Bluefin Fishing in Massachusetts

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:32 am

Okay here are the pictures and the story of our successful Bluefin Tuna hunting trip out of Martha's Vineyard. We ran out about 50 miles east of Oak Bluffs, which put us about 30 miles east of Nantucket. This area is known for its typically snotty seas, but the day we went there were only 1-2 foot rollers. This pic is form Scott Traenkle's B31 "High Hopes," running east at 22 knots into the sunrise. It looks like we are standing still. I think this pic could win an award [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 01.jpg[/img] After a 2+ hour run we arrived at the fishing grounds. We saw birds everywhere, and Minky Whales, Pilot Whales, and Humpback Whales chasing bait pods to the surface all around us. Was really quite a sight for me, never before having seen a live whale in my lifetime. We were definitely in the right spot. After only 15 minutes of pulling the rigs we got hit three times. The first one broke the rig instantly- either a really big fish or a faulty rig. Immediately after that we got a double hit. Scott took the fighting chair and fought in a 75 pound Bluefin while I held my fish in place. We boated the 75#, but lost the one I had on hook, which judging by its pull was much bigger. Not sure what happened, we fought him to 20 feet behind the boat, kept constant pressure on him, but he suddenly shook off the hook anyway. These fish fight hard and we all took turns at the reel in the chair, because the fight these monsters put up wears you out fast. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 02.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 03.jpg[/img] After fighting the first two fish and boating one of them, the highlight of the day was the ~120 pound Bluefin, that we also boated. Again, we hooked up after only about 15 minutes of trolling. This was also a long fight. Rachel was helping my blonde-haired buddy from St. Pete Florida pull on the rod that made for another frame-worthy picture. She was the only female on board that day...Rachel can drink, fish, and hang with the boys. The second pic is Scott fighting him to the boat. He was the only one who had the rhythm to do it and was pretty proud of that, but we wore the fish down for him first

[img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 04.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 05.jpg[/img] I was the gaff man for the day, and the only gaff we took had a small hook better suited for Mahi than for Bluefin. The first attempt I hooked the sucker but could tell that I had a gaff hook full of meat, no bone. Not much else to do but to try to pick him up anyway, and the gaff pulled out. At that point I was pissed at that fish. The second gaff I got around the tailbone, and then with an adrenaline-assisted pull managed to huff the sucker into the boat. Almost slapped Scott in the face with the fish. After that he asked me how much I thought it weighed, I had no idea. I swear if the second gaff missed, I was going overboard after that fish. You can see the gash in the side of the fish from the first gaff attempt, and also what I look like on an adrenaline rush [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 06.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 07.jpg[/img] Now for the gore - Bloody Decks. Scott's boat needed a tampon when we got in and started washing down High Hopes, the blige pumps ran red with Tuna blood [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 08.jpg[/img] The boated prizes displayed by the boat captian, who in the second shot looks like he needs to hit the gym a little more often: [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 10.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 09.jpg[/img] The big Bluefin doesn't even fit into the cooler: [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 11.jpg[/img] And the pose picture at the dock. Somehow I forgot to get myself in a picture holding the fish. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Tuna 12.jpg[/img] A big thanks to Timmy who cut these guys up at the docks and dressed all the filets. Most of it got consumed at the rendevous the next day. I also hear Frank & Doug L. each ate about 5 pounds Friday night. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:47 am

Sean, I am pretty sure Doug was not near the boat when Timmy cut up the meat but I ate his share I'm pretty sure. What happened was, right behind my boat, Timmy cut up the belly meat for sushimi , which was fantastic! , which we shared with whoever would eat it. Then he finished cutting the rest into steaks, some of which were put into bags to marinate. I cooked as much as I could on my grille and fed anyone that wanted any that evening . It was the best fish, or any type of meat I've ever eaten. Now I see why they pay so much for this stuff. On saturday night the catering guy cooked up some more for anyone that wanted it but I tried it and wasn't as impressed with the taste. I think he over cooked the outside meat. So, what happened to you that friday afternoon? We had a great time eating your fish..I just kept feeding Timmy vodka and he kept cutting fish.

Scott Traenkle · Post by **Scott Traenkle** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:58 am

Sean: Great pictures and thanks for coming up and fishing with me. Although I love fishing, it is something I just can find the time or money to do very often and it was a great time. It was also a treat to share the fish with so many people. As an addendum though, the small fish was closer to 50 or 60 and the big one was probably closer to 100 to 110, but still pretty good fish. Thanks to all of you who showed up in Oak Bluffs, I hade a great time and it was good to meet so many of the 33 guys. Scott Traenkle

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:11 am

Scott , Thank you for putting in all the effort that it took for the get-together. It was nice to meet you and all the other people around that weekend. We had a great time , even though our fishing trip didn't have as good an outcome as yours. And , again, thanks for the tuna. It was great!

Post by **Admin** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:58 am

Nice report Sean, thanks for sharing!

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:18 am

Nice fish!!!!!!!! I hope to make the trip up next year!

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 6:42 am

quote:Originally posted by Scott Traenkle As an addendum though, the small fish was closer to 50 or 60 and the big one was probably closer to 100 to 110, but still pretty good fish. Well nobody weighed crap, so 75# and 120# is MY story and I'm sticking to it dammit. Next week it'll be 90# and 140# however.... Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 6:53 am

quote:Originally posted by franklyprice I am pretty sure Doug was not near the boat when Timmy cut up the meat but I ate his share I'm pretty sure. What happened was, right behind my boat, Timmy cut up the belly meat for sushimi , which was fantastic! , which we shared with whoever would eat it. Then he finished cutting the rest into steaks, some of which were put into bags to marinate. I cooked as much as I could on my grille and fed anyone that wanted any that evening . It was the best fish, or any type of meat I've ever eaten. Now I see why they pay so much for this stuff. I met Doug L. when he came over to Scott's slip with Timmy. We lured them over when we went by your side of the harbor holding up the fish, honking the horn and hollering like maniacs on our way in. I thought he was eating it with you guys that afternoon, must have received a bad report. Glad you liked it. I still won't do raw fish, I don't care what kind it is. I have never cleaned a fish I couldn't find worms in if I looked for them, and so have my reasons. I think the Japanese didn't know how to make fire so, they came up with that sushi stuff. But lightly-seared fresh Tuna is the best! I never had any at the party because I ate about a pound of it just an hour before I went, so I don't know how he cooked it. quote:Originally posted by franklyprice So, what happened to you that friday afternoon? We had a great time eating your fish Out cold. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 6:57 am

Way cool Sean!!! You're the Tunamister buddy, nice job! Love the blood too! 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... xandra.jpg[/img] HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BERTRAM PRIDE '06 yet? DO IT NOW... SPACE IS LIMITED!

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:04 pm

Finally we see some Blood! Now we know who didn't go to Pop's Fish Market. Gene Dugan

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:39 pm

Damn right Gene! That first Pop's FIsh Market comment you made cracked me up Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]