Fishing for tuna in the Ionian Sea. For a spinning tuna for the first time
In the coastal cities and towns of southern Italy, there are as many boats as there are cars. When two men meet in a trattoria for a glass of wine, fishing is one of the main topics of their conversation. True, this conversation is little understood by the uninitiated. I heard a Frenchman, the owner of a yacht in the port of Marina Grande in Capri, say to the local boat captain: “If it weren’t for my wife, who was itching to sail to the festival in San Remo, I would have been chasing this swordfish for at least a week” .
However, one should not think that the waters of the open sea are teeming with large fish. No. Italian anglers prefer to catch small fish near the coast, rather than spend time exploring long distances from the coast with no hope of a catch. And yet, the search for strong emotions associated with hunting large predators attracts many enthusiasts to trolling and drifting - the main types of fishing on the high seas. Wealthy people usually have personal boats equipped with powerful motors, automatic navigation system and 3D sonar, which is essential for successful fishing, which shows on the display the topography of the seabed, the movement of schools and even individual fish. At the same time, with good fishing equipment, you can catch not some horse mackerel there, but much larger fish - a herring shark or hammerhead fish, for example. But we will dwell in more detail on the description of the most real object of fishing on the high seas - so, tuna and how to catch it.
A few years ago, my Italian friends and I were sailing on their yacht along the coast of Sicily. The artificial “fish”, which I lowered on the line behind the stern, jumped beautifully on small waves, but for several hours it did not seduce anyone. The Italians, glancing at my by no means marine spinning, equipped with a Neva reel, laughed that I was catching such prehistoric gear. I also had a pair of multi-colored artificial "octopuses" imitating small octopuses - I managed to buy them in the port fishing shop. However, when I changed the fish to the octopus, the result did not improve. Then there was a night crossing to Sardinia. Of course, I wound the spinning so that the line would not get tangled on the tacks of the yacht. Captain Mario woke me up at night.
Alex,” he croaked excitedly in a smoky voice, “where are your tackles? Give them here. Fish.
The sails were barely moved by the wind. Two deck lamps were on. I rubbed my eyes and peered into the darkness beyond. In the black transparent water, like ghosts, shimmering silvery and scoured from side to side fluttering "spindles" of fish bodies. There were a lot of them, and they walked in close formation, obviously, they were driving a school of some small fish.
I frantically unrolled the line and, dangling over the railing, threw the octopus forward along the side, closer to the bow of the yacht. I wind the coil - and suddenly a blow! There was a big fish on the line. She rests, rushes about, tries to go to the depths. The carbon fiber spinning is quite durable and the fishing line is 0.50 mm. I hold the fish and feel how it gives way, goes to me. There is no time to mess around, and I drag recklessly. Captain Mario, with shaking hands in excitement, tenaciously grabs a fish slightly raised to the side.
Tuno! - he exclaims joyfully, moving away from the edge of the yacht with a fluttering tuna pressed to his chest.
Slightly stunning the fish with his fist, he deftly removes the hook from her mouth and hands me the released Octopus.
Come on, come on, hurry up! - The captain's movements are impatient.
As soon as the bait touched the water - again a jerk, and spinning in an arc. And suddenly straightens sharply. The fish got off.
The captain clutches his head in despair, comically wrinkling his unshaven face. But I quickly throw the tackle - and now, after a short struggle, the second tuna is already on the deck. Behind him is the third ... Then the bite, as if on cue, breaks off. How much and where I just do not throw - no effect. The captain turns the searchlight, the beam illuminates the calm sea in stripes. All around is calm. The fish are not visible.
Basta, the jamb has passed, - says señor Mario. - Go to bed.
In the morning, smelling the aroma of fried fish coming from the galley, I wake up. Seeing me, my friends exclaim with joy, welcoming the lucky fisherman, and invite me to a smartly served table, in the center of which lies a five-kilogram tuna decorated with greenery on a dish.
That's how I first came across this worthy fish. Then, during my travels around the world, I caught tuna more than once, and sometimes much larger ones, and I used the most modern tackle. In general, these fish can reach a huge size. Individuals over 4.5 m and weighing more than 600 kg are known.
Tuna is a schooling pelagic fish. Distributed in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the North it enters the Barents Sea. In spring it approaches the coastal zone. Spawning - almost all summer. Pelagic caviar 1-1.15 mm in diameter. After spawning, tuna make long-distance migrations in search of food. The main object of food is small flocking fish (sardines, saury, sprats, etc.), but does not disdain crustaceans (shrimps, amphipods) and cephalopods (squid, octopus).
Here is a list of records approved by the International Recreational Fishing Association (IGFA) and included in the Guinness Book of Records (as of January 2000).
- Bigeye tuna (Pacific) - 197.31 kg (Dr. Russell V.A. Lee; Cabo Blanco, Peru, 04/17/1957).
- Bluefin tuna (Pacific) - 679.00 kg (Ken Fraser; Olds Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, 10/26/1979).
- Yellowfin tuna (Atlantic) - 176.35 kg (Kurt Wiesen-hutter; San Benedicto Island, Mexico, 04/01/1977).
According to the Egyptian Fishing Federation - Egyptian Angling Federation (EAF), the largest tuna - 44.2 kg was taken in February 1991. trolling on artificial bait.
The guests of the "Fishing Caravan" company catch various types of tunas (bonito, yellowfin, blue, etc.) in the Red Sea, a lot, of different sizes, but every time with great pleasure. The fish is very sporty and makes even the most experienced anglers nervous.
Fishing for tuna with natural baits
Fishing with natural baits is sometimes more effective. This is due to various factors, one of which is the excessive transparency of the water. As bait for catching tuna by trolling and drifting, squid, small octopus, mackerel or horse mackerel are used; their size is chosen according to the expected size of the object of fishing. It is important that the nozzle stays firmly on the hook when towing.
For this purpose, the abdomen of the fish is cut open and the insides are taken out. The hook is inserted into the back from the inside, and the sting is brought out near the head. A 20-30 cm leash attached to the hook is taken out through the mouth and attached to the fishing line by means of a carabiner and a swivel; the belly of the fish is sewn up with harsh threads. The sinker must be fixed a meter from the hook. If you are fishing in the sea, where giant fish are found in abundance, it is better to use a steel leader.
A very good nozzle for trolling predatory fish, including tuna fish, is a strip of meat cut from the bottom of the carcass of small mackerel fish. Cutting starts from the lower articulation of the gills, first cutting off the cartilaginous thread, and ends a few centimeters further behind the anal fin.
This procedure requires a very sharp knife. The optimal size of the strip is 30-40 cm. It is more convenient to separate the belly when the fish lies on its side. The cut out part is freed from the insides and excess meat beyond the anus. Then, with a hook No. 10-11/0, tied to a nylon leash 120-150 cm long, a strip of peritoneum near the anal fin is pierced and a so-called filling is made, consisting of several sleeves.
