Tuna Lore and Lies
Tuna season is around the corner and it's time to pass judgement on the many myths and half-truths about Oregon tuna (albacore) fishing. I have opinions.
Tuna make 100 yard runs: (Nonsense. Runs are more like 20 yards if the drag is set right)
You need to find blue, blue water, no matter how far out you have to go: (60% true. Captains often run right past the tuna schools in blind pursuit of blue water.)
Tuna fever can wreck your marriage: (Very true)
Trolling lures must be in a "W" pattern: (Nonsense. Almost any pattern will work. You'll find out what works for your boat with experience)
Getting a "bait stop" going is the "best" way to catch tuna. Trolling is for losers: (Mostly false: Often tuna are running as singles or small pods. There's no school to chum up, or the school just isn't interested. Trolling is a blast and it works.)
Albacore fight hard for their size (Mostly true. Although they fight very hard, pound-for-pound they are weaker than bluefin, yellowfin and even bonito.)
You'll go broke on tuna gear: (Only if you want to. Sturgeon rods and $150 worth of lures have given many a beginner the best fishing day of their lives. Email me to get my free list of recommended tuna lures.)
When you're attending obligatory summer birthdays, anniversaries and family gatherings the ocean will be flat calm: (Sadly, this is true.)
Tuna are attracted to trolling boat wakes: (50% true. The same anglers who say this get very upset when another boat comes too close and "shuts down the bite." The truth is sometimes boats attract tuna, sometimes they repel tuna and sometimes tuna don't care.)
Tuna anglers check marine forecasts and fish reports 50 times a week during the season: (Mostly true, the real number may be closer to 500 times a week.)
Home-canned tuna puts store-bought tuna to shame: (100% true)
You need a big offshore boat: (Nope, the average Oregon tuna boat is 22 feet long. Plenty of 19 footers do fine with competent captains. Take my class to hone your skills and Become the Captain Everyone Trusts.)
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