tuna charter

[Elkrunner]

Sooo...the wife just surprised me and asked if I would be interested in going on a tuna charter trip this year.  I guess her dad isn't feeling up to it and we have really relied on the tuna over the years.  I have never been before.  Can anyone recommend a good charter?

[sirmissalot]

My favorite boat in Westport is the Ms magoo. Very clean boat, well run and knows how to fish.

If you're looking for a smaller six pack type charter I'd recommend Mark Coleman with All Rivers and Saltwater Charters.

[2labs]

All rivers guide service. Fast boat. One day trip. 29' defiance. We slammed the tuna and back at the dock by 430pm. Little spendy only gripe

Heads up. Do not thumb a tuna! Let it run. Very fun fish.

[C-Money]

The Tornado or the Hula Girl out of Westport are great boats! Cant go wrong!

[spur_ride]

Ill second the tornado or hula girl

[trophyhunt]

Whats the average cost for a tuna trip?

[wildmanoutdoors]

In the 350 to 500 range...

Don at Ocean Charters in Westport is dialed! And I have also went with All Rivers. Fun express trip!

[trophyhunt]

In the 350 to 500 range...

Don at Ocean Charters in Westport is dialed! And I have also went with All Rivers. Fun express trip!

:yike:Wow, didn't think it would cost that much. I think I'll stick with salmon and bottom fishing.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Its a long trip on slow boats. You head out at midnight or so.
You come back with tons of fish and its mayhem for the crew. They work there booties off!

[washingtonmuley]

In the 350 to 500 range...

Don at Ocean Charters in Westport is dialed! And I have also went with All Rivers. Fun express trip!

:yike:Wow, didn't think it would cost that much. I think I'll stick with salmon and bottom fishing.

Worth the money if you get into them. I went last year and I am hooked.

[gasman]

But if you dont get in to the fish 

[Tbar]

Pacific salmon charters, Ed Green, on the Pacific Dream. 

[sirmissalot]

The pacific dream is a good one, but I prefer westport over ilwaco. Ilwaco is closer to the fish usually... but often times doesn't have live bait. Live bait is what makes this fishery fun.

Also agree with the hula girl. Ms Magoo has a cooler bait tank though  its polished stainless! Pretty awesome.

[RadSav]

In the 350 to 500 range...

Don at Ocean Charters in Westport is dialed! And I have also went with All Rivers. Fun express trip!

:yike:Wow, didn't think it would cost that much. I think I'll stick with salmon and bottom fishing.

We ran twin 3208 Cats burning 16 gallons an hour on the run.  With one master baiter and often a second skipper if the trip was long.  On albacore trips boat was limited to 10 clients.  And due to the duration of those trips and the blood mess of tuna we could only run every other day as we needed rest and a complete boat cleaning.  That gets quite expensive!

As stated above - if you get into the fish it is well worth it!  Albacore strike at an average speed of 30 mph and then dive for the bottom.  Rarely ever giving up the fight until stuck with a gaff.  And their color in the water is indescribable.  As soon as they hit the deck they turn the grey you see at the dock.  But in the water it's a thing of beauty.

It's a long haul from the northwest to albacore grounds in the average year.  So if you do not get into them or you end up seasick it might not be worth it.  There are no guarantees in fishing!  Especially albacore fishing.  But one great day on the water catching these torpedo's and you'll be as addicted to albacore as a crack user is to the pipe. 

The reward really is worth the risk of a bad trip.  I highly recommend giving it a try at least once!

[DaveBTS]

Jon's Outdoors
www.jonsoutdoors.com