The first clutch is located near the eye of the hook, the second and third at a distance of about 6 and 12 cm from it. Long clutches do not allow the bait to slip and fall to the hook itself. Then the edges of the abdomen are securely sewn up to the level of the hook (or slightly short of it) using a thick needle and waxed strong threads. At the end of the abdomen, an incision can be made up to the anal fin, so that the mobility of the edges during the wiring process will better attract fish. Sometimes, in order to make the bait more attractive and at the same time protect its front part, a multi-colored lure in the form of an "octopus" is attached to it.
Rods are mounted in sockets or holders along the sides of the boat or (if there is one) on the center post. The equipment is bled at a distance of 30 - 100 m from the stern, and the fishing line is inserted into the slot of special clips - outriggers, which are able to freely release it when biting. The pressure of the fishing line contributes to a more stable play of the nozzle.
When playing relatively small tunas, voluminous sea landing nets are used, and if a giant has already landed on the hook, prepare hooks and harpoons attached to a long shaft.
Catching tuna with artificial lures
Ninety out of one hundred percent of the time, heat-loving pelagic predators, which include tuna, spend near the surface or in the upper layers of the water of the seas and oceans. Therefore, the technique of trolling fishing without diving or with a small dive of the nozzle is the most common all over the world. In order to fish deeper, you need to have a solid experience in the technique of immersing lures. The most suitable baits for towing in the upper layers of the water are small "fish" (made from various polymers), or spinners. Usually their size is from 14 to 18 cm (smaller spinners at a recommended towing speed of 6 to 7 knots per hour do not play well when reaching the surface due to their low weight and low drag). All predators react indiscriminately to these baits; the game of lures, similar to the movements of a wounded fish, is visible even at a considerable distance.
Artificial saltwater lures commercially available for trolling or casting are often equipped with tees. But it’s more correct to put doubles instead of them - then the game will noticeably improve. You can supply such hooks and spinners of large (from 20 to 27 cm) sizes. They will also be more attractive.
One of the classic towing lures is the artificial octopus. There are many models of "octopuses". Their shape and dimensions - from 9 to 18 cm - provide high-quality wiring. Coloring of a bait - for every taste. The design feature of the “octopus” head is that, if necessary, it can be weighted with lead. This allows you to adjust the game and dive of the bait, as well as to make diving movements at the start. Lead is attached like this; the pin is pushed into the hole of the weight. At the same time, the fishing hook is removed for a while, and then tied in such a way as to hide the bait among the tentacles. To give the necessary game, you can install additional weights on the hairpin or wrap a streamlined swab.
Andrey Bazhenov
Written articles and responses
The International Sport Fishing Association - IGFA - recognizes the bluefin tuna as the strongest trophy fish in Big Game sea fishing. It reaches a length of more than 4 m and a weight of up to 1 t, attacks the bait with lightning speed and rushes to the depth with great force. To resist him is a real challenge on the part of the angler. Will the gear withstand the extreme load? Is the angler strong enough? Of course, an XXL class trophy - weighing 300 kg or more - will remain a dream for many. To get such a fish, you will have to spend a lot of time, effort and, of course, money. But the XL class instances are more real, and you don’t have to go too far to get them. I was able to see this personally during my trip to Croatia last summer.
About bluefin tuna
Bluefin tuna (Thunnusthunnus) is the largest in its family. This is one of the fastest and perfectly colored fish in the world. It has a streamlined torpedo-shaped body, literally created in order to develop exorbitant speed and withstand heavy loads. Due to the "metallic" coloration - the blue color of the upper body and the shimmering silver-white of the underside - the fish is difficult to see from above and below.
bluefin tuna(it is also sometimes called "red" for the color of the meat and giant for the size) differs from other tunas in a short pectoral fin.
Bluefin tuna (bluefin) is also called two other species - Thunnus orientalis and Thunnus maccoyi, which are smaller in size, have a different habitat and in scientific terminology are called Pacific and southern tuna, respectively.
Of the reliably caught and measured specimens
The longest swimmer in the North Atlantic has a size of 459 cm, and the heaviest, mined in 1979 near Nova Scotia (Canada), made the scales stop at 1496 lb - 677 kg!
The bluefin tuna has an unusual weapon: by folding its dorsal and lateral fins, it reduces drag and is able to reach a maximum speed of up to 70 km / h, which allows it to easily attack its victims. And he hunts almost all marine life that he meets on his way. These are mainly shoals of sardines, mackerel, herring, squid and crustaceans such as shrimp.
Bluefin tuna have adapted to living in subtropical, warm temperate and tropical waters of all oceans. This species makes seasonal migrations across the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, it happens that considerable shoals even enter the southern parts of the Black Sea, moving mainly along the coast. Some individuals can even make transoceanic movements. In particular, cases of secondary capture of fish tagged off the coast of Florida, in the area
Canary Islands and near Norway. From the Atlantic, tuna goes to spawn in the Aegean region.
Trip to Croatia
I have repeatedly heard from familiar like-minded people who happened to go fishing in all corners of our planet that the Adriatic may well
Therefore, I decided to visit one of the countries washed by the Adriatic Sea with good tourist infrastructure in order to participate in Big Game class sea fishing. And that means renting a boat with a team and trying to catch trophy fish.
The choice was between Italy and Croatia. Due to the short flight, reasonable prices, the Slavic language and the lack of bureaucratic procedures, I settled on Croatia, or rather, on the Dalmatian island of Murter, located in the northwestern part of the Sibenik archipelago, which is separated from the mainland by the narrow Murter Canal. I went there in the company of like-minded people. Some of the participants of this trip have already been to the Big Game in this beautiful country, but for me, I just spent a family vacation and caught a couple of fish from the shore.
We booked 5 days of fishing on two boats. The average cost of the boat for the whole day (9 hours) was 650 euros, including the rental of all gear and the price of bait. I note that the organizers of fishing of this magnitude are private individuals who have equipment
forged boats and all the necessary licenses for sports fishing. All details and wishes were discussed in advance.
Finally, in early August last year, the trip took place. It can be called "The last big fishing safari in Europe". It was attended by 5 anglers from Germany and Austria.
The plane landed at the airport in Split. At the exit from the airport, a car with a driver was waiting for us. In an hour we crossed the country along the coast from south to northwest and arrived at Jezeru, a neat and clean settlement of about 1,000 inhabitants. It is located on the island of Murter - only 120 km from Split. I was just lucky with the booked apartments - only 100 m to the harbor!
The temperature these days was a little higher than usual, +34°C in the shade, but this is not surprising for the middle of summer.
Jezera
After accommodation and a delicious Mediterranean dinner, I walked around the entire marina of the town, carefully examining the fishing boats. It was about 8 pm and they were returning to the harbor. This day turned out to be successful - one of the first moored boats returned with booty. An assistant drove a wheelbarrow to load 75 kg bluefin tuna. Some of the passing tourists, seeing a fish of this size, are speechless in surprise. I will note
that, according to an international agreement of the countries of the Mediterranean, only one fish with a length of at least 1.2 m is allowed to be taken per day.
In the evening we met our skippers - Georg and Marinko. They are true professionals with extensive experience. I could communicate with them in three languages at once.
Russian and Croatian languages are quite similar, besides both skippers speak German and English.
Before the start of fishing, we thoroughly discussed the program of the upcoming days and all the details. Such careful planning is necessary - teamwork is important here.
