By Steve Zelck
As we as all know, words can’t begin to describe how bad the tuna fishing was in the area this summer. Then two days after Thanksgiving, word came from down South that the fish were crawling all over Hudson Canyon. Based on the summer I had and the amount of false intel I had received, I chose to stay home-big mistake!
When I’m not at Three Lantern Marine, I generally jump on the F/V Subdivider, Captained by Johnny Johnson. Johnny owns Gloucester Charter Connection in Gloucester, MA. So as I took a pass on this one, Johnny began the long steam from Gloucester, MA on Friday November 29th accompanied by a few other boats. On board with Johnny were two experienced guys, Rick Schrafft, seen on the show Wicked Tuna, and Dennis Bonazzoli, associated with Pelagic Gear. After 18 long hours, they arrived in Montauk to load fuel, ice, food and plenty of warm clothes since temperatures had dropped into the 30’s. Once provisioned, it was another long stream 100 miles east to the Hudson Canyon and an area called “the elbow.” When they arrived, conditions were not ideal. They set up to drift and due to the strong winds, were completely blown off the ledge during the first night.
At first light, Johnny rallied the crew to head back around to the edge. He maneuvered the boat and grabbed his first bait. He began feeding it over the side five fathoms, then six fathoms when the line was taken right out of his hands. “They’re on”, he yelled. There was no need to worry about dropping the anchor since it’s all drift fishing in 350+ feet of water.
Johnny manned the controls, Rick was on the rod and Dennis was ready with the harpoon. After 30 minutes of being aggressive with the boat and on the rod, the fish was up and ready to surrender. When you hook a bluefin, everyone has a job they cannot deviate from. Johnny was at the controls, keeping the fish to one side of the boat. You don’t want that fish anywhere near the side of the boat, under it or near the propeller or any sharp edges. Rick was on the rod, keeping the line tight at all times while relaying info to Johnny, so he could maneuver and keep the fish under control. Then there was Dennis, the guy ready with the harpoon. Once you have a fish like this exhausted and in range, you have to be aggressive and precise with your throw since most fish are lost right beside the boat.
So Dennis makes a great harpoon shot and slays the beast. The fish is tail roped and bled, brought in through the door and packed in ice. This fish was around 400 pounds; not bad.
With no time to waste, they were right back at it. But now it was quiet. The rest of the morning fish were migrating by on the surface. They marked a few here and there, but no action until the tide change rolled around just after lunch. They were on again. This fish was bigger and gave the crew a run for their money. Staying deep and taking lots of line, he tires after 45 minutes and comes to the surface. The harpoon is driven through his gill plate. Now there were two on the deck; two more than most people saw all summer. Now Johnny had his mojo going and sent those lines right back in the water. Things stayed quiet; the fish were migrating and not feeding. It’s very frustrating to watch hundreds of bluefin swim by and not eat as they head south. The rest of the afternoon and that night remained quiet. The buyer on shore called Johnny to come in and sell the fish. But being the guy he is, he makes the call to stay out just a little longer to see what happens. Ten minutes later he’s on again.
The gamble pays off. Rick is cracking down hard on the rod and the fish is cooked within 15 minutes. Dennis drills him with the harpoon and there are three on the deck. It’s another one in the 400 pound range. Once again things get quiet for a few hours, but as the tide changes, they are right where they want to be. Another quick battle ensues, only about 20 to 30 minutes this time. Dennis goes to finish the beast, but the shaft on the harpoon bends and the dart is barely through the gill plate. Johnny leaps from the controls, comes down to the stern, and uses a rather unconventional way to dispatch the fish. Let’s just say this is how it’s done in Hawaii. The fish is bled, brought aboard, dressed and packed in ice. This makes four nice fish in the 350-400 pound range on deck and it’s time to go home. It was a long cold 100 mile trek back to Jones Inlet. The guys were tired, but with four fish on the boat it doesn’t get any better than that. Yes, I am kicking myself for not going. I won’t make that mistake again. Let’s hope for a better season next year. If you would like to fish with Captain Johnny Johnson aboard the F/V Subdivider, you can reach him at jjohnsoneagle@yahoo.com or call him at (256) 486-6094. Cod and Haddock trips begin in April and bluefin tuna and canyon trips begin June 1st. www.gloucestercharterconnection.com
Steve Zelck was born and raised in Gloucester. Steve’s love of the sea lured him back to pursue his fishing passion and not a day goes by without him checking the pulse of the harbor for action. If you don’t find Steve at Three Lantern Marine helping customers, you can bet he’s out working on the F/V Jean Elizabeth hauling traps or hunting bluefin on the F/V Eagles nest. www.threelanternmarine.com
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