By Steve Zelck
Well we probably had the best tuna bite in 10 years for about two weeks on Jeffreys in early October. We took a bunch of fish on the Subdivider and many guys had multiple hookups. Some even had the bait taken right out of their hands right after anchoring up— now that’s tuna fishing. It was great seeing a line of 10 to 20 boats lined up at Compass Seafood every afternoon waiting to unload. When the herring boats moved in on Jeffreys it all changed.
Now, let me get this straight because I’m “just” a tuna fisherman and lobsterman, so my mind has might work differently than others. Back on September 1st, we were told we could no longer take charters for cod and haddock due to the collapse in the stock, plus the fact we had exceeded last year’s quota. Now mind you, most of our charters had their limits within 4 hours but hey, what do I know?
So then in mid-October, as the height of the tuna bite, 11 yes, 1 mid- water trawlers are allowed to invade Jeffreys Ledge with quarter inch mesh and suck up every herring in site along with all sorts of juvenile cod, haddock, whiting, etc. By catch, of course will be thrown over dead as a doornail? Why is it they can use a quarter inch mesh and I’m not allowed to use a hook. Makes sense right? It gets better!
Just after the herring boat reach their quota, the head of the NOAA arranges more closures for the gill netters and inshore guys due to collapse of their fishery. To quote Nat Moody of First Light Anglers, “A disgusting display of modern management.” Ok, enough bitching, the tuna bite is still steady in some areas. Find the bait and you will find the fish. Be wary of water temperatures, they are dropping fast and the fish will be in the warm pockets and heading south or east.
Hats off to Tyler McLaughlin, Captain of Pinwheel and part of the Wicked Tuna Crew. During the last nor-ester, while sitting on Jeffreys, he got a mayday call from Miss Sambvca. His quick thinking saved the lives of Capt. Dave Potter and mate Dennis Bonazzoli as he fished them both from the water after their boat sank at 1pm in the pitch black, rough water. Way to go Tyler! The whole scenario is scary enough, but the worst part was the life raft and the Epirb both failed. Check your safety equipment guys, and recheck it especially as it gets colder.
As the final side note, the striper regulations are changing. It looks like you can only take one at 28 inches next year as an attempt to rebuild the stock – it’s about freaking time! Get out there as the weather permits. There’s still a few fish and a few inshore blitzes hanging around. But be careful!
Photo courtesy of Captain Johnny Johnson of the subdiver.
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