In Croatia, it is considered: the skipper and assistant lead the anglers to the fish and help to pick it up or release it. Everything else is done by anglers. Our goal is to catch bluefin tuna, if possible - a couple of blue sharks and swordfish. The chances of catching a giant at this time of the year (beginning of August) are the highest. The season for bluefin tuna started a couple of weeks ago. Water temperature 22-24° - ideal conditions for successful fishing.
Although the weather was hot, the forecast for the week was a little disturbing, especially the strong wind. “Perhaps the fishing trip will have to be canceled for a day or two,” Georg made it clear. Only in stable weather there is a real chance to catch tuna by drifting or drifting*.
Drifting- catching fish from a drifting boat. In this case, the engine can be
both turned off and on, but so that the boat moves a little
lunged forward. The most important parameter when drifting is the speed of the boat along
in relation to the tide. If the wind and tide act in the same direction, then
boat drift will be too fast. Then the movement of the boat can be slowed down with
using a floating anchor. If the boat is going with the flow, then the set
the livestock will take a natural position, and then the predatory fish that went hunting
would most likely get them. Large sharks can be caught by drifting,
using whole fish as bait (mackerel, small tuna, etc.). -
Note ed.
The first day
At 8 o'clock in the morning our fishing adventure began. The early rays of the rising sun heralded a hot day. Preparations were in full swing around the harbor. Assistants and skippers brought to the boats drinks, fishing tackle, boxes of frozen sardines - one of the best local baits for tuna. Today my friend Lucas and I are going out for a full day on the speedboat Charlie. The boat pleased me - it was just like new. Later, the captain told me that the alteration cost several tens of thousands of euros.
This 9-meter boat - manufactured by the famous American company BERTRAM - was equipped with two new engines from STEYR MOTORS with a total power of 520 hp. and all the necessary modern electronic devices - echo sounder, GPS, high frequency radio, etc.
Boats and yachts manufactured by BERTRAM for sport sea fishing are highly valued primarily for their reliability. Personally, I have never seen a harbor where her products were not.
Since the bluefin tuna is an extremely tough and hardy fighter, it is only possible to fight it with the help of heavy tackle - class 80-130 lb. On board there were high quality fishing tackle from SHIMANO and NORMIC, the famous reels and rods of the Tiagra 80 lb model - the highest class! When I went fishing, as usual, I took with me polarized glasses, a hat and sunscreen. It is better not to forget these trifles, I have already been taught by past experience.
Around 9 am the boat left the harbor and headed west. We had to get out into the open Adriatic along the numerous islands that create the peculiar beauty of these places. Only in the waters of Croatia there are 1185 of them! The trip took about an hour. As it turned out, every skipper
their places and everyone tries to catch it there.
Tuna is caught in the open Adriatic, moving a couple of kilometers away from the cluster of islands, it is not necessary further, Marinko explained. The migration of tuna along the coast (which is considered to be the islands) lasts 5 months. The fish does not come close to dry land. Tuna loves depressions and elevations of tens of meters, so they practically do not go between the islands - there is no required depth there (it should be at least 150 m).
Above such a depth it is impossible to anchor - you will need a chain reserve of 200 m plus an anchor. This mountain of iron will weigh a couple of tons. Boats built for sport sea fishing are not designed for such a load, therefore the drift fishing method is the most convenient and often practiced in the Mediterranean. Along the way, sharks and even swordfish come across!
As soon as we reached the place, Marinko turned off the engines, and Antonio threw the "drift bag" overboard, which slowly sank and straightened, taking the form of a parachute. Due to such a floating anchor, the boat practically does not take out the fishing zone. This is very important, because the tuna repeatedly passes through the same places.
Marinko and Antonio began to feed. The first thawed sardines that flew overboard were instantly interested in a flock of very arrogant and hungry gulls. Soup from ground fish after 2 minutes was poured out of an automatically adjusted electric meat grinder. The crystal clear water was turning a dull red.
It is necessary to feed moderately - not a little and not a lot. If you underfeed, a trace hardly noticeable to a predator is formed under water. It should be taken into account that in addition to tuna, other inhabitants of the Adriatic, for example, sea bass or pike, come out to smell and color. They will eat the sardines and there will be little left for the tuna. If it's too much to shield, the chance increases to attract a lot of blue sharks from all over the area, which are most of the precious slowly sinking fish. They became precious just now, because of the full moon. Nets are very visible to sardines, so going out for a silvery delicacy during this period is an unprofitable business. The price of frozen sardines skyrockets instantly. Each local skipper, thanks to his contacts, stocks sardines in advance for at least 2 weeks. Marinko always has enough cases of enticing silver.
In 20 minutes, Marinko and Antonio set up all the rods. Mainly mackerel is used as bait. Marinko hides the hook in the fish. It is very important that the bait is fresh, so the mackerel caught by the skipper in advance is stored in a special plastic box, where oxygen is supplied by a pump.
Now we are waiting for the appearance of "blue". The echo sounder shows the maximum depth - 180 m with small drops, but no activity is observed below the surface. Toward noon the wind began to pick up.
For the first two hours there were no bites. Finally, one of the balls briskly went under the water, but the line went slowly.
Probably a shark! Marinko screamed.
First in line in the combat chair was Lucas. After a 10-minute "warm-up", a 30-pound blue shark surfaced a couple of meters from the "Charlie". After a short photo session, she was released. In Croatia, it is customary for small blue sharks to always be released. Only large ones are taken to the harbor - from 100 kg.
The next hour brought us another blue shark of almost the same size. She deepthroated the hook and Antonio had to cut the fluorocarbon leash.
In the meantime, Marinko's friend Yuritsa, who was fishing 3 km away from us, announced by radio that he was lucky to catch a swordfish weighing 100 kg!
Toward evening, two of the eight boxes of sardines taken for bait were left. Lucas was examining the surrounding seascape through binoculars and suddenly stood up with a cry: “There!”, Pointing to the right, to the island with a lighthouse.
What we saw stunned us. The giant tuna flew several meters out of the water and disappeared again. Marinko estimated his weight at 250 kg. According to the signs of professional anglers, it is believed that if one fish jumps out of the water, then 4 more are in the water. This way you can determine the approximate size of the jamb.
This jump turned on the whole crew, and especially me, because it was my turn to fight! Each of us began to feed. We decided to go for broke, sending all the rest of the bait overboard to create a large feed trail behind the boat.
Climbing up the flybridge*, I noticed on the echo sounder the first stripes shooting at the screen at a depth of 50 m. Now the main thing is that one of the “blues” takes the bait.
*Flybridge - roof deck
cabins with an additional post
management.
Literally in a matter of seconds, one of the coils whistled. The team played managed to quickly exhaust the other two rods and pull out the drift bag. I took a seat in the combat chair, the assistant gave me a fishing rod.
Marinko was at the helm, steering the boat at reverse speed. The persecution has begun. The reel was already a third empty, the Dacron backing going a couple of meters per second into the depths of the sea. But it was noticeable that the tuna located 300 meters from us was gradually losing strength. It became clear to me that the bait was taken by a medium-sized fish.
