9/21/23 Tuna, Mahi, Sharks... Incredible

Got invited to Tuna Fishing with Capt Riley of Dying Breed Sportfishing out of Westport Mass. The Tuna action this season has been pretty incredible on the inshore/midshore grounds and we were pretty sure this was going to be a great trip, just as most trips out this season had been. Late season is historically the best chunk bite of the year so that was our plan, we went out the day before and cast netted a bunch of big peanut bunker that our local harbors are all boiling with, and we set out to in hopes of getting the fish into the slick. We tried to keep the peanuts alive from the day before by keeping them in a giant x tote with strong aeration but as we feared, they all died by the next morning. Learned a valuable lesson there and that is no matter how much oxygen and cubic feet of water, the bait needs a round tank so they can continuously swim. Odds are the peanuts all got trapped in the corners of the square tote were used. Lucky for us, the tuna didnt care, as we had 50-60" bluefins rolling and popping on our slick of dead floating peanuts. We also hooked a mako shark, a couple yellowfins in the 30-50lb range, and plucked some nice mahi off a pot on our way in. After catching just 2 of these BFT on heavy spin gear I was pretty much all set as I find it much more thrilling dropping down not knowing if Im going to get bit or not, vs knowing Im going to hook up within minutes and then riding the pain train for half hour just to release the fish boatside. It was an incredible experience and I dont take it for granted to get the opportunity to do amazing things like this from time to time, this time just 40 miles off our local coast. Tuna is not something I do a lot as the cost is pretty high but I do get out there from time to time. Filmed a video this day which is linked below.