A TUNA TEASER...
Got started out of Point Judith around noon at high tide. Boat was running good and noticed improvements made over the summer. Water was abit murky but very calm as we headed out of the refuge, lots of people on the beach and the wall fishing or sunbathing. After running wide open for quiite awhile I found some birds and sporadic surface splashes out in the sound. Moved in alittle closer and had Brandon watch for bait. he sighted some when we got near the birds, he also found significant silver flashes down below. That was good enough for me, headed up wind shut the motor off and anchored on the spot. Within minutes two distinct groups of hardtails were bustin out in pusuit of bait spraying near us with birds diving at one group off the bow.
I was making sure that my boys lures were cast out prior to trying to cast a fly at them. We hadn't been at it long before the casting, birds and fish busting attracted more fisherman. Only one out of 8 was courteous enough to ease in on the edge of the area and let them swim around and cast out when they got near. Most all the others motored up and put them down hung around for a few minutes wondering where the went then speed off without a cast. Yet within minutes after they would leave the fish would start feeding again in the area. The day wouldn't be complete without one boater so oblivous to everyone else, coming through and messing up everyone. He balsted into the fish put them down then within seconds drove over our fishing lines and between another boat fishing there with us 150 feet away over their lines too. My 8 year old son was yelling at them for their disregard, and my 4 year old said "Daddy they scared the fish away.".
Well without a fish caught and observing the bait cloud and albies had moved east 50-75 yards it was time to move. I pulled anchor and tried to start the motor. Turned over fine, But no fire. Lost my ignition. Couldn't get it started to move back over the bait. Talk about being burned come all this way tuna busting just out of casting range and no power to get home. Fortunately a large cabin cruiser witnessed my troubles and offered my a tow back to port. Insult to injury was the fact that while under tow we had fish bustin next to us, and couldn't cast out.
We stopped once we hit the refuge and the captain wanted to tie my boat off to the side to tow in. It was a mistake I should have remained behind on the tow line. When wakes from other boats came the cabin cruiser would rise up and crush my craft, I pushed off from the side, But the current and forward speed pushed my boat under his. My railing popped and I have some new strees cracks to add to my assortment of old ones. Still beats paddling for miles though. I would like to thank the kind boaters that helped return me to port like Steve A. in his awesome Aussie Quixett craft for the tow through the bridge pilings to the ramp, as well as his help loading.
The Tuniods teased us out there, But will be back next weekend to chase them with a new ignition switch to boot. Maybe next time will hook up.
Greg.
Got started out of Point Judith around noon at high tide. Boat was running good and noticed improvements made over the summer. Water was abit murky but very calm as we headed out of the refuge, lots of people on the beach and the wall fishing or sunbathing. After running wide open for quiite awhile I found some birds and sporadic surface splashes out in the sound. Moved in alittle closer and had Brandon watch for bait. he sighted some when we got near the birds, he also found significant silver flashes down below. That was good enough for me, headed up wind shut the motor off and anchored on the spot. Within minutes two distinct groups of hardtails were bustin out in pusuit of bait spraying near us with birds diving at one group off the bow.
I was making sure that my boys lures were cast out prior to trying to cast a fly at them. We hadn't been at it long before the casting, birds and fish busting attracted more fisherman. Only one out of 8 was courteous enough to ease in on the edge of the area and let them swim around and cast out when they got near. Most all the others motored up and put them down hung around for a few minutes wondering where the went then speed off without a cast. Yet within minutes after they would leave the fish would start feeding again in the area. The day wouldn't be complete without one boater so oblivous to everyone else, coming through and messing up everyone. He balsted into the fish put them down then within seconds drove over our fishing lines and between another boat fishing there with us 150 feet away over their lines too. My 8 year old son was yelling at them for their disregard, and my 4 year old said "Daddy they scared the fish away.".
Well without a fish caught and observing the bait cloud and albies had moved east 50-75 yards it was time to move. I pulled anchor and tried to start the motor. Turned over fine, But no fire. Lost my ignition. Couldn't get it started to move back over the bait. Talk about being burned come all this way tuna busting just out of casting range and no power to get home. Fortunately a large cabin cruiser witnessed my troubles and offered my a tow back to port. Insult to injury was the fact that while under tow we had fish bustin next to us, and couldn't cast out.
We stopped once we hit the refuge and the captain wanted to tie my boat off to the side to tow in. It was a mistake I should have remained behind on the tow line. When wakes from other boats came the cabin cruiser would rise up and crush my craft, I pushed off from the side, But the current and forward speed pushed my boat under his. My railing popped and I have some new strees cracks to add to my assortment of old ones. Still beats paddling for miles though. I would like to thank the kind boaters that helped return me to port like Steve A. in his awesome Aussie Quixett craft for the tow through the bridge pilings to the ramp, as well as his help loading.
The Tuniods teased us out there, But will be back next weekend to chase them with a new ignition switch to boot. Maybe next time will hook up.
Greg.