The first 15 minutes of the confrontation are decisive. Marinko kept the situation under control. I note that he always managed to bring the boat to the optimal degree of loading of fishing gear.
After 20 minutes, I managed to pick up half of the line. Then another escape followed, during which the tuna took back 100 m. Marinko accelerated the speed of the boat, and after 10 minutes the tuna appeared for the first time a hundred meters from the side. After a 45-minute fight, his fate was sealed.
Start - as ordered!
The basic principle of tuna fishing is teamwork. A client renting a boat becomes an integral part of the team. The captain steers the boat, helping the angler sitting on the chair to play optimally. His assistant does the rest of the work to release or drag the caught fish into the boat.
Upon returning to the harbor, Marinko's son was already waiting for us with a wheelbarrow to pick up a delicious trophy. Bluefin tuna pulled 75 kg. Not a bad start!
In the evening it turned out that no one was left without a catch. Three of our friends on a boat with Georg caught a sea pike and 5 bluefin tuna up to 70 kg. But according to the rules, only one fish per day is allowed.
Later, Georg informed everyone that tomorrow, due to strong winds, fishing was canceled - a cyclone from the east was expected in the afternoon. Of course, this news upset, well
at least that in case of cancellation of fishing due to unsuitable weather conditions, the money paid for the day is returned. A private organization has its big plus, providing for force majeure circumstances. So the second day passed without fishing.
Day three
Again at 9 o'clock in the morning, Lucas and I set sail for the Charlie with the same crew from the harbor. The sea is smooth, Poseidon is calm, the sun is shining. Same story: feeding, waiting...
The day was successful: 3 bluefin tuna up to 50 kg and one blue shark. The haul lasted for half an hour.
For me, the 80 lb tackle is a bit heavy for tuna fishing up to 50 kg. But, according to Marinko, it happens that even this capacity is not enough. For a tuna weighing 150 kg, the optimal weapon is a class over 130 lb. The captain had already seen a couple of times on neighboring boats how, because of the light tackle, the tuna upset the fishermen a lot. Therefore, during the international competitions, which take place every September in Jezera, all participants try to use 130 lb class tackle in order not to miss the fish that can bring victory in such a prestigious competition.
Day four
Georg became our next captain. I learned from the locals that it was thanks to him that sport fishing for bluefin tuna was born in Croatia - in 1993, he was the first in the country to bring this fish to the harbor. She then managed to be dragged to the boat after a 6-hour fight, breaking the tip of the rod. The fish weighed 141 kg and had a wonderful taste.
Georg has helped many local anglers raise their fortunes, and for Big Game lovers he has found one of the most beautiful places in Europe.
Today there are three passengers on board the El Patrón - Lucas's father has joined us.
Captain Georg is already 67 years old, but he looks 20 years younger and is still charged with the magical spirit of sea fishing.
He is the most experienced, he is the best, he will surely lead you to the fish - I have heard this many times.
Georg has been practicing drift fishing since the very beginning. Hunting for bluefin tuna by trolling in the Adriatic is not successful. He, like many of his colleagues, prefers fluorocarbon leaders, which do not alarm incredulous tuna. If the bait sinks differently than sardines in the trail, then the predator ignores it. Therefore, the teams accompanying clients try not to go fishing in wind and waves.
The day was a little overcast, but most importantly - calm. In an hour we reached the secret places of the respected captain. Not far from the last cluster of islands with a lighthouse, the assistant dropped the anchor bag. The depth there varied from 100 to 200 m. The ideal structure of the relief, as Tim, George's assistant, explained to us.
But within 5 hours, only two blue sharks were caught, and then one of them managed to swim near the propeller, cutting off the leash.
New leash, new happiness. An hour later, the unexpected whistle of the coil made us start. After almost an hour of fighting, Lucas' father pulled a 70-kilogram tuna to the surface. Beautiful! I was always amazed by the coloring of these predators - intense blue, turning into silver ...
Day five
The weather forecast for our last day in Jezere worried us. We talked with Georg and nevertheless decided to get out for 5-6 hours at sea.
The wind grew stronger every hour and did not allow catching "according to the classics" - lure, then lay out the fishing rods and wait. Georg immediately changed tactics, first prepared
along with a fishing rod helper, and then began to lure. After 2 hours, the echo sounder showed the first signs of tuna flying under the boat. They followed the boat along the stern trail.
Now we must wait for the moment when the tuna approach the board and the last piece of sardine disappears in the mouth of one of them - then you can throw the prepared bait into the water. A lone fish in the water will provoke rivalry between tunas. If that doesn't work, the focus will be retried.
Having waited for the moment, Georg and Tim threw two baits at the same time in different directions. Not even a minute passed before both coils whistled. Double attack!
After a 40-minute struggle, I was the first to drag an 80-kilogram tuna to the board, fighting it standing up.
Tim confidently grabbed the leash and yanked it aside, releasing the fish. The second tuna managed to free itself after an hour of fighting, but Lucas was still pleased, an hour
such a tough fight is rare. After all, the struggle is the main goal of our trip. Georg estimated the weight of the descended fish at least 100 kg. It's a pity! Well, such is fishing: once you win, another time - the fish.
We decided to return to the harbor - the mission for today is more than completed.
The strongest in the world
This method of fishing brings success. In 2007, one of the visiting anglers managed to defeat a 130-kilogram tuna. The fight lasted 2 hours with 130 lb tackle.
Georg is sure that the fish in the Adriatic are the strongest in the world, and all thanks to the optimal water temperature and oxygen content. However, he will never forget one giant. Here's what he said:
Even after playing for 12 hours on 80 lb tackle, the tuna showed no signs of fatigue and pulled 800 meters of line from the reel, during which time three anglers changed each other, he said. - We were not upset by the breakdown after many hours of driving at reverse speed. We were not upset by the loss of fish - it still happened. It was disappointing that we did not manage to see this tuna, and we do not know what size it was!
Fishing method - drift in the Adriatic Sea
Once upon a time, Italian professional anglers noticed how schools of tuna were chasing nets filled with sardines. Apparently, the tuna already knew - where the sound of the motor and trawl nets - there are easy prey. Dead sardines constantly slip out of the nets through the cells, creating a silver trail that is clearly visible underwater.
After several attempts, Italian fishermen from Pesara (Pesaro) began in the late 70s with drifting boats. This is how the first trophy tunas were caught. Absolute record - 475 kg! For decades, drifting has been used successfully by sport fishermen all over the Mediterranean, but in every country and every locality, anglers have come up with a couple of tricks that are kept secret.
The main success factor is considered to be baiting, creating a feeding trail to attract a school of tuna. The best bait is sardines. Skippers buy stocks of frozen fish from local fishermen. One 5-kilogram box costs an average of 370 rubles. A full day requires 40 kg of frozen sardines. According to the local concept, a box of sardines is for an hour of bait.
There are two ways to feed tuna. First: thawed sardines are thrown whole piece by piece overboard, they sink rather slowly. Second: sardines are cut into pieces, then they sink faster. Usually both methods are used at the same time to cover different depths.
