The water off the Columbia looked warm and blue and we were pretty sure there were tuna out there, so time to find out.

We got a hot tip from Captain Rob Gudgel last night and I put a waypoint in the GPS at those numbers.

We slept in because of a huge ebb and headed NW around 10 and went towards the waypoint.

When we were around 500 yards away (how is that for good intel) a troll rod went off and 15 minutes later a 31.8 albacore (Tre-Fin certified scale) was on the deck.

We trolled up 5 more plus on on the iron and ended up with 7 big tuna.

If we had live bait, the catch would have likely been a bunch more.

At it again in a few days.

Stay tuned.

Captain Mike

We FINALLY got a great SST shot on Terrafin (clouds mean no satellite shots).

It was exactly what we wanted to see- a big patch of 58-61 degree water from CA to WA.

If the wind was not blowing, we would be out there today.

If you want to beat the heat and talk tuna, head to the Ilwaco Tuna Club Saturday afternoon for tuna talk, swag, food, and beer.

Running Monday, stay tuned....

Captain Mike

​

Tuna rumors were rampant and we got some good intel of tuna at the 126 line.

We got a late start and ran west and put in gear at the 125 line and trolled out to the 125.20 or so.

Blue 59 degree water, but no fish.

The wind picked up early, so we headed east to fish another day.

At it again every 4 days or so until we get them.

Stay tuned...

​Captain Mike

We were tired of waiting for the albacore to show up, so Clark, John, Darrel, and the gang decided to head south for a 2.5 day trip on the Topgun 80 out of San Diego.

Fishing was SLOOOW. 

All we caught the first day was mackerel and bonita.

The second day was a little better and John Cooney caught their first tuna of the year, a 30 or so pound bluefin and two others hit the deck- not exactly lights out for 25 rods for two days.

Everyone on the boat (crew included) talked about the Good Ol Days when they used to catch albacore.  

We once again affirmed what we already know- our albacore fishery is the best fishing on earth.

The good news is that it is warming up offshore.

Terrafin and the buoys show a lot of 57 degree water on the tuna grounds.

Shake N Bake is getting splashed this week and if the forecast is good, we will be prospecting next week.

We can't wait.

​Captain Mike