NJ Aug 1 Bluefin Tuna Trip

[peterb]

Took a 31' down east style boat out of Brigatine NJ (near AC) yesterday. We left the docks at 2am and went about 50 miles out (to a place called the lobster claw). We fished in about 160 feet of water. The water was about 74 degrees and dirty.

We were chunking and jigging. Fish were being marked but no takers. The capt goes all the way down to 30 pound floro leaders. 10 minutes later the system 30 rod next to me starts screaming. I pick it up, throw on my fishing belt and it's game on. 15 minutes later we boated the fish (a 110 pound bluefin that was 57" long).

Here are 2 pix of the fish. In the firt pix it looks like I am sleeping.

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An hour later another reel starts screaming. The other 4 guys took turns fighting this fish for the next 1 hour and 40 minutes. It broke off. I climbed up on the fly bridge to watch. I am guessing that it was a 175 to 200 pound fish.

They got it down to the leader about 4 or 5 times but then "the devil fish" would go on another big run.

All in all, a fun day on the water. I will be bringing down my SeaCraft to LBI next week and am ready to target the BFT's.

Peter