Also, tuna is very attracted to the smell of fish blood. For this, an electric meat grinder - Sardamatic is used. It is bolted to the outer side of the boat and belongs to the main equipment. Sardines are laid in it, ground, and a liquid mass of bones, meat and blood enters the water. A unique smell is created that magically attracts tuna.
The drift fishing method itself is, in fact, sometimes a boring wait. After you choose a place, and all the baits are in the optimal positions, all that remains is to bait and wait. The team is in constant contact with the teams of other boats, exchanging news - who has seen where or has already caught tuna or other valuable predator, for example, swordfish. The exchange of information has already become a tradition. Often, having received the news, the skipper decides to change the place of fishing, and this can affect the outcome of the fishing day.
But then the inflated ball instantly disappears under water, the fishing line at 10 m per second comes off the reel, and all the effort expended is immediately forgotten.
If the wind and waves are not too strong, then when drifting, local skippers use 4 fishing rods at once. True, Marinko always uses only three and believes that this is enough. He had to deal with the simultaneous bite of two fish. In this case, every second can affect the outcome of the attack, and the assistant
you have to exhaust one less bait. If you do not have time, then the fishing lines can overlap, and this will most likely lead to the loss of both trophies. A
every skipper strives to do everything to avoid the loss of fish, because she is his additional income at least a couple of hundred euros. In Croatia, it is customary to redeem the caught trophy from the team. 1 kg of bluefin tuna costs an average of 740 rubles! Local restaurants are just waiting to buy fresh fish, often at a premium price.
How does this happen
Fish - sardine or mackerel - is attached to a hook No. 12/0, tied to a fluorocarbon leader ⌀1.5 mm and 2 m long. About 20 m of baited line is manually lowered into the water, and a 200 g sinker is attached to the main line with an ordinary rubber band. Already at this moment you need to be careful - an unexpected attack by tuna, and you can earn a very serious injury to your hands.
The bait is released to the bottom to the mark on the line, which the skippers put with a waterproof felt-tip pen at a certain length (30 and 60 m) in order to know exactly where the float will be - an ordinary inflatable ball, which is again attached to the main line with an elastic band.
When the ball is on the water, the entire installation due to the waves and sinker gradually moves away from the boat by no more than 80 m. The ball securely holds the sinker and bait, it is clearly visible even at a distance of more than 100 m. When attacked, the ball bursts or goes under water, and it can be safely removed from the fishing line while playing, and the elastic band freely slips between the wide rings of trolling rods. The sinker can, as a rule, be saved.
Lures should be placed at different distances - 50 and 80 m from the boat - and at different depths - 30 and 60 m. This takes into account the main factor - the distance of the baits from each other! The first rod is 80 m from the boat at a depth of 60 m, and the second is 50 m at a depth of 30 m.
The distance must be chosen so that when changing course or when biting, drifting baits do not overlap. It makes sense to set different depths, ideally with a difference of 20 m, since tuna migrate at different depths. On the echo sounder, I often noticed how the school rose from 80 to 30 m within a few seconds and fell again just as quickly. It is not uncommon to see fish jumping out of the water, passing under or near the boat.
The third bait, without a sinker and a float, was released 15 m from the boat. It slowly sinks into the depths and smoothly plays at the expense of the current.
Tackle
When fishing for bluefin tuna, rods, reels and line with a capacity of 50, 80 and 130 lb are mainly used, depending on the season. In July-August, tackle of 50 - 80 lb classes is more often used, since at this time there are "small" specimens - up to 100 kg. From mid-September, anglers switch to 130 lb lines, when specimens weighing 200 kg or more are caught almost daily.
I want to emphasize that both boats from which we fished - both "Charlie" and "El Patron" - were equipped with fishing tackle and equipment in full compliance with the global Big Game fishing requirements: SHIMANO, DAIWA and NORMIC rods, which
SHIMANO and PENN INTERNATIONAL carcasses, MELTON stand-up fighting harnesses.
The optimal tackle for catching bluefin tuna is as follows: a 80 lb class trolling rod, 2.1 m long; reel class 80lb/9.0W, brake setting: when waiting for a bite 80:5 = 16kg, when playing 80:3 = 27kg; fishing line ⌀0.9 mm class 80 lb length 850 m; RM6 swivel with 100kg breaking load; ⌀1.5 mm fluorocarbon leader, 3 m long; single hook No. 12/0 of the Japanese company GAMAKATSU.
Summary
Many sea fishing enthusiasts go to tropical lands in the hope of an unusual trophy. But perhaps they just do not know what is not necessary for
even get out of Eastern Europe. Here you can also visit a real Big Game fishing safari, because here the angler has a real chance to compete with one of the strongest fish on the planet - bluefin tuna!
It is quite possible to get Atlantic bluefin tuna weighing 150 kg or more in the Adriatic as a rival. I assure you that each such fight will be unforgettable. Those who are looking for their mental and physical limit of the load can try themselves in a fight with big tuna.
I know several experienced marlin hunters who, to this day, have not forgotten about physical activity when playing giant bluefin tuna. This is a single muscle, rushing to the seabed. After a lightning attack, the line leaves the reel at a speed of 17 m / s! And the decisive factor in this duel is well-coordinated
naya team work. Success comes to those who know how to start.
It is difficult to give advice on the best time to fish because of the wind. From July to October, the weather here is more stable, at this time you can catch 3-4 fish per week. From November to March, large tunas enter the Adriatic, but this is a period of strong winds and weak fishing. However, with a pleasant temperature and a calm sea, it is quite possible to enjoy fishing in winter.
...During a week of stay in Croatia, all members of our group achieved their goal - they caught their bluefin tuna, having fully experienced all the delights of the Big Game. First of all, this became possible thanks to the professionalism of our skippers - Georg and Marinko. It is good that there are places in Europe where everyone has the opportunity to measure their strength with the sea gladiators of the Adriatic.
I think that tuna fishing is "Formula 1" in sport sea fishing, and if you have the opportunity to participate in it, then you should not miss this tempting chance.
Photos of trophies
In local restaurants on the walls you can see these photos with unusual catches!
Croatia,
you amazed us with your beauty and first-class sea fishing. We will definitely return here!
Bluefin tuna is one of the largest and fastest fish in the world. The torpedo shape and streamlined body allow it to develop good speed.
Coloration - metallic blue on top and shimmery silver underneath are good camouflage. Huge sizes (up to 2 meters in length and 250 kg of weight) are the result of an insatiable appetite and a varied diet of this fish.
Unfortunately, the delicious meat of the bluefin tuna has resulted in overfishing and the population has declined to critical levels. Bluefin tuna are warm-blooded (a rare trait among fish). This quality allows him to feel good both in the cold waters of Newfoundland and Spain, and in the tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea, where he goes to spawn every year.
Bluefin tuna feeds on smaller fish, as well as crustaceans, squid and eels. Does not disdain sometimes zooplankton and even algae. The largest tuna was caught in Scotland and weighed 670 kilograms. Bluefin tuna has been eaten by humans for centuries. However, in the 1970s, the demand and prices for the meat of this fish increased throughout the world and its uncontrolled catch began. As a result, the stocks of this fish have decreased significantly, and the population is on the verge of extinction.
