Two 800lb Bluefin, One Big Day of Gloucester Fishing

Happy New Year to all fishermen out there! As we settle in to a relatively-quiet January, it gives us time to be grateful for an awesome 2011 fishing season. Over the coming months we’ll reminisce with some highlights.

In one incredible day, Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters landed two 800-lb bluefin. One giant was an awesome rush. The fish fought a typical giant bluefin battle, and Tuna Hunter had her in the boat an hour, relatively short time.  The second bluefin, hooked up 2 hours later, gave a mighty battle that lasted into the dark.

Who cares if it’s dark, when this is the end result. The ladies decided to join this trip at the last minute – a sure case of Lady Luck in action. 

This late October trip is a good example of true giant bluefin tuna fishing. Our area has not seen giants like these in a few years. 200, 300 and 400lb fish have been the norm. These 700, 800 and 900 lbers were a welcome sight for Captain Gary, who has been targeting giants for over 30 years now. It was a pleasure to have these beauties pass through, and we are counting on them returning next season.  This is Gloucester tuna fishing at its best!
Tuna Hunter will be fishing again come April ~ Call 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com to reserve your fishing charter.

Gloucester Giant Blufin – 700lbs for Cajun Tide Beach

Tuna Hunter led the crew from Cajun Tide Beach Resort in Grand Ilse LA into 700lb giant bluefin tuna on a recent Gloucester fishing charter. 

It was a great fishing day, and a great fishing night.

The morning started out a typical tuna charter – catch some mackerel, sail out to Stellwagen, put up the kite for a day of tuna kite fishing.   Soon – hooked up!  Fred fought this bluefin tuna to the boat.  All agreed to tag and release this 61 inch in favor of a giant later in the day. Who knew!  2:45PM the rod went off, this time Mark took the reel … over 6 hours later, yup. after 9PM, the crew hauled this 700lb bluefin through the fish door.

Congratulations to angler Mark for a battle well fought. No doubt this fish was landed largely due to Mark’s skill and perseverance, and right moves by all aboard throughout the fight. We look forward to fishing with the Cajun Tide crew again!

Tuna Hunter is fishing every day through the first week in November.  Catch those October tuna days, or stock up on cod and haddock before the winter.  Call 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com for your fishing charter. Single? Call for our latest shared dates, or see http://www.tunahunter.com/split-charters.htm

Gloucester Tuna Fishing – Tag & Release for Research

Gloucester tuna fishing continues, with tuna being taken every day in all size categories. 

Tim and Liz spent several days stranded in Gloucester, tuna fishing of course. They opted to tag and release all of their non-giant bluefin tuna.  Makes for some great angling – and these two know their stuff -  and gives back a bit to bluefin research.

Per 2011 NMFS regulations, tuna 59 to 73 inches must be released. Tuna Hunter tags these tuna, using Large Pelagic Research Center tags, to support bluefin tuna research.

Tuna tagging is not difficult, This photo shows proper tag placement, then the fish was quickly released, right back out through the fish door.

Tuna Hunter is fishing every day through the first week in November.  Catch those October tuna days, or stock up on cod and haddock before the winter.  Call 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com for your fishing charter. Single? Call for our latest shared dates, or see http://www.tunahunter.com/split-charters.htm

Two for One – AccuTech Gloucester Bluefin Tuna Charter

Chris and the gang from AccuTech took advantage of the two-for-one bluefin tuna charter special aboard Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters on their recent charter.

Two Giant Bluefin Tuna for the AccuTech Team

Both tuna hit on the kite – if you have not seen it, it is an awesome sight to see a giant bluefin rise to the surface and smash a kite bait. As has been the usual, Tuna Hunter was kite fishing – dangling live bait just at the surface, using a fishing kite. On this day the tuna were there and hungry, and the AccuTech anglers did a fine job battling both fish to the boat.  Current NMFS Tuna regulations allow for up to three giants in one day. Bluefin of all sizes are in our area now, and will stay through September and October.  Tuna Hunter is ready to provide that three-for special – give us a call at 978-407-1351 to book your September tuna fishing charter out of Gloucester.  Congratulations to Chris and the AccuTech team, and Good fishing to all!

Evans Family Tuna Charter Success on Tuna Hunter

The Evans family’s recent bluefin tuna charter on Tuna Hunter yielded just the right size bluefin tuna for the grill, and some sushi along the way.

