TUNA FISHIN'
IS A BLAST!!! IT IS SOMETHING EVERY FISHERMAN SHOULD
EXPERIENCE AT LEAST ONCE.
Standard 2-day tuna trip
This trip can span over two days and even into a third.
For example: If we are planning a Standard trip for
the upcoming weekend, our departure time from the dock
would be between 6PM and midnight on Saturday night.
The exact departure time is determined by 2 things:
first - the distance necessary to travel and second
- your captain's preference of departure time. At any
rate, we plan to have you on the tuna grounds by daylight
on Sunday morning. Sunday is a long day, and with just
a bit of tuna luck (and skill from you of course) a
very enriching one. After a full day of fishing, usually
just about dusk, we'll begin our trek back to Westport.
Generally, people are somewhat pooped out (and sometimes
downright exhausted) after an action-packed day and
they just enjoy a relaxing supper before heading for
their bunks. Our distance from home will determine our
arrival time back in Westport. It could be 2 or 3 AM
on Monday morning if we left the tuna grounds at dark
from 60 miles out. Don't worry about getting up at 3AM
and heading home. You can sleep on the boat once we've
returned to the dock and at our leisure after daylight
we'll get you squared away with your fish. Typically
it might be 7 or 8 AM on Monday when you are all packed
up and back on the road toward your home. (With your
trunk weighted down naturally.)
Extended 2-day tuna trip
The Extended Trip is similar to the Standard Trip,
but instead of heading back after the long first day,
you will sleep on the tuna grounds and catch the morning
bite the next day. Rather than wake up at the dock
(like on Standard) you wake up, still on the battle
field, and fish until about 9 or 10AM before heading
home. Your captain will typically plan your return
time to the dock at about 2 or 3PM. The Extended Trip
gives you a few more hours of prime fishing time and
allows you to head home from the grounds in the daylight.
Hopefully you will get to take in the fantastic sea
life show the porpoises often treat us to! P.S. (On
some occasions great fishing conditions may cause
the boat to return home early).
One day trips are also a hoot and an excellent option
for those who desire a shorter trip. These trips depart
the marina about 3AM and will return to port at about
5PM on the same day. Definitely check with the office
a day or two prior to your trip for any possible adjustments
to the departure time. Come on, grab some buddies and
head for the blue water for some crazy fun action on
those exciting 'Silver Bullets'!
Fishing Season: August
through September.
2020 Prices:
2 Day Standard - Total Cost $630 includes tax, bait,
and gear.
2 Day Extended - Total Cost $650 includes tax, bait,
and gear.
1 Day Standard - Total Cost $450 includes tax, bait,
and gear.
Pre-payment required prior to trip.
*Tuna filet fee $4.00 each
Scheduling: All
tuna trips require large amounts of planning (for all
involved) so we recommend that you make your reservations
as far ahead of time as possible. Each participating
tuna vessel has a departure schedule which is generally
set in the Spring and is available upon request after
that. Contact Westport Charters for individual vessel
schedules, or just go back to the Boats
page and click on that boat's fishing schedule.
Payments/Cancellation Policy : Albacore tuna
trips require prepayment prior to the fishing date.
Check with office for timing of this. Cancellations
are non-refundable unless your spot can be filled.
Refund: If there is no trip
due to weather, a full refund will be given.
Food/Beverages: We
recommend that you bring food on the simple side. For
example: fried chicken, sandwich material, chips, cookies,
fruit, pre-made casseroles, salads, and maybe rolls
or doughnuts for breakfast. All the vessels are equipped
with stoves and/or microwave ovens for heating hot meals
too. Also bring pop, juice, milk, or other thirst quenchers.
We have zero-tolerance for hard liquor and illegal drugs,
and don't allow excessive amounts of gusto! Please respect
this policy. We provide coffee around the clock. Please
leave the jumbo coolers in your vehicle. Small food
coolers only please.
Sleeping: On
2-day trips, each vessel has sleeping space for their
maximum number of anglers.
The Fishing: Generally
3 or 4 artificial "Tuna Jigs" are trolled on the surface
at about 6 or 7 knots. When a tuna "Hook Up!" occurs
(or multiple "Hook Ups") we chum the water with live
anchovies. As the boat comes to rest, the beginning
of what we call a "Bait Stop" begins. This is when it
can get crazy. We love crazy! If you have gone before,
you know what we're talking about! As the boat stops,
anyone who is not reeling in a jig fish will fish with
live anchovies, similar to salmon fishing, but minus
the sinker. It's just you against the fish. The beautiful
clear blue water allows you to see your catch more than
50 feet below. There's so much more to tell but you
have to experience it for yourself.
The Catch: Because
your tuna are very valuable, we place a high priority
on quality control! When your tuna come onboard, they
are quicikly bled, and after a short time of expelling,
they are iced and placed in the vessel's fish hold or
insulated totes. An ample supply of fresh ice is always
onboard to maintain a quality product (very important).
On the trip home your fish will be filleted ($4.00 each)
or if you prefer leave them whole. We recommend having
your catch filleted and taking home the loins for fresh
tablefare and also home canning. Home canning produces
excellent quality fish. Although a good catch would
be three to five fish per person (20 pound average),
it is common to exceed this amount with favorable weather
and fishing conditions.