Demand for tuna in the US and EU countries continues to fall, despite the fact that in 2012 the demand for non-canned fish in the US was even higher than before. In Japan, consumption of raw tuna continued to fall during recent years, according to government reports.
Offer and prices
Purse-seed tuna catches in the western and central Pacific continued to increase during October 2012. The result was an increase in the supply of raw fish and a decrease in prices. The price for skipjack tuna in November decreased to 2.05 thousand US dollars per ton under the terms of CFR delivery (including the cost of freight) in the port of Bangkok.
Continuing October's trends, catches in the tropical East Pacific showed a positive trend compared to previous years, allowing for a continuous supply of raw fish to Ecuador's canneries. At the same time, the cost of skipper tuna in Ecuador when sold from a ship remained unchanged at $2.4 thousand per ton.
In the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean, fishing proved unsuccessful after a good start in early October. Initial positive results helped push prices for skipjack tuna to €1.76k/t and yellowfin tuna to €2.45k/t when loaded onto a customer ship (FOB) in Seychelles port.
Purse fishing in the Atlantic Ocean showed an increase, which resulted in a decrease in prices for skipjack tuna to 1.68 thousand euros per ton when sold from a vessel in the port of Abidjan. Prices for batches of yellowfins from 10 kg and more also fell slightly - to 2.52 thousand euros per ton when sold from a vessel in the port of Abidjan.
With the beginning of autumn, the sashimi market in Japan has begun to improve. Since mid-October 2012, sales have increased both in and out of the Tsukizi fish auction market.
Direct sales of cheaper imported tuna increased outside of the auction, with supermarkets and fish shops the main buyers. In this market segment, relatively inexpensive Mexican bluefin tuna (2.95 thousand Japanese yen per kilogram) was in good demand.
From January to June 2012, the supply of fresh skipjack tuna in Japan decreased by 20% compared to the same period in 2011. As a result of insufficient supplies, the price of fish remained relatively high at 550-600 yen per kilogram in the Tsukizi market, more than 100 yen higher than last year.
From June 2011 to June 2012, bluefin and skipjack tuna consumption in Japan fell by 12% and 11%, respectively. According to another report, the number of sushi restaurants in the country, including traditional sushi bars, decreased by 10% between 2006 and 2011. At the same time, despite a decline in overall tuna consumption, Japanese imports of tuna (both fresh and frozen) in the first half of 2012 were high compared to 2011.
USA
The fresh tuna market in the United States is on a recovery trend, reflected in imports of canned tuna and tuna products. Despite the fact that the main supply on the market consisted of cheaper yellowfin, imports of more expensive and quality fish - bluefin tuna and bulleye - also increased compared to the same period in 2011.
Imports of frozen tuna fillets and fish steaks also increased by 4%, despite a significant increase in the average import value of 50%. It is worth noting that the export volume from the leading supplier - Indonesia - was 33% lower than in the previous year. At the same time, deliveries from the Philippines and other countries in the Pacific region, including Japan, increased (354 tons in 2012 against 57 tons since the beginning of 2011).
canned tuna
The production of canned tuna is currently under pressure from a variety of sources. Rising prices for the production of packaging materials, lower consumer demand in major markets, a sharp increase in raw material costs, growing demands from environmental organizations and the continued negative publicity for tuna consumption have affected the state of the global canned tuna market.
In the US market, the demand for canned tuna remains not very active. In the current economic situation, consumers are reluctant to accept the higher cost of fish, while supermarkets do not yet have the opportunity to promote this product at a low price, as was the case in the past.
In addition to rising prices, tuna producers are being targeted by conservation groups for allegedly high levels of mercury in the fish and environmental issues. All this also led to a decrease in tuna consumption.
During the first half of 2012, the volume of imports in the market decreased by 23% compared to the same period in 2011. In monetary terms, imports, however, turned out to be slightly lower due to higher prices for tuna.
To restore demand, major tuna sellers have introduced new products for sale. The American company Starkist recently began producing portioned tuna dishes, and Chicken of the Sea's "perishable" canned food became a hit in the US market.
Europe
In addition to the eurozone crisis and rising prices, the negative factor that affected the canned tuna market in the European Union was far from the best weather conditions. Lower consumer spending has had a negative impact on sales of finished canned tuna. This was reflected in the decline in imports of high-quality canned fish from Spain to Italy: in the first half of 2012, the volume of supplies in this market segment decreased by 11% compared to the same period in 2011. At the same time, deliveries from the Seychelles (by 14.8%) and Côte d'Ivoire (by 109%) increased.
As in Italy, in France, the main volume of imports was carried out due to the growth of supplies from the Seychelles (which amounted to 30.4%) and Côte d'Ivoire (77%), while imports from Spain and Ecuador fell sharply - by 46.7% and 21.6% respectively. As a result, the Seychelles came to the fore as the main supplier in this market. Overall, imports to France decreased by more than 11% from January to July 2012.
Imports of canned tuna to the German market, which is sensitive to changes, also showed a negative trend (down 11.7%). Also, after a significant increase in the previous year, from January to June 2012, the volume of imports to the UK decreased by 11.4% compared to the same period in 2011.
Falling demand and high prices have had an impact on the import of semi-finished tuna fillets in two main markets - Spain and Italy. During the first half of 2012, imports to Spain from Thailand fell by as much as 80%.
Asia
High prices for canned tuna, coupled with weak demand in major markets, have weighed heavily on Thai canned food exports. During the first half of 2012, the volume of exports decreased significantly - by almost 25%. At the same time, in monetary terms, it was approximately equal to the figures for the previous year. The United States remained the largest sales market for Asian countries, although here, too, supplies fell by more than 10%.
During the first half of 2012, tuna imports to Japan increased sharply - by 13% in volume and by 22.1% in monetary terms compared to the previous year. It reached a figure of 24 thousand tons or 11.9 billion Japanese yen (150 million US dollars). The main players in the market are three countries - members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. They account for 97% of the supply in this segment.
prospects
Raw skipjack tuna supplies were projected to increase in the last quarter of 2012, with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission's ban on lure fishing ending after October 1st. At the same time, this cannot contribute to a fall in prices, since demand for raw materials traditionally grows at the end of the year. In the near future, the main growth in tuna sales will be observed in the emerging markets of Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, which will compensate for the decline in consumer demand in the US and EU markets.
From the beginning of February, another ban on the production of bluefin tuna comes into force. About why there are so many restrictions on its catch and how blue fin tuna differs from its closest relatives, says the chef of the restaurant Doucet X.O. Said Fadli.
At what time of the year is tuna the most delicious?
The time of year doesn't really matter. Tuna does not have its own special season, despite the fact that it is not grown in artificial conditions. For a thousand years, tuna has been caught in the Atlantic Ocean from Iceland to Mexico, in the Pacific Ocean, in the Mediterranean Sea. It makes no sense to talk about the quality of fish caught in different seas. Tuna is the same everywhere - during the year it migrates, travels underwater from one camp to another. Another thing is important - since the seventies of the last century, Japanese cuisine has come into fashion all over the world. The increased demand for sushi has led to the gradual disappearance of tuna, especially blue tuna, the best. Therefore, there are now a huge number of catch restrictions, and the duration of these bans can vary. Environmentalists have noticed somewhere a decrease in the number of tuna - stop, the catch immediately stops. Here, for example, from the beginning of February, another ban will come into force, and you will not find fresh bluefin tuna in restaurants during the day with fire.
