captains choice or ours?

[joe blair]

not trying to start anything but we are heading to obx next week for our annual 12 man fishing trip .the question is if the fishing is hot we could be back to the dock with a full load by 12:00 it has happened many times before.should a captain change tactics after the tuna limit is complete ie for ( mako wahoo dolphin )to continue fishing or is his job done for the day????.i know at this time of the year it may be hard to find other fish like amberjacks semi inshore.this is the first trip of the year i guess i just want to keep fishing as much as i can.is it possible to change tactics to limit the possibility of one fish or a other, such as spread or speed ?just want to get other peoples thoughs on the subject. and we do use the same captains year after year.

[Tuna Taxi]

You'll probably get a lot of advice and stories (good & bad) about this question. My $0.02 is get on the phone and talk to your captain and make sure he knows you want to fish a full day regardless of tuna limit. If he says he won't, book someone else. If you know what you want up front, and communicate it to the captain in advance of the trip, I'm sure any decent captain will give you what you want. Good luck. Hope you get that limit!

[Anthony`s Ark]

Tuna Taxi hit it on the head - Call the captain and make sure he knows you want to fish a full day. I have done this in the past and most Captains obliged.

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

I am gonna reply, but maybee I should not.

My job is to make my customers happy.

A limit of tuna, regurdless of how long it took, ususally does the trick, most people that are lucky enough for this to happen to appreciate the fact that we will get in a little early, with a box full of tunas!

It really depends upon what else is available, wheather we keep fishing or not. I remember a couple of stellar days when we caught a limit of kings, 15 tunas, 20 gaffers. We were out of room and ice, and everyone was happy.

If it is about noon when we are done, we are likely going home as we would fish only a couple three more hours anyway, I do however always discuss it with the crew and try to reach an understanding.

Also, size of the fish has a lot to do with it, if they are dinks, we will likely keep catching and releasing a little while. If they are 60 pounders we quit keeping them when the box is full, my fish box will hold 1000pounds, if you are not happy then, nothing I can do to help ya.

Lastly, don't count chickens.

My crew from monday, counted on catching a limit early and getting on the road to get home to watch the Heels win a National Championship. Well, we had three strikes all day and caught one of them. They had to stop at a bar in Hags Head to watch the game.

I fish about 150 days/year, and go home with a limit early about 4-6 times all year.

Lastly, let me add, I dispise waisting a resouce. There is no sense in killing something you are not going to put to good use. 500-700 pounds of tuna is more that most people can freeze, eat and give away. Not trying to limit people, just thinking conservitavely for the future. I have a lot of people that get back to the dock and wonder what the hell they are gonna do with all of this fish!

You must be happy with the boat you have chosen, because you go back every year.

My last bit of advice, call up your captain and ask him!

[lmontagnaj]

Well Said Jay!!!

I remember a couple of years ago I went offshore with Kenny Sexton (Skilligal) and we had a limit of YFT in the 60 lb range and we were back at the dock by noon. I gave the Capt. and Mate each a large charley and the remaining loins filled 2 - 150 qt. igloos. I gave almost all of the meat away once home. If we get a limit early I'm usually ready to go home.

I agree don't waste a resource.

[surfperch1]

Gas is expensive right now and they like to get it done and come home. Keep that in mind.

Also talk to the captian "Now" about what the plan is.

[joe blair]

well said capt.jay DO NOT GET ME WRONG i am always happy with just getting out and enjoying the day out .fish is just a plus i ejoy catch and release but that worries with tuna i have seen hooks in the eyes before and i do not want to injure a fish that will not be eaten ( by people) that said i respect the ability of any captain who can get you on the fish and put meat in the box.but we do pay good money to fish and thats what i want to do is fish as much as i can for as long as i can.reguardless of what goes in the box.HE WHO THINKS HE PUTS HIS MONEY DOWN AND YOU GET A FULL BOX IS A FOOL it is just a nice change of pace that when the boat is tied up at the end of the day i the customer can walk away .( we all know after a day off shore in our boats this is when the work starts .

[snowranger]

We fished with Capt. Jay on Monday and had hoped for a limit of yellowfin but it wasn't the day. Our crew would have been happy to catch a limit and head in early considering how late we got in on Sunday!

That being said, I asked Capt. Jay before we came down if we could target other fish if we had our limit in the A.M. By no means would I have expected to fish hard all day with a limit in the box already but I think it is reasonable to ask to fish a little longer for something. Capt. Jay said we could target makos or whatever but the limit didn't comeso it wasn't an issue.

Everyone is usually happy when the fish are biting so some communication about expectations and a little compromise will do the trick! It helps to bring plenty of food for your captain and mate too!

Tight lines,
Snowranger

[grin]

[raptor]

Hey if your chartering a boat you should have it for the day, if you come in in half a day you shouldnt ask for half your money back or expect the captain to give it back.
BUT you should have the option to stay out and chase a mako or choose what you keep or what you throw back.

you cant have it both ways and neither should the captain.

As far as gas obviously the prices charged reflect a captain assuming he might run all day, so if he comes in early he makes out and if he doesn't thats built in just like any other business.

I own a company and obviously when we have jobs close to the plant Im happier than if it an hour away and I dont have to pay all that gas for my trucks. But thats out of my control but budgeted for.

[Thunderflight]

I agree with Raptor.

TF