked to see if, but if it was a thresher I would have just broke it off anyway.

 

[Evan B]

I'm eying this coming weekend ☺

Maybe not...

 

[Bagman]

Happened during a decent bait stop so didn't see the initial hookup or how long it was on, but first took interest when it ran way up ahead of the boat and the guy was commenting about running out of line. He had way more line than he thought, but I started paying attention.

It didn't sound, but wasn't right on the surface either. Just way up ahead of the boat. He couldn't make any ground on it. Eventually it was way ahead but also on the other side of the boat so I ended up walking the rod around the bow. It was heavy, with large pumps in the rod (had me thinking thresher tail). Got it back in his hand, and it kinda just started steady taking line, but not super fast. It would stop then he could get a little line back, but not a lot.

At this point the bait stop had ended so I told the bait guys to bring their lines in, and was just headed to the wheel to considering putting the boat in gear to help him gain line when it just took off. No jumps but it wasn't super deep. It dumped his reel before I could get to the wheel.

Whole thing reminded me of the big thresher we fought for a half hour or so maybe 5 years ago. Especially the big pumps in the rod. Would have liked to see if, but if it was a thresher I would have just broke it off anyway.

I’ll take two 20 pounders over one 40+ pounder. I enjoy watching someone else landed a 40+ pounder but even a 25-30 pounder is enough for me.

 

[Buzzy]

Tuna belly -
I'm curious about how various anglers prepare/utilize the prized belly. For sashimi, what techniques do you use to clean the belly meat? Or do you smoke the belly or.....?