We got 2 days of fishing in. I tried to upload a video to photobucket but it wont take it for some reason. In the video it shows that we ran into a school of porpoises. There were quite a bunch of boats on them. The idea for catching schoolie tuna is to get in front of the porpoise. The theory is that tuna run under the schools of porpoise. We were using cut Humboldt squid both for bait and for chum. Once in front of the porpoise the boat is stopped and the hooked bait is thrown into the water followed by a handful of cut bait as chum. The theory is that the hooked bait and the chum sink at the same time bring the tuna up to feed. It is a gun and run game of leap frogging the porpoise. All the boats were doing the same thing.
One cannot post a thread about Baja without the commensurate photo of the sunrise.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000165_zps9kqyecg1.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000165_zps9kqyecg1.jpg.html)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000166_zpsmfjtbygn.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000166_zpsmfjtbygn.jpg.html)
We ended up with a total of 8 schoolie size tuna to 25 lbs. Here we are gunning to get around the porpoise. (By the way we do this on poropise) bada boom.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000134_zpsp42vcyok.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000134_zpsp42vcyok.jpg.html)
Here's my fishing buddy Joe hooked into a tuna. He is using the boat's tackle which turned out to have rods too light to lift tuna.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000135_zpsaywfjsub.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000135_zpsaywfjsub.jpg.html)
Joe draws first blood.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000136_zps7u1sa24w.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000136_zps7u1sa24w.jpg.html)
I used the spiral wrapped rod I bought from Alan Chui (Black Pearl). The rod was exactly what was needed for these schoolie sized tuna. I combined it with a Penn International Torque 300. The rod was stiff enough to lift the fish and flexible enough to get a good bend.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000138_zpscgh7n1r8.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000138_zpscgh7n1r8.jpg.html)
Here is the mate Rickie with a cutting board full of cut Humboldt squid.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000137_zpst0qiwztj.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000137_zpst0qiwztj.jpg.html)
Here is a small tuna heading for the ice box, or is it a fish box???
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000140_zpse8nym220.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000140_zpse8nym220.jpg.html)
Here's Joe with another for the box.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000141_zpsemcyw9fv.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000141_zpsemcyw9fv.jpg.html)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000142_zpse5z6gbyl.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000142_zpse5z6gbyl.jpg.html)
That's what happens when one has the camera. I hardly get my picture taken.
Here is Capitano Christian bleeding one of the fish.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000147_zpssz1zloem.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000147_zpssz1zloem.jpg.html)
Joe got this decent size yellow fin. Check out the grin on his face.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000152_zpskgf4jkbh.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000152_zpskgf4jkbh.jpg.html)
I had the Nep-Tuna cradle reel with me as I wanted to catch a tuna. Unfortunately I did not catch a tuna but I did catch a Rooster Fish with it.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000153_zpsaakhgbr8.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000153_zpsaakhgbr8.jpg.html)
The rooster fish is a tough fighter but it was no match for the cradle reel with a 9/0 Senator. We ended up catching 4 rooster then went after some tuna. We got skunked on the tuna the 2nd day of fishing.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000161_zps7z9ep0zj.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000161_zps7z9ep0zj.jpg.html)
Here are some photos without narration.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000156_zpsyepn6xai.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000156_zpsyepn6xai.jpg.html)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000162_zpsj8mgjqj1.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000162_zpsj8mgjqj1.jpg.html)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000163_zpsyuzu7vsw.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000163_zpsyuzu7vsw.jpg.html)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000159_zps2n8qicqr.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000159_zps2n8qicqr.jpg.html)
This last picture is Salvador the fish cutter. That knife he is wielding is as sharp as a razor.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000158_zpswve5x7nw.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/CABO%20OCTOBER%202016/P1000158_zpswve5x7nw.jpg.html)
Nice trip Dominick!
Dominick, could you please explain / define this cradle reel. How did come about ? What is the reason they exist ?....Jeff
Dominick
Have you ever thought about putting the Squid through a meat grinder for Chum. I used a hand grinder for years.
Mike
Quote from: Rivverrat on November 04, 2016, 12:19:15 AM
Dominick, could you please explain / define this cradle reel. How did come about ? What is the reason they exist ?....Jeff
Jeff. Check these links. http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=10064.msg168313#msg168313 http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=14857.0 These were made about 50 years or more ago. I guess they were too expensive and did not catch on. I never did any research on them. Dominick
Here's one more link. http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=19532.0;topicseen
Quote from: bluefish69 on November 04, 2016, 01:07:33 AM
Dominick
Have you ever thought about putting the Squid through a meat grinder for Chum. I used a hand grinder for years.
Mike
Mike. The tuna are line shy. So we use Flouro carbon and hook a piece of squid the same size as the chum so that the hooked piece sinks at the same time as the handful of pieces thrown as chum. It is not like chumming for blues when I was back east. Back east it was making an oil slick of ground fish which made a chum line that the fish follow to the boat. It is a little different for tuna. So grinding would make the pieces too small. Dominick
For Tuna here they mix Ground Chum with Cut Pieces
And you did all this on porpoise? Ba boom.
