Captain Bob Balewicz with a 550 lb Blue Marlin (this fish was
tagged/revived/released)
|
Canyon - Troll Only
Early in the season, we'll leave the dock anywhere from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.,
looking to arrive at a Canyon for sunrise, often setting up our trolling rods
& setting our pattern of baits/lures before dawn! This is about a 16 hour
trip.
In general, Yellowfin & Mahi-Mahi fishing starts late June/early July.. We've also
been surprised with early season Longfin (Albacore) tuna mixed in. Later
in the season, you
never really know when the larger Bluefins will show up at the Hudson, Texas Tower &
Triple Wreck areas. When coming home from the Hudson early in the season,
I've stopped at the Chicken Canyon and Glory Hole many times and scored a
great Bluefin catch. We keep our fingers on the pulse of the fishery, and
review Water Temperature charts daily, as well as speaking to our 'other'
fishing Captains...to insure that we are at the most likely spot for all
species to bite!
Chunk-n-Troll Trip
This is your best bet, as we never know when the troll will be better than
the chunk once the tuna start eating at night.
In July & August, we'll usually depart Brielle mid-afternoon,
leaving ourselves some trolling time before we anchor for the overnite. Many
has been the time that we trolled 'till right before sunset and the reels
started screaming just as the sun went down! (We call it 'Magic Hour') This
leaves us anchoring in the dark, but it's worth it! When it gets darker later
in the season, we may leave earlier in the day or save our trolling time for
the "next" morning. Later in the season, with longer nights/shorter days,
this trip will simply be a longer 'chunk' trip. Weather and water conditions
will most like dictate which way I'll go. I want you to enjoy your
experience, so I'll make the right choice!
I'll be searching for life (porpoise, whales, birds) and bait (on the
fish-finder) when we arrive at the Canyon, and this will determine where
we'll set-up for the night. We'll look to set-up near the edge of a Canyon in
anywhere from 300-700 feet of water. We will use up to 1800' of anchor line
to ascertain that we're safe and sound for the overnight. If we have to move
during the night to get to the bite, you can bet we will.
Now, onto the chunking! This type of fishing is the
most exciting we experience. We pre-cut up to 150 lbs of bait, bring tons of
ice and set sail for the Hudson and Tom Canyons. When the Tuna are finicky on
the troll, we look for the chunk to be successful.
This type of fishing gives you the chance to actually "work" the
lines, drifting your "hook-bait" into a chunk slick that we will
keep going the entire time. A Yellowfin, Longfin or Bigeye will be following
the chunk slick to the boat, and your baited hook will be right in the
middle. We've had Tuna come to within three feet of the boat and attack a
bait. Imagine, you're fishing 50lb standup gear, the reel starts screaming,
you push the drag on the gold Penn International and pick up your pole,
standing toe-to-toe with the tughest fighting fish in the ocean!
|
