Derby
Crew Member
Albright works best for me .. Tidal Chaos is correct...."cough"
.....there is a couple of my rods that run straight braid depending on what I'm connected too.. love running the rabbits.. 
Last edited:
Tuna Gear
- Thread starter Chuck
- Start date
Albright works best for me .. Tidal Chaos is correct...."cough"
.....there is a couple of my rods that run straight braid depending on what I'm connected too.. love running the rabbits.. 
Derby
Crew Member
Chuck
Active Member
Derby, what's a rabbit?
Also anyone, what am I looking for in a rod? I have a couple Rapala Hali rods that are really stout and 2 Technium 8' Sturgeon rods that I thought would work for the Albacore. The Techniums are slightly softer than the Rapala Hali rods but have a ton of backbone.
Also anyone, what am I looking for in a rod? I have a couple Rapala Hali rods that are really stout and 2 Technium 8' Sturgeon rods that I thought would work for the Albacore. The Techniums are slightly softer than the Rapala Hali rods but have a ton of backbone.
Tidal Chaos
Active Member
Rabbits are the oblong winged orange things in birdies last pick. They spin and bounce on the surface. Awesome attractor.
Rods are more your choice, this is a horse em into the boat fishery, your first couple fish will be fun but by the end of your day no one will be trying to grab a rod. You and your crew will stand and look at each other hoping
Someone else will get the rod! A nice limber tip with a strong back bone works because you aren't so much playing them as much as trying to get them to the boat.
Rods are more your choice, this is a horse em into the boat fishery, your first couple fish will be fun but by the end of your day no one will be trying to grab a rod. You and your crew will stand and look at each other hoping
Someone else will get the rod! A nice limber tip with a strong back bone works because you aren't so much playing them as much as trying to get them to the boat.
cj6530
Member
I don't disagree that using birds/splashers/teasers might catch you a few more tuna on the troll. I prefer simplicity so I don't use them. I like trolling 4 rods. 2 Xraps straight out the back in the wash 50ft back. 2 rods out the sides pulling zukers around 75ft. I like using 50-100ft of mono topshot so I know if my buddies are letting out to much line on the troll. Albacore are easy to catch but hard to cool down. For the novice….focus on ice management. You will need a min of 10 pounds of flake ice per tuna to keep these suckers cold. You will need extra for a slurry to cool them down fast.
Chuck
Active Member
Yes, ice would be a major requirement. Load up the floor lockers and extra coolers I guess!
Do you have to keep all the Tuna caught or is it possible to live release? I would be more into catchin a bunch and bringin home a couple. From what I have seen when catching this crazy fish, looks as though live release might be a bit of a challenge.
Tidal Chaos
Active Member
chuck
I will offer up to you what was offered to me by sculpin a few years back when I first started looking at spending the money and time to get into this fishery; if you are ever down island and want to have a look at what I use and how it is set up you are more than welcome to come have a look.
CJ is correct on the icing down of these fish; I usually pack 3 fish coolers full of salt ice; 1 kill bag and I have my slush box full of salt ice as well; and I still top out around 20-25 fish per trip. This is the added weight everyone forgets and usually skimps out on because of the weight when doing this fishery; don't skimp on ice; it will mean mushy fish that may or may not make you sick. This also plays with your fuel burn. Keep that in mind. Out to the grounds heavy and back to the beach heavy if you have a good day.
I will offer up to you what was offered to me by sculpin a few years back when I first started looking at spending the money and time to get into this fishery; if you are ever down island and want to have a look at what I use and how it is set up you are more than welcome to come have a look.
CJ is correct on the icing down of these fish; I usually pack 3 fish coolers full of salt ice; 1 kill bag and I have my slush box full of salt ice as well; and I still top out around 20-25 fish per trip. This is the added weight everyone forgets and usually skimps out on because of the weight when doing this fishery; don't skimp on ice; it will mean mushy fish that may or may not make you sick. This also plays with your fuel burn. Keep that in mind. Out to the grounds heavy and back to the beach heavy if you have a good day.
