Brendan Monks Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) My first report so I'll try my best Raiders! 🤞 The weather was looking perfect for Saturday to finally try have a crack at a Yellowfin Tuna topwater I heard a lot were getting into. Family commitments stopped this as usual and I finally got home at 10:00pm. I could see Sundays forecast was looking even better for a shot, and we wanted to beat this big Southerly coming up so I tried to not let it worry me. 😂 Saturday night we heard it went off out of Swansea where we were planning to go (Yes, Very f@*#d off!), but we decided last minute to make the journey to Jervis Bay and chase Bluefin Tuna as it’s something we have talked about every season. It’s been 2 years since I’ve hooked and landed one of these beasts, but the confidence levels were very high! I arrived at my mates place at 1:50am and loaded the boat ‘Gomez’ for the 4 hour trip South, picking up another 2 mates on the way. Arriving at the ramp it looked choppy in close but we knew it was gonna die off mid-morning and launched with anticipation! OK the juicy bits…We decided to finally stop 55kms from the ramp in 2600m of water and proceeded to set the riggers etc. up ready for trolling. We had the usual 10-15 min discussion of what rods placed where (Running Talicas and 50W’s) and what lure colour/shape and position to set these in. 😂 We finally agreed 1 Talica run in shotgun set back 100m as it holds a lot of braid, and the other in short corner as this is where we have had previous Tuna bites, with the 50W’s in all the other positions (5 rods in total) and a mixture of soft plastics, skirts and hard bodies. We had been trolling for only approx. an hour whilst conditions were slowing glassing out and come across some marks on the sounder. “We’re on” was the call as soon as we saw the sounder and I managed to get the GoPro recording. 2 seconds later the tag line on long rigger pulled tight snapping the band and the rod buckled under 8kg of drag. We let this run for a couple of seconds hoping to get another bite! Sure enough, short corner buckled over under 12kg of drag followed by the tagline flinging back on short rigger as another soft plastic was smashed!!! We made the call to clear the spread as we had 4 MOB. One of my mates was rushing to get shotgun rod out of the binmi holders to avoid tangles when it is almost pulled from his hands as another beast smashes the bullet!! (All on video) Me and my mates jumped on a rod each while one drove the boat, with a small 20-25kg fish swimming boatside in a matter of minutes. Expecting all the other fish to be the same size (As normally is in tuna schools) we hoped to get the 3 other fish in quickly and released to keep trolling, chasing the 100kg + fish we were here for! Not complaining! After 20-30 mins and still no sign of coming up we all agreed the other fish had to have a bit more size. Eventually we have 2 fish slowly coming to the surface, not sure what fish to concentrate on, One starts the ‘Death circle’ and veers around the outboard tangling a line in the process! Two tangled lines quickly turns to three (Lucky it is all mono) and they both decide to take another run! F$@#K! Some quick thinking and we back two rods down to minimal drag in the hope to land at least one, whilst trying to untangle as line is disappearing deep fast. 15 mins later we have the first of the bigger fish estimated at 50kg swimming boatside, quickly followed by another of approx. the same size. As we lift him over his tail hits the drag lever to freespool resulting in a massive birds nest on the rod still hooked up, we slowly idled off the last fish clearing the tangle expecting to have lost it, but we come tight again. Pheeww! Another 20mins goes by and my mate passes over the rod after it slowly surfaces (He is now onto the second fish since hookup), we struggled to gain any line on this fish but finally comes within gaff range, I calmly gaff this fish in the mouth which is a lot larger then the others! We get him on deck and all hell breaks loose, we covered his eye to settle him before despatching and bleeding it humanely to get the best eating sashimi. All fish are in by 12:30pm with high fives and pictures all round. A beautiful run in back to the ramp, watching whales off the cliffs of JB feeding. An awesome day creating memories with mates, something we’ve talked about for years finally coming true, making it better going 4 from 4 with our first run this season! Somehow we muck around and I finally got home at 2:30am after cleaning and dropping off the boat. Biggest fish went 73.4kg. Yeeeww. Tight lines! 🤙 Cheers, Brendo Edited November 22, 2020 by Brendan Monks 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Monks Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) Some more pics of the day. 🤙🍻 Cheers, Brendo Edited September 11, 2020 by Brendan Monks 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 What an epic day and an awesome first report Brendo! You certainly did do the miles. People see other people holding up a fish like that and go that’s great but don’t realise the amount of effort that goes into it. Well done 👏 cheers scratchie!!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmk1962 Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) What a first report !! Brendo you’ve set the bar very high for subsequent ones. Just awesome outcome and report. Woollamia ramp?? cheers Zoran Edited July 21, 2020 by zmk1962 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Fantastic report and thanks for the effort. A day to remember 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfish Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Thats certainly a great day out Brendo, awesome fish, awesome report and awesome photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smobaby Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Good on you Brendo top report and fish need to be out there to get them lucky you went south 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARC H Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Nice Bud!! 