This is my third trip to PEI this year with Captains Greg and Spencer Norton of Tightline Tours and after two surprisingly off weeks we have struck the gold that PEI is known for.
This time I had the pleasure of fishing with my old buddy George from G&B fishing systems and Avet reels. Our original quest was for my wife Jen to take a crack at the women's 50# line class record on her Avet TRX 50W but when we got here we decided not to waste ay precious time as there would be too many things working against us , like weather a bite that was not very consistent and the fact that the season closes next week.
We started on Saturday with Captain Spencer Norton of Tightline Tours who even at the tender young age of 24 is quickly becoming one of the top tuna captains in the area. We headed out 15 miles and set up. The tuna did not cooperate much at first but they eventually turned on in a big way. The first fish to take the dead herring was enormous and made a sizzling run which was spectacular and yet almost turned to disaster when the spectra dug hard into the spool and almost pulled her over had it not been for the quick actions of the captain. The 200# flouro leader broke at the hook and although disappointed we were thankful that's all that broke.
The second fish was a different story. After re rigging we immediately hooked up again and Jen fought a very mean fish for two hours only to have the leader break when the captain had him at the surface trying to turn him so that we could tail rope him. Much bigger disappointment this time and Jen was beat. She looked at me and said you do it I don't want him not to get his market fish, I understood and re rigged. By now the sun was beginning to set and Spencer wanted to give it one more shot as the wind was predicting to start honking that night and the following day did not look promising. So I reluctantly threw a herring over which was immediately engulfed by another giant which ran directly under the boat toward the net. After backing the drag to next to nothing I jammed the rod into the water as far as I could and did my best to get it around the stern. That move went better than expected but 10 seconds later the line parted after cutting the net off.
Day two dawned completely different from what was foretasted, we had little wind but we had some rain. We set up on our net and started feeding the giants, which is an amazing sight in itself. Jen was suited up and ready to redeem herself. As soon as the bait hit the water it was engulfed and to make a long story short 1 hour and 14 minutes later I was putting a tail rope around an 861# beauty. The rest of the day was spent at the weigh in and then celebrating.
Day three was Bight and sunny and we were all on an emotional high, today was my turn to suit up and I couldn't wait. The fish were everywhere like I had never seen and could not wait to get a bait in the water. Once again the bait was immediately engulfed and 36 min later we had an estimated 800 # plus fish boat side. After tagging and reviving this beauty we were on our way to set up again.
Once again I immediately hooked up and after 46 min I was putting a tag into an estimated 900 # fish. I thought the day was perfect and was looking forward to enjoying a cocktail back at the dock with the crew when we got a call asking if I was up to jumping on another boat to fight a tuna for someone to bring to market. Well that's a stupid question and 20 min later I grabbed my rod and belt and Jen and I were jumping ship. We steamed back to the spot and immediately hooked up again. after about and hour we were slipping the tail rope over an 806# beauty....(yeah I know hers was bigger than mine which was fine with me)
Today started off the same way with a bumpy ride to the grounds and fish were everywhere again they were a little more finicky today and it took us a whole 10 min to hook up and 34 min later I had a 700# fish ready for a tag. Again God was smiling on me as the captain got a call and asked me if I was up to jumping ship again and catch a tuna for another friend who was having a hard time. 10 min later I was jumping ship again this time my captain jumped with me and we were off. The father and son team thanked us for coming to help them(are you kidding me???)and were old school 130 bent butt in the gunnel kind of guys and said this should be interesting. Again we hook up with the first drop and one hour later the son was throwing a perfect harpoon shot and we were cracking opening a celebratory beer. I am still waiting on the official weight as this boat sailed from a different port, but they were all guessing somewhere around 900#. We then jumped back on our boat and Jen was eager to give it another shot. We decided to change things up and put out the kite. This proved to be the best decision we made as the live mackerel was ambushed by a school bus before the kite was even all the way out. Jen quickly found her rhythm and 40 minutes later we were tagging an estimated 900# beauty. I do not know what tomorrow may bring but I am certainly looking forward to it, I will update as I am able.
We are back now and the last two days were nothing short of ridiculous after I weed through all the pics and videos I will add to this post.
[youtube=640,390]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSwa3qXRrUc&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