Tidal Chaos
Active Member
You can catch and release all you want; I would recommend putting your boat in neutral if you are doing this; when you are trolling for them; most of us keep moving at 6 kn to try and get more hook ups; but this where it gets tiring real quick, and once you have gone out and experienced this fishery you will understand what we mean. you may want to try jigging for these fish as well if you want to release them. But for most of us; you have a lot of money invested in doing a trip, this is why most of us try to get what we can realistically pack in ice and head for home. I don't know where you are planning on fishing; but for those of us running from Barkley or Ukee have a 2-2.5 hr one way trip; fish for 10 hrs and then do it again; makes for a long day. So most of us get our fish and pack it in because you will be tired if you get on them.
Carking is another whole different ball of wax; be prepared to spend a few hours the next day processing; and depending how many you keep; it could be the better part of 4-5 hrs to get them carked and pkg'd.
Chuck
Active Member
TC, I will take you up on that and the offer is greatly appreciated. I Frequent VCI (Nanaimo area) several times through the season. Where are you located?
The info that everyone has been provided has been incredible! I thank everyone!
Just not too sure if I could handle being 50-60 miles off shore. Be a bit of a head game in my mind I'm sure!
Chuck
Active Member
TC, if I'm ever able to hook up with you I'll pick ur brain for a week. So much to learn!
I typically fish Ukee, Nootka or Esperanza, those are areas that Id be heading out from.
Tidal Chaos
Active Member
I live in North Nanaimo just off the parkway. Give me a day or 2 notice and we can overwhelm you with this fishery!
I typically run out of Ukee or Bamfield; Sculpin has done winter harbor and is talking about heading out there again this year. I have a good buddy that charters out of Tahsis and he is going to try it out of there this year as well.
Running 50-60 miles off shore isn't so bad; its like running big bank only takes twice as long; you definitely need to be ready to do it as you will start second guessing yourself the night before; be prepared as you can be; have all your safety stuff; make sure you run out with another boat and you will have a blast. I have a friend that said he would never run that far for a fish; guess what; last year he did and now he is hooked. Once you make the 60 mile run; be prepared for the 80 mile if you are out of Ukee; unfortunately those damn fish like that warm water; and over night it can push out 20 miles if it wants, that is when you need to seriously think about what you are doing.
I typically run out of Ukee or Bamfield; Sculpin has done winter harbor and is talking about heading out there again this year. I have a good buddy that charters out of Tahsis and he is going to try it out of there this year as well.
Running 50-60 miles off shore isn't so bad; its like running big bank only takes twice as long; you definitely need to be ready to do it as you will start second guessing yourself the night before; be prepared as you can be; have all your safety stuff; make sure you run out with another boat and you will have a blast. I have a friend that said he would never run that far for a fish; guess what; last year he did and now he is hooked. Once you make the 60 mile run; be prepared for the 80 mile if you are out of Ukee; unfortunately those damn fish like that warm water; and over night it can push out 20 miles if it wants, that is when you need to seriously think about what you are doing.
Chuck
Active Member
You can expect a call when I plan on heading that way!
Couple years ago I fished out of Tahsis in September and there where a few boats running out for Tuna.
Been out from Ukee 25ish miles so I can't imagine it's that bad, but when you have never experienced it things can become overwhelming in a hurray. So easy as she goes is the way I look at it!!
Being prepared I don't have a problem with as I start getting organized months in advance. I have learned the 30/30/30 rule and Chuck can carry just short of 700 ltrs. of fuel so I definitely won't be leaving the dock with any less than full. In good cruising conditions Chuck will run at 28ish knots with twins and burns a bit less than 25Ltrs/Hr. ea. So even at 50ltrs./Hr. I can run a long way. With that capacity I figure the fuel rule will be in the neighborhoodish of 20% out, 20% return with a 60% safety factor. That I can live with!
Chuck
Active Member
A Rabbit is a fat little thing you drag in front of a lure to mimic a bird splashing-4' to 6' is lots
Many people prefer Birds made from soft plastic like these instead either solo or in a chain
Or they can be made out of wood or metal or a combo
DB,
What size of the Rabbit do you run? As cj said I am similar in the keep it simple stupid version, but if I ever wanted to run attractors I will have some on board.
Downchild
Active Member
Chuck
Active Member
Chuck
Active Member
I found it.
