Home

Catch reports

Contact

B & B

Reports of Giant Bluefin Tuna in the Clifden area prompted John to fit out Bluewater with a set of equipment necessary to tackle these monsters for the 2002 season. The first item to be acquired was a fighting chair which was firmly fixed to Bluewater's back deck. Next came the rods, reels and end tackle which required an awful lot of research. New knots and splices had to learnt, techniques for the unfamiliar methods of trolling and live baiting researched and decisions made on the right type of rods and reels. Eventually Shimano Tiagras and Penn rods arrived together with 1000 yds of line for each reel. Now all we needed were the fish. Armed with this very impressive gear and loads of research into how to do it, we awaited the arrival of the Tuna.

At last and later than expected we got a good report of Tuna on 19th Sept. and immediately went to investigate. Sure enough clouds of Gannets were circling and diving amongst a number of breaks of Tuna. The Tuna are clearly visible as they hit the bait fish on the surface with some even coming completely out of the water after their quarry. Within minutes of arriving amongst the Tuna we were trolling and a short time later we had our first hook up.

TECHNIQUES

The method of fishing is mostly trolling a variety of Lures, plug baits and spreader bars. Live bait fishing is also effective and using a kite is particularily exciting. The Mackerel is suspended on the surface amongst the break of Tuna by the Kite so you can see your bait and the fish feeding beside it.

THE FIGHT

If you are lucky enough to have a hook up you will be in the chair for at least an hour and it could be a lot longer. This is physically quite demanding and John will give you a run through on technique if you need it. The water is quite shallow, around 200ft, so the fish will run and unless the boat is backed up after it the chances of getting spooled are high. If the fish decides to run up wind you may find yourself getting a bit wet from the spray as the boat is backed into the waves but this just adds to the drama!.

THE TACKLE

Bluewater's tackle consists of Penn 80lbs bent butt rods with Shimano Tiagra TI80 W reels to match. During the 2002 season the reels were loaded with a 200m mono top shot connected with a loop to loop connection to 500m of 130lbs Dacron. We will be fishing according to I.G.F.A. rules from now on and so will be dropping the line strength to 80lbs.

The end tackle is, like all Tuna gear, very expensive, and Bluewater has a full inventory of it consisting of a variety of spreader bars, plug baits and live bait equipment. She also has outriggers and most importantly a proper fighting chair.

THE SEASON

The fishery is still in its infancy and there is a lot to learn and going on the experience of 2002 when there were confirmed reports of fish during early Sept. but it was not until 19th Sept that the first fish was caught. The fish will have gone by the first week in Nov.

YOUR CHANCES?

Going on the experience of the 2002 season there is a very high probability of seeing these monsters feeding on the surface, which in itself is probably enough for most anglers. Bluewater made 18 trips to the ground and on 16 we saw thousands of Tuna splashing on the surface with some coming completely clear as the fed on the bait fish. The fish did not get to their dramatic size by accident and despite the frequent feeding frenzies they are very difficult to catch. In our 16 trips to the ground we had 6 takes which resulted in 3 hook ups and we landed all 3 fish.

THE COST

€700 per day inclusive of all tackle and equipment.

The cost of a day Tuna fishing is considerable, fuel consumption is high and the Bluewater is properly equipped with the gear necessary to catch these fish. You will not end up playing the fish of a lifetime on a Rod holder but in a proper fighting chair using gear that wont fail. All necessary end tackle is supplied and the day is as long as you want it to be. All you need to bring is some food and everything else is supplied. Bluewater is licensed for 12 and the number in your group is up too you as long as it not more than 12. Bear in mind that only one fit person can fight the fish but given reasonable conditions everyone will get to see them.