Rain City
Crew Member
When we went out, they had been 30-40 all week. We expected 50 at most. Ended up at 65. They disappeared shortly after. You'd hate to have a 50 mile limit if that's the day you end up getting.
2024 Tuna Adventures
- Thread starter SFBC
- Start date
It's not uncommon to get tuna at 25-30 miles off Winter Harbour.
Personally, I'd give it a shot with the crew you planned for. Watch your fuel and weight. For what these trips cost, buy an extra kill bag or two to swap the heavy coolers out. That will buy you the weight for the 4th person in the boat. Go a little lighter on the ice. You just need to cool the fish off, you don't need to be back at the dock with 200lbs ice left. Better to take less ice and catch a few less fish than cancel the whole thing because you don't think you could do it the way everyone says you have to. Besides, how much fish do you want per person? I catch 3-4, combined with all the other species I'm loaded for the year.
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Maybe the weather doesn't cooperate, warm waters too far, fish aren't there or maybe you'll get a bunch of fish and everyone will have a great time.
Umos
Well-Known Member
Appreciate the encouragement Flashman. I also like to focus on the upside and why things can be possible, yet at the same time totally respect the more cautious approach of others. Ok, so I recon I will keep my mates and dates but make some changes based on the input here. I will leave the yetis behind and strip any excess weight from the boat, while keeping my 7kg rocna onboard, which will come in handy if we end up drifting toward land with an empty fuel tank!! I will get a 30x60” kill bag to go with the 28x48”, 150 litre Coleman cooler and DIY insulated transom fish box, and carry 250-300lbs of ice. Based on what others have posted about experiences with their kill bags, all up I think this can take 30 fish, maybe more. I will carry 6 or 7 Jerry cans w extra fuel, and we’ll see about the outriggers. Thanks all.
tannerc
Well-Known Member
I’ve taken my smaller boat a couple times now. You are doing all the same planning I do. Same size fuel tank, I bring 5 extra Jerry’s but haven’t needed to add any yet. Ran 55 miles last year with 8 hours trolling, still made it back with all Jerry’s and 1/4 tank left. Lake like conditions though.
As far as ice, we take 3 large coolers full. Half of one gets dumped into a garbage can as a bleed and initial cool. Start loading fish into half empty cooler first. 10 tuna per large Colman is a safe bet. This year with the bigger average we were getting 6-7.
We watch the weather like crazy, and it’s a go or no go call the afternoon before and always keep the mindset that it’s ok to call it off in the morning or on the way out. Buddy boat is key, and a buddy boat that knows your small and is also accepting all risks associated, ex you’re pretty loaded down can you handle their crew if they need to board your boat, can you provide them any assistance or are you a burden on them. Safety stuff all sounds good, file a trip plan. We ran 3 rods per side, divers on hand lines off the corners, another rod or hand lines out the back without riggers no issues. Really it all comes down to weather, and knowing your own comfort and your crews comfort. I’ve said no go on days that turned out to be deadly when a forecast looked questionable. Your tub sounds reliable and well tested. Plan it through and enjoy the adventure.
As far as ice, we take 3 large coolers full. Half of one gets dumped into a garbage can as a bleed and initial cool. Start loading fish into half empty cooler first. 10 tuna per large Colman is a safe bet. This year with the bigger average we were getting 6-7.
We watch the weather like crazy, and it’s a go or no go call the afternoon before and always keep the mindset that it’s ok to call it off in the morning or on the way out. Buddy boat is key, and a buddy boat that knows your small and is also accepting all risks associated, ex you’re pretty loaded down can you handle their crew if they need to board your boat, can you provide them any assistance or are you a burden on them. Safety stuff all sounds good, file a trip plan. We ran 3 rods per side, divers on hand lines off the corners, another rod or hand lines out the back without riggers no issues. Really it all comes down to weather, and knowing your own comfort and your crews comfort. I’ve said no go on days that turned out to be deadly when a forecast looked questionable. Your tub sounds reliable and well tested. Plan it through and enjoy the adventure.
wdlfbio
Well-Known Member
@Umos , I stopped reading your details after I got to 22’ boat, 4 big boys, 400# of ice, Jerry cans, all the cooler/killbag stuff, and then 40 albacore. Being Frank here, no way in heck. Way too much of everything and way over complicated. Take it down to 2 guys, cooler and a kill bag, hoping to get 10 fish. Ditch the outrigger idea. Troll 4 lines until you learn how to control it all. You will have a much better time with tons less risk.
kaelc
Crew Member
@Umos have you also navigated in fog? I have what I through was lots of experience but I got majorly screwed up once following a crab boat that peeled off and went another direction. Autopilot sure helped when I couldn’t even use the compass and chart plotter. For the long runs and during the chaos it’s sure nice to have autopilot, I’m just saying 
Umos
Well-Known Member
Not a lot, just winter fog on the inside. I have an autopilot to install, and there's radar on the boat, so that should help.@Umos have you also navigated in fog? I have what I through was lots of experience but I got majorly screwed up once following a crab boat that peeled off and went another direction. Autopilot sure helped when I couldn’t even use the compass and chart plotter. For the long runs and during the chaos it’s sure nice to have autopilot, I’m just saying
kaelc
Crew Member
Ship & Container Tracking - VesselFinder
VesselFinder is a FREE AIS vessel tracking web site. VesselFinder displays real time ship positions and marine traffic detected by global AIS network.
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Umos
Well-Known Member
Awesome resource Kael, thanks. Looks like there is a route, maybe to Japan, about 70 miles off from WH, getting closer to shore further south. I wonder if commercial tuna boats transmit while fishing?Ship & Container Tracking - VesselFinder
VesselFinder is a FREE AIS vessel tracking web site. VesselFinder displays real time ship positions and marine traffic detected by global AIS network.www.vesselfinder.com
kaelc
Crew Member
Probably, and some of the Rec boats do, too. I have AIS receiver from my radio tied into my chart plotter. A real nice to have and under $500
Aces
Well-Known Member
Totally agree! A recipe for disaster
Aces
Well-Known Member
They turn the ais off a lot when they are on hot fishing and the weather is calm
BC Coast Pilot
Well-Known Member
None of which will work on your boat without cell service. If you install a vhf based system, which is regulated by antenna height. You may be good for 2 miles
BC Coast Pilot
Well-Known Member
You maybe need your own thread rather than on the fishing reports, good luck.
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