👌 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirvin21 Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 awesome write up mate, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Looks like great fun. Is this a commercial set up, looks pretty serious? Can you elaborate on how you look after the catch from getting it on board, killing & storing please, just curious. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Amazing effort! You certainly put in the miles! Well done! I think I’m getting too old for that kind of fishing... I’d need to fit in a “nanna nap”/poppy flop” there somehow! 😂 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Monks Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, Scratchie said: What an epic day and an awesome first report Brendo! You certainly did do the miles. People see other people holding up a fish like that and go that’s great but don’t realise the amount of effort that goes into it. Well done 👏 cheers scratchie!!! Yeah, thats right mate! A lot of effort in the initial stages of researching etc. will pay off in the long run - That's for any types of fishing! I guess its all part of the adventure as well! 🤙 13 hours ago, zmk1962 said: What a first report !! Brendo you’ve set the bar very high for subsequent ones. Just awesome outcome and report. Woollamia ramp?? cheers Zoran Appreciate it Zoran! Does Currarong Boat ramp sound right? Not very familiar with the area?! 12 hours ago, mrsswordfisherman said: Fantastic report and thanks for the effort. A day to remember 12 hours ago, Blackfish said: Thats certainly a great day out Brendo, awesome fish, awesome report and awesome photos. 12 hours ago, Smobaby said: Good on you Brendo top report and fish need to be out there to get them lucky you went south 10 hours ago, ARC H said: Nice Bud!! 👌 9 hours ago, dirvin21 said: awesome write up mate, 1 hour ago, Berleyguts said: Amazing effort! You certainly put in the miles! Well done! I think I’m getting too old for that kind of fishing... I’d need to fit in a “nanna nap”/poppy flop” there somehow! 😂 Thanks legends!! 🤙 1 hour ago, kingie chaser said: Looks like great fun. Is this a commercial set up, looks pretty serious? Can you elaborate on how you look after the catch from getting it on board, killing & storing please, just curious. Yeah man, the froth is real when the ratchet goes off!! 🤪 Not a commercial setup, just really into our game fishing! As soon as we get the fish in the boat we knife it in between the eyes to put it out of its misery, then a small nick 15-20mm deep under its pec fin into a main artery (You will know when you get it!) Also can cut down near the tail. If we have fish bags we load these into an ice slurry to cool ASAP, If we don't we try cool them down quickly as possible with wet towels, or gut them and place ice inside the gut cavity. IMO you can definitely see and taste the difference in tuna that has been well looked after, but I'm sure everyone has their own way! 🤙 Edited July 21, 2020 by Brendan Monks Spelling mistake 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlvbw Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 WOW, WOW, WOW! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Cracking first report, cracking fish, cracking memories !!! Welcome to fishraider Brendan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Great report and Super, Super photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Monks Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 6 hours ago, dlvbw said: WOW, WOW, WOW! 6 hours ago, GoingFishing said: Cracking first report, cracking fish, cracking memories !!! Welcome to fishraider Brendan 5 minutes ago, Rebel said: Great report and Super, Super photos. Thanks guys!! 🤙 Looking to learn a lot more off this site! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 10 hours ago, Berleyguts said: I think I’m getting too old for that kind of fishing... I’d need to fit in a “nanna nap”/poppy flop” there somehow! 😂 I am hearing you Baz, still some of us think of these things a what would/could be a once in a lifetime thing. I know Id pop some Trava calm on the way out & hit some muscle relaxants on the way home just to have the experience!! 9 hours ago, Brendan Monks said: Yeah man, the froth is real when the ratchet goes off!! 🤪 Not a commercial setup, just really into our game fishing! As soon as we get the fish in the boat we knife it in between the eyes to put it out of its misery, then a small nick 15-20mm deep under its pec fin into a main artery (You will know when you get it!) Also can cut down near the tail. If we have fish bags we load these into an ice slurry to cool ASAP, If we don't we try cool them down quickly as possible with wet towels, or gut them and place ice inside the gut cavity. IMO you can definitely see and taste the difference in tuna that has been well looked after, but I'm sure everyone has their own way! 🤙 Thanks for that, Ive seen the pec fin tech on vid but not in person. Looks very efficient which is all that counts right! I've read that gutting & icing will cool down the fish for the best outcome on the plate, Why wouldnt you have bags if your going out targeting them?? If heard of some people using surf board bags as ice bags, whats your thoughts on that?