Domnick great report and good looking fish.....glad to see the Nep-Tuna made it and caught some fish.....We are gonna have to get the Nep-Tunas together for a group shot....Bill
Quote from: TARFU on November 04, 2016, 02:37:11 AM
Domnick great report and good looking fish.....glad to see the Nep-Tuna made it and caught some fish.....We are gonna have to get the Nep-Tunas together for a group shot....Bill
Good idea Bill. But where are you going to get 50 year old sand paper??? ;D ;D ;D Dominick
maybe I can find a 50 yo can of cool beans and use the label ::)
Nice job as usual Dominick and Joe. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like a wonderful trip. Thanks for taking us along.
Great shots Dominick.
Good to see you and Joe on some fish. ;)
Thanks for taking us along, Dominick!
Best,
Fred
Great report! Looks like you had a ton of fun.
Looks like a great trip. Eastern Pacicic Spinner Dolphins? I have fished tye exact same technique on schoolies, or used live bait, or rapalas on downriggers when run and gunning the porpoise school. Alot of fun. Those waters can be full of life.
Thanks for the great report.
Looks like a blast Dom!
Was that out of Los Cabos?
Fantastic Dominick - stoked you had a good trip.
Baja delivers again!
All the best mate
Quote from: theswimmer on November 04, 2016, 11:30:14 AM
Looks like a blast Dom!
Was that out of Los Cabos?
Yep, out of Los Cabos. It was fun, but too many boats churning up the water. It was hard to get the tuna to come up. Dominick
Anyone ever accidently snag a dolphin, fishin the merged schools like that, or, are the tuna(and your baited hooks)too deep fer that. Shore fishin, I've gotten an endangered monk seal(lure) and 2 green sea turtles( one-bait that he ate, one-lure-snagged), extream bummer experiences. The snagged turtle( big one)was a tackle testing battle, but had ta leave hooks in all these critters. "Catch and Release"!: Western Grebe ona crappie killer(freshwater) and some kinda marine bird ona anchovie bait. Never knew bird beaks hada soft spot in 'em.
Gfish
Quote from: Gfish on November 04, 2016, 10:15:07 PM
Anyone ever accidently snag a dolphin, fishin the merged schools like that, or, are the tuna(and your baited hooks)too deep fer that. Shore fishin, I've gotten an endangered monk seal(lure) and 2 green sea turtles( one-bait that he ate, one-lure-snagged), extream bummer experiences. The snagged turtle( big one)was a tackle testing battle, but had ta leave hooks in all these critters. "Catch and Release"!: Western Grebe ona crappie killer(freshwater) and some kinda marine bird ona anchovie bait. Never knew bird beaks hada soft spot in 'em.
Gfish4
Yes. I caught 2 seperate Eastern Pantropical Spinner Dolphins in Mexico when fishing 50lb floro., small circle hooks, and live bait. One just stopped dead next to the boat. I guided him gently towards the boat with the line, then he lifted his head out if the water and flipped it hard away breaking the line at the knot.
The second one got snagged in the fluke (presumably) while going full speed and he did not slow down one bit. We chased him with the boat, but could only get alongside within about 100'. After several attemps, I pushed the drag down and broke him off. He certainly ended up with more then a body's length of gear remaining (the golden post-release survivability rule here).
Felt bad on both accounts.
Be aware...
There are strict federal laws (namely ESA, MMPA, and MDTA) surrounding the handling of protected species (Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, and Seabirds) and the reporting of any fisheries-related (including recreational) interactions in US waters. Various International laws come into play elsewhere.
Mistakes happen, but proper handling techniques, and reporting measures are important, and required by law.
Having said that, I have fished all kinds of gear types, and baiting techniques in and around protected species throughout my life with almost no documented interactions.
The key is not to approach these animals and purposefully harass them in US waters. If they approach you, it is advisable to try to avoid any interaction (gear contact).
Oh yea, there was one other instance of an Offshore Common Dolphin stealing my Dolphinfish off of my hook when fishing in the GOM. He swam over to the boat and showed me my fish in his mouth, after he dehooked it from my jig.
John
Looks like a great time! Bucket listed...
Ill take that size Tuna any day. A great post.
Great Trip --- thanks for posting
Quote from: handi2 on November 05, 2016, 02:40:41 PM
Ill take that size Tuna any day. A great post.
Interestingly enough these small tuna put up a heck of a battle. Especially in 90 degree weather with 60 + humidity. Typically when fishing on a Mexican boat the crew want to use their own equipment. I don't usually argue about it unless the equipment is just plain trashed. This was the first time on this boat as our regular captain was hired onto a private yacht so we went with the Dona Amiche. Well the rods were too flexible. They were too flexible to raise the fish, so one is basically fighting ones self. You would lift the rod and it would bend. Try to drop the tip and the flex would come right back as you tried to gain line. Too much work for these small YFT. I switched over to Alan Chui's new 2017 spiral wrapped 450g-650g Rod. It was stiff enough to lift the tuna's head. It made working the fish a whole lot easier. For a 2 piece rod I was absolutely satisfied with its performance. Dominick
Stinkin' sweet. Nice job Dom and thanks for sharing. Awesome to see the cradle reel in use.
Way to go, Dominick!
Nice photos and fishies. Thanks for taking us along.
Dominick, I'm glad you had a great trip! Thanks for the pics.
Bob