All family members took a turn on the reel, battling the bluefin to the boat where it was measured at 58 inches, just under the keeper limit.  Current (as of this trip)  bluefin tuna regulations allows for one fish 27-47, one 47-59, and tuna 59 to 73 must be released. Tuna Hunter practices tag and release, using tags from the Large Pelagic Research Center,  to support bluefin tuna research. We were ready to tag, but this tuna was a keeper.

Bluefin tuna of all sizes are in our waters off of Gloucester, MA, along Stellwagen Bank and northward into Ipswich Bay. Tuna Hunter fishes all over, according to the best reports and our recent experience. Tuna Hunter is fishing every day between now and November. We have some opening for your party, so give us a call 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com.  Good fishing to you! and congratulations to the Evans family

Striped Bass Charters – Family Fun

The MacDonough family had a blast on their recent Gloucester striped bass charter aboard Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters.

Alexis and Hunter teamed up for this striped bass – learning the entire process from catching live bait to baiting, hooking and fighting the fish along the way.   This trip was mainly offshore 1 to 2 miles, aiming fpr larger stripers that hang out off the Gloucester, Cape Ann coast. This type of striped bass charter is an alternative to striper charters that hugs the rocky coast along Kettle Island, Norman’s Woe, Mussel Point, Milk Island, Thatcher Island and beyond. Tuna Hunter knows the coast and the latest conditions, to adapt your charter to produce the best catch.

Tuna Hunter still has openings for full and half-day striped bass fishing, or full day bluefin tuna or cod and haddock fishing charters.  Give us a call 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com for your family fishing charter.

Pineapple Gang – Gloucester Cod Charter Blowout

The Pineapple Gang takes their cod fishing charters seriously. So serious, that this is their 8th year cod fishing aboard Tuna Hunter. Every year they are well prepared, well-dressed and have good success. They are all good anglers, and passionate about their fishing.

This year’s trip was no exception, and the fish cooperated – a non-stop blitz of large cod, all day long, with a breather at the slack.  Fish hit on a mix of jigs and clams. The usual. So why such a blitz? Good people, good times, plus Pineapple = Good Fishing.

Tuna Hunter has August openings – come out and cool off, enjoy great fishing and have a great time, call 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com

Hook, Line and Sinker Bachelor Party – Gloucester Tuna Fishing

The Hook, Line and Sinker bachelor party aboard Tuna Hunter yielded a great time for all, and a bluefin tuna in the boat.

Gloucester tuna fishing is in full swing now, with bluefin of all sizes Tuna Hunter uses a combination of kite fishing, speed jigs, balloons and sometimes trolling. In short, we have an arsenal of techniques and a ready to use whatever fish are responding to for the day’s conditions. This often means switching things up throughout the day, and using several techniques at once.

On the Hook, Line and Sinker success, the bluefin hit a balloon, passing up gorgeous kit bait – go figure. The fish hit on the Matsuura reel, making for a smooth angling experience. The Hook Line and Sinker team reeled the bluefin to the boat, where he measured just legal to take home. 

A good omen – land a bluefin and bring home sushi on your bachelor party!  Best wishes to Tim and his bride!

1. Gloucester tuna fishing will only get better form now through October. Call 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com for our latest openings. We look forward to hooking you into a nice Charlie.

 

Annual Nivens Family Gloucester Fishing Bonanza

The annual Nivens family reunion typically includes a Gloucester fishing charter aboard Tuna Hunter, and typical both sessions produce loads of fish, plenty to feed the extended family back home.  The 2011 bash was no exception. 

This year the morning team outshone with striped bass – over ten keepers to 40 inches. Hard to beat! The action was busy all morning, making it hard to leave to swap out for the afternoon crew.

In the afternoon, the striper action slowed, but the cod action picked up. Drift rigs for striped bass fishing where exchanged for bottom rigs for cod fishing, and soon everyone was contributed large codfish to the fish box.  Gloucester fishing at its finest! 

Join Tuna Hunter with your family for great fishing, and great fun. We look forward to fishing with you!

Green Mountain Boys

The Green Mountain Boys of Vermont enjoyed an awesome day of cod and haddock fishing aboard Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters.
Cod fishing is strong now through the summer.

These guys experienced a steady pick all morning, a lull at the tide change then several bouts of large cod at Tuna Hunter favorite numbers in the afternoon to top off the fish box.  Every day is a bit different, but anticipate fish hitting on jigs and bait, with slight fluctuations through the day as we move from spot to spot working through the tides.

Enjoy the excellent bottom fishing of Stellwagen Bank and surrounding waters – call us to arrange for your cod and haddock fishing charter,
 Captain Gary Cannell on Tuna Hunter, 978-407-1351 or captain@tunahunter.com