Why is blue fin tuna the best?
The three most common types of tuna are bluefin tuna, yellowtail tuna and ahi tuna. Blue fin tuna is the largest of the whole family, just a huge fish. This tuna has red meat and a silver-gray body with blue-gray fins, from which it got its name. But the most important thing is the meat, tasty, juicy and tender, like butter. If the average weight of bluefin tuna is 150 kg, then yellowtail weighs about 15. Its skin is lighter, and the meat is yellow-brown. The taste of yellow tail tuna is not as rich and saturated as that of its counterpart, one might say, not as embossed, less distinct, lighter, almost transparent. Bluefin tuna prefers the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and the yellowtail prefers the waters of the Pacific Ocean. As for ahi tuna, it tastes more like bluefin tuna (although, of course, it is much inferior to it), and in weight - like yellowtail. This is a small fish, its meat is red, but not dark. It lives in the Atlantic, and in the Pacific Ocean, and there are also a lot of it in the Mediterranean Sea.
- By what criteria do you evaluate the quality of bluefin tuna?
Usually it is not possible to see the whole fish - it is too big. But still, of course, you need to smell it and touch it. If the meat is elastic (the finger should not fall into the meat, as in mashed potatoes), odorless, dark red, almost brown in color, and blood oozes from the ridge - everything is in order, this is a fresh fish of excellent quality.
Which tuna is better - wild frozen or farm fresh?
Well, farm tuna is no match for wild tuna! No attempt to grow this fish in farm conditions has been successful so far. Reproducing the natural taste, texture of meat and aroma simply does not work. Too free and freedom-loving this fish, probably. Bluefin tuna is very large, I personally saw a fish weighing 750 kilograms. Farmers try to keep their tuna as big as wild tuna, they feed it. The fish grow beautiful, their skin is brighter, but it's all in vain. Because in the taste of farm-raised tuna, something artificial is felt, some unnatural additives, and the color of the meat is faded, pink. And although it is much easier to get such tuna than wild tuna, and it costs less, I do not recommend buying it.
- What dishes besides sushi and sashimi are made from tuna?
Yes, whatever! Just fresh tuna with rice is a very common and popular topic now. Tuna can be baked, fried, cooked with vegetables. In Mexico and Peru, they make tuna sandwiches, for this you need to marinate it in oil, spices and lemon juice for 4-6 hours. Personally, I really like to lightly grill the tuna, a couple of seconds on each side, so that the meat in the middle remains red, raw. The only thing I would like to advise is not to grill the yellowtail, its meat dries out very quickly. Yellowtail makes good tartare, ceviche and carpaccio.
What foods do you think are best served with tuna?
It all depends on your preferences. Love Mediterranean cuisine - with olive oil and lemon juice, you can with vegetables. Indifferent to Asian - with teriyaki and soy sauce. Prefer exotic - then fresh mangoes and avocados will do. A great option is rolls with fresh tuna and fruit, complemented by mango, avocado, fresh cucumber and a sauce of lychee, vinegar and lemon juice. Salad "Nicoise" - generally a classic. The tuna needs to be seasoned with paprika, salt, pepper and olive oil, then grilled until it just turns white. Then add boiled potatoes, beets, green beans, olives, capers and quail eggs. The sauce is made from vinegar, olive oil, balsamic and lemon juice.
- And how is tuna cooked in your native Morocco?
Oh, tuna steak is great in Morocco! First, it is marinated for 3-4 minutes with cilantro, parsley, saffron, ginger, salt, pepper, chili and olive oil. Then it is laid out in a tajine on vegetables - tomatoes, sweet peppers and onions with lemon and garlic, on top - a little olive oil, olives, fish broth. And baked for half an hour. Tajine - national Moroccan dishes - can be replaced by ordinary foil, it will turn out no worse.
A 222-kilogram bluefin tuna fished off the coast of Aomori prefecture was sold for an unprecedentedly high sum at a fish auction in Tokyo. The huge fish went under the hammer for 155.4 million yen (approximately $1.75 million at current exchange rates).
This is an unprecedented value deal. Last year, at the same auction, bluefin tuna sold for 56.49 million yen ($736,000 at the exchange rate in January 2012, or $647,000 at the current exchange rate). At the same time, last year's record holder weighed much more.
For the second year in a row, the operator of the Kiyomura sushi restaurant chain became the owner of the giant fish. The head of the company, Kiyoshi Kimura, said that the purchase "was a little expensive", but they hope to "support Japan by supplying (to restaurants) good tuna in this way."
The fight for the largest bluefin tuna in the first fish auction of the year at the Tsukiji auction is a kind of fun for the elite of Tokyo's restaurateurs. Auctions are not only an important element of city life, but also a colorful spectacle. For a long time, travel companies included their visits in tours for foreigners with great success.
However, due to the bad manners of foreigners, who not only photographed the process, but also sometimes interfered with the auction, trying to break into the front rows and even touch the fish with their hands, the market administration banned tourists from visiting the auction in 2011.
With each passing year, Japan, which remains one of the world's largest consumer markets for tuna, finds it increasingly difficult to secure a reliable supply. The international catch quota is gradually decreasing, while the demand for this fish is growing in other countries of the Asian region, especially in China.
Tags:
Tuna is a large and very strong fish, belongs to the mackerel family and is found mainly in the warm waters of the oceans. The main feature of tuna is that it almost never stands still and is in constant motion.
In this article, we will talk about how tuna is caught, describe the basic rules and reveal some secrets. Fishing for tuna is a very exciting activity. If you know the features of this fish and strictly follow the basic rules of fishing, then a good catch and a great adventure are guaranteed.
Main tuna species and habitats
There are 15 types of tuna worldwide. All of them are predators and feed mainly on small fish, crustaceans and mollusks.
Almost all types of tuna move in the water column, huddled in schools. But big bluefin tuna, unlike the rest of their brethren, often swim in small groups or generally alone. It is capable of speeds up to 70 km per hour.
The most common types of tuna are:
Yellowfin tuna is the most attractive among all its fellows. Found in deep warm ocean waters. It is caught on trolling gear and used with all sorts of baits, often combining wobblers and spinners with replants of animal origin. This is a serious and strong opponent who fights for a long time, actively goes into the depths, unwinding the fishing line won back by the angler.
Bluefin or bluefin tuna is found in the northern part of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean and Black seas. It is characterized by rapid growth and, being the largest species of tuna, reaches over 2.5 m in length. This is a strong and fast fish, which is the most interesting, and therefore a very desirable trophy.
The blackfin tuna lives in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a pelagic fish that feeds on small fish, crustaceans and plankton. It is caught by casting, trolling or live bait in the upper layers of the water.