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAKSShark Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 1 hour ago, kingie chaser said: If heard of some people using surf board bags as ice bags, whats your thoughts on that?? Would want it to be a old one😀😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Monks Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 12 hours ago, kingie chaser said: I've read that gutting & icing will cool down the fish for the best outcome on the plate, Why wouldnt you have bags if your going out targeting them?? If heard of some people using surf board bags as ice bags, whats your thoughts on that?? We simply don't have fish bags on this boat as they are so expensive! (Have used them on other boats though) Funny you mention the surfboard bags! We had a local tell us about these, next time we are chasing tunas we will be taking a long board bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 2 hours ago, Brendan Monks said: We simply don't have fish bags on this boat as they are so expensive! (Have used them on other boats though) Funny you mention the surfboard bags! We had a local tell us about these, next time we are chasing tunas we will be taking a long board bag. Yes I heard that one on a fishing show on the radio, sounded like a good Maguiver fix or even a cheap way of doing it. You can get a padded surf board bag for as little as $55 Some of those Vynal bags are still reasonable, Im looking at one from B.C.F @ $90 but looks like they only have mediums(1mx60cm) available & not the large unfortunaley. You certainly have that boat set up really well. What make is that boat if you dont mind me asking? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Monks Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 1 hour ago, kingie chaser said: Yes I heard that one on a fishing show on the radio, sounded like a good Maguiver fix or even a cheap way of doing it. You can get a padded surf board bag for as little as $55 Some of those Vynal bags are still reasonable, Im looking at one from B.C.F @ $90 but looks like they only have mediums(1mx60cm) available & not the large unfortunaley. You certainly have that boat set up really well. What make is that boat if you dont mind me asking? I found an old insulated longboard bag in the shed, so this will be coming with us next trip we chase tunas. Regarding the chiller bags, we would need the 'Maxi' bag (Tuna last trip went 1.62m short length) From memory these are $280.00 at least!! Yeah, My mate has done an excellent job on his boat! I also have a 21ft Seaswirl Striper CC but his is set up specifically for game fishing! The boat is a 18ft Carribean/Pride Gazelle hull I think. 🤙 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vara Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 19 hours ago, kingie chaser said: Yes I heard that one on a fishing show on the radio, sounded like a good Maguiver fix or even a cheap way of doing it. You can get a padded surf board bag for as little as $55 Some of those Vynal bags are still reasonable, Im looking at one from B.C.F @ $90 but looks like they only have mediums(1mx60cm) available & not the large unfortunaley. You certainly have that boat set up really well. What make is that boat if you dont mind me asking? Great report congrats. That’s a lot of fish .... does it freeze well. whats the bag limit on southern bluefin. Not suggesting anything just interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 1 hour ago, Vara said: Great report congrats. That’s a lot of fish .... does it freeze well. whats the bag limit on southern bluefin. Not suggesting anything just interested. Its not my thread, but Tuna is quite a soft flesh & imo eats better fresh, in saying that in the foodservice industry some Tuna, swordfish, Marliin steaks/products are frozen & still eat well. If it is frozen I would be making sure it is in vaccum sealed bags. Another method to utilise an over abundance of Tuna is to bottle preserve it like the italians have been for centuries, then you could have Tuna availavle for 12 months- https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/preserved-tuna-0 https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/tuna-oil-tonno-sottolio As far as bag limits go they are here- https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs/saltwater-bag-and-size-limits 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 Congratulations on catching three awesome fish!!! Beautiful looking rig and some very nice looking rods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Monks Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 24 minutes ago, kingie chaser said: Its not my thread, but Tuna is quite a soft flesh & imo eats better fresh, in saying that in the foodservice industry some Tuna, swordfish, Marliin steaks/products are frozen & still eat well. If it is frozen I would be making sure it is in vaccum sealed bags. Another method to utilise an over abundance of Tuna is to bottle preserve it like the italians have been for centuries, then you could have Tuna availavle for 12 months- https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/preserved-tuna-0 https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/tuna-oil-tonno-sottolio As far as bag limits go they are here- https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs/saltwater-bag-and-size-limits Cheers Kingie Chaser! Yes we vac sealed all the fish which still freezes well. We gave a lot away to mates that had already asked for some fish before the trip! We had 4 MOB but still offloaded one fish to another boat, froth levels from the kids was amazing!! 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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