Tuna Hunter and angler Nick Dobrowolski just received word of a tuna tag recapture – something we always hope for but don’t often get to see.

A bluefin tuna we tagged in 2008, caught by angler Nick Dobrowolski, was recaptured one its way across the Atlantic (or on its way back?) over 2000 miles from the original capture location. The fish almost doubled in weight in 5 1/2 years.

The stats in this recapture notice tell the story:

Bluefin Tuna Tag Recapture Report - Click for larger image

This proves that western Atlantic fish indeed do migrate west-to-east, and not just north-south as older science believed. Such tagging information is essential for scientists to help ensure the future of our fishery, and has a huge impact on international and domestics quota determination.

This tag was one of the Tag-a-Tiny Program tags of by the Large Pelagic Research Center, now located in Gloucester, MA.  Tuna Hunter supports the Tag-A-Ting Program and assists with tagging for all species, not just tuna. We need to give back a bit to support sustainable fisheries.

Oddly enough, this lucky tag was inserted on a Tag-A-Tiny Tournament weekend, contributing to Captain Gary Cannell and Tuna Hunter winning the Grand Champion award for most fish tagged and caught that weekend.  Though I cannot read that tag number, this photo, from Sept 20, 2008, could be that fish!

The Evans family’s recent bluefin tuna charter on Tuna Hunter yielded just the right size bluefin tuna for the grill, and some sushi along the way.

All family members took a turn on the reel, battling the bluefin to the boat where it was measured at 58 inches, just under the keeper limit.  Current (as of this trip)  bluefin tuna regulations allows for one fish 27-47, one 47-59, and tuna 59 to 73 must be released. Tuna Hunter practices tag and release, using tags from the Large Pelagic Research Center,  to support bluefin tuna research. We were ready to tag, but this tuna was a keeper.

Bluefin tuna of all sizes are in our waters off of Gloucester, MA, along Stellwagen Bank and northward into Ipswich Bay. Tuna Hunter fishes all over, according to the best reports and our recent experience. Tuna Hunter is fishing every day between now and November. We have some opening for your party, so give us a call 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com.  Good fishing to you! and congratulations to the Evans family

The City Island Boys will tell you Gloucester Bluefin Tuna fishing on Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters is going strong now and will be for the coming weeks.

These folks fought a two-hour battle on the Ken Matsuura titanium reel to boat a 513-lb giant bluefin tuna on a recent tuna charter. This fish pulled all the stops out, making the bow run, the dive, the pect fin caught in the line at one point. Captain and crew and luck prevailed as these guys landed this beauty late in the day.  By the time this fish hit, the guys were all in practice after fighting a smaller bluefin tuna on a standup reel to the boat for a release.  Certainly a full day of tuna fishing!

Tuna Hunter will be fishing into November, to catch these late season giants.  Give us a call at 978-407-1351 or email captain@tunahunter.com for the latest openings.  Next singles day, Sunday October 24.

As most anglers know by now, this year’s bluefin tuna fishing regulations call of retaining one each of the smaller tuna slots, tag-and-release only of tuna 59″ to 73″, and saleable giant bluefin are 73″ and over.

So for anglers looking for bluefin tuna to take home, for the grill or for sushi, think big, or think 59 inches.

Bluefin tuna fishing continues into October and November.
Call Tuna Hunter, 978-407-1351 for latest openings, including single slots on shared charters.
We look forward to hooking you into a bluefin!

Seth Michelsen and friends have good luck with bluefin tuna, every time they go for them.  On a recent bluefin tuna charter aboard Tuna Hunter, they succeeded in boating a giant bluefin, plus two smaller bluefin, tagged and released.  That makes for a great day of tuna fishing, plus some tuna steaks for the grill.

The giant was an awesome hit on the kite – what a way to start a good angling battle.  The next fish hit on dead bait, different depths seem to be working, making the hit hard to predict, but worth the captain’s extra efforts.  The final fish was again on the kite. Kite fishing is a standard these days. We have several kites and balloons on board to meet the wind and sea conditions of the day – we have to, to consistently produce fish.

Sore arms for all, but that’s a welcome part of good fishing!

Don’t miss the 2010 Tag-a-Tiny Tournament, running over a full week from August 18 through 29. Book Tuna Hunter for a tournament date – Call for your slot, 978-407-1351.

Gloucester bluefin tuna fishing is going strong – just ask Kevin Tunney and David Prychka of Mays Landing NJ.

On a Tuna Hunter fishing charter this team tagged three bluefin, all 180 pounds. Fish are hitting combinations of baits, depedning on the time of day and tide. Tuna Hunter has an arsenal of techniques and adjusts tactics throughout the day to produce fish.

The fourth tuna smoked a Penn 50 reel.  All fish were fought standup -awesome angling battles!

Bluefin tuna fishing remains strong out of Gloucester, and will continue so through the end of October into November.  Call 978-407-1351 for the latest openings, or email captain@tunahunter.com

Gloucester bluefin tuna fishing is going strong – just ask Kevin Tunney and David Prychka of Mays Landing NJ.

On a Tuna Hunter fishing charter this team tagged three bluefin, all 180 pounds. Fish are hitting combinations of baits, depedning on the time of day and tide. Tuna Hunter has an arsenal of techniques and adjusts tactics throughout the day to produce fish.

The fourth tuna smoked a Penn 50 reel.  All fish were fought standup -awesome angling battles!

Bluefin tuna fishing remains strong out of Gloucester, and will continue so through the end of October into November.  Call 978-407-1351 for the latest openings, or email captain@tunahunter.com

The bluefin tuna catch is on!  The Gloucester bluefin tuna fishing bite is on.

The Boyslton crew can attest to that, as they battled two 200 pound bluefin tothe boat.  One was retained for the grill, one lives on to grow into a giant.  The hit is both cases was awesome – huge splash on the surface, followed by a screaming reel.  Anglers traded off battling these beasts as nin these cases we fought the fish from the rod holder.  (In similar situaitons, we can fight tuna standup using 50′s – an even more intense battle!).

Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters are catching bluefin tuna of varying sizes .. all are a great angling challenge for everyone on your charter.  Bring strong arms, and a taste for sushi .. or dreams of grilled tuna steaks.

Let Tuna Hunter put you onto a some great bluefin tuna.  Fishing charters for bluefin are hot now and will be through October.  We have a few openings .. call for the latest dates, 978-407-1351.  See http://www.tunahunter.com  and email captain@tunahunter.com.   That next bluefin can be yours!

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