Longfin tuna is found in all tropical and subtropical seas and also belongs to pelagic fish. It rarely comes ashore, lives in the open ocean and makes seasonal migrations to cold zones to the coasts of New England, southern Brazil and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Tallfin tuna are caught with trolling gear and lures using rigs made from dead fish.
Bigeye tuna is found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. Adults weigh about 100 kg and live at great depths, while juveniles often live near the surface, forming quite numerous flocks.
Tackle for fishing tuna
Tuna fishing is primarily exciting because of the difficult, long and exciting haul, during which a strong fish actively and stubbornly resists. Therefore, it is important to choose the right tackle for catching tuna, taking into account the characteristics of the fish itself and the method of fishing.
When fishing for tuna by sea trolling from a boat or other specially equipped vessel on the high seas, the following is used:
sea rods , capable of withstanding extreme loads, from 1.65 to 2.15 meters long and 30-150 lb dough;
marine multiplier reels , which must match the selected rod, hold 500-600 m of fishing line or cord and be powerful enough to play active tuna;
sea lures in the form of silicone octopuses and wobblers, as well as a small fish for catching live bait.
For deep-sea tuna fishing in the open sea from a drifting vessel in light wind and small waves (sea drifting), you will need:
powerful sea rod, multiplier reel and fishing line with a test of at least 130 lb;
live bait (sardine, herring or mackerel) on a hook no.
An echo sounder will also come in handy to calculate the depth of the tuna migratory trail.
Features and main stages of tuna fishing
Tuna fishing has its own characteristics due to the strong nature of the fish, the specifics of its behavior and habitats:
shoals of trophy tuna are usually small and number no more than 5 individuals, but smaller fish stray into larger flocks;
larger tuna is usually caught in the autumn period of fishing;
to go out to sea for fishing should be on specially equipped boats, knowing in advance the time and direction of movement of tuna shoals.
The main stages of fishing for tuna from a ship on the high seas:
Feeding. It is very important to organize it correctly. For complementary foods, pre-thawed sardines are most often used. They create a food trail, methodically throwing a fish cut into several pieces and a whole fish overboard. At the same time, chopped and whole sardines are constantly alternated to increase the effectiveness of complementary foods.
Equipment placement. Typically, 2 to 4 rods are installed at the stern, while the vessel is placed on the windward side so that the tackle does not overlap. To cover a larger fishing area, tackle is located at different depths and at different distances from the vessel. To do this, use floats or ordinary balloons. The latter are even more convenient due to the fact that they burst as soon as the tuna begins to resist on the hook, and therefore do not interfere with the fight.
Fishing tuna. The success of fighting a particularly large tuna largely depends on the well-coordinated work of the entire team. The process itself can take from half an hour to several hours and then you have to transfer the gear to another angler. Tuna often alternate tactics of resistance: it gives in, then again goes into the depths, so it is often necessary to reverse the ship. And when bringing the fish to the board, you need an assistant with a hook at the ready in order to pick up the prey in time.
Useful catch
Tuna meat contains a lot of useful trace elements, phosphorus and other components necessary for the human body. In addition, well-cooked tuna has an incredible taste and aroma. And there are many ways to cook this fish.
October 4, 2016Gourmets appreciate tuna dishes. This fish is prepared in different ways, and the result never disappoints. But for a fisherman, catching tuna is a real test. It is not at all easy to catch a large and strong fish, but the more valuable the trophy.
What do we know about tuna
Tunas are a group of marine fish from the mackerel family. They form a special tribe, that is, the union of the nearest genera. This tribe contains 5 genera, which are divided into 15 species. The band's name comes from the ancient Greek word thynô. Its meaning is "to throw" or "throw" at something.
All tunas are schooling pelagic fish. This means that they do not sink to the sea soil, but are settled in the upper layers of the oceans. All tuna are predators, their diet consists of smaller fish, mollusks and crustaceans.
The body of the tuna is spindle-shaped. On both sides along the caudal peduncle there is a leathery keel. The dorsal fin is sickle-shaped. The mass can be very diverse. From 1.7 kg (mackerel tuna) to 600 kg (Pacific tuna). The largest trophy was caught near New Zealand, its weight was 335 kg.
How to catch tuna
Experienced fishermen start hunting for tuna with complementary foods. They go out to the fishing area and throw overboard a large amount of fresh or frozen fish stuff.
In addition to feeding, this type of fish is attracted to air bubbles. To lure a school of tuna, many use spray rigs, which create a spot of bubbles behind the stern. It seems to predators that this is a group of fry, fussing about in the process of eating. In this case, tuna fishing is carried out on a lure, which is thrown directly into the spot of bubbles. But the method works only in the absence of wind in clear weather.
Another way of fishing is trolling. This means that a heavy lure is deepened by about 5 m and pulled behind a moving boat on a thick cord. Squid or octopus are suitable as live bait, you can use mackerel. And if wobblers are used, then they should be as bright as possible and rather large.
Fishing for tuna on the high seas can be done on a whim. This is a strong rod that is used with a wide belt. In the belt there is a recess for resting the butt of the rod. When playing fish, you can’t do without emphasis. With this method, a polished hook without a beard is used. Bait is not used.
Fishing for tuna differs from other types of fishing in that the trophies are large and heavy. They are not difficult to hook, but the fight turns into a real adventure, full of struggle and despair. To extract some species, a hook and a winch are required.
Features of catching different species: yellowfin tuna
Yellowfin tuna is an attractive trophy for all lovers of sea hunting. In this case, wild tuna is caught on trolling gear. Fishermen use spinners with fish bait or wobblers.
Catching yellowfin tuna is difficult. He does not surrender to the mercy of the winner, but desperately tries to go to the depths.
Yellowfin tuna is caught not only by amateur fishermen, but also by industrial companies. Industrial production is carried out in the tropics and temperate latitudes.
blackfin tuna
This type of tuna is also called Atlantic or black. This is a relatively small species, the maximum mass is 20 kg. Fishing for tuna of this species occurs in the seas of the western Atlantic. Spinning and trolling are used as tackle, and a light lure, streamer or octopus serves as bait.
bluefin tuna
This is a large species that requires special permission to catch. In addition, you need a large boat with a winch, special tackle and other equipment. For beginners, having an experienced instructor can be helpful. The species lives in the Atlantic Ocean.
Most often, fishermen catch bluefin tuna for sport. After measuring and photographing, the trophy is released. The weight of bluefin tuna can exceed 350 kg. Catching this "monster" guarantees a powerful adrenaline rush and a long fight.
Albacore
Albacore tuna is also called white, long-winged or long-finned. The meat of this species is considered the fattest and most tender. The average weight of the fish is about 20 kg, and the maximum trophy weighed over 40 kg. The world record was set in the Canary Islands. The species lives in the open ocean, very rarely approaches the shores. Active fishing for tuna is in the Mediterranean Sea, where the tropical and temperate latitudes of the World Ocean are located.
bigeye tuna
Bigeye tuna are also considered a large species. Their weight is from 100 to 200 kg. It is most convenient to catch on trolling tackle. Bait - squid and small fish. Fishing for bigeye tuna can take over an hour. All this time the fisherman is in tension and must be attentive. The big-eyed handsome man does not allow easy victories.
