I’m surprised the yellowfin that was caught offshore isnt being talked about more. I’ve been fishing offshore out of CHS the last three years and don’t remember hearing of any others caught on the west side of the stream. When was the last year that these were consistently caught around here? Is anyone else feeling optimistic that they might return or think that this was just a random occurrence?
Its been 13 years since we had a dependable YFT run. I remember seeing acres of tuna breaking the surface , and every boat out there limiting out. They are school fish , and it used to be that when we trolled the edge of a school - every rod on the boat would hook up. Every year since there have been a few single fish caught - nice , but not a dependable fishery. Also the large single fish are not what we were catching years ago. The YFT back then were anywhere from 20 lbs to 70 lbs , with most in the 35-40 lb range, and they showed up early in the season. The guys that remember those incredible runs wont get excited over a few loner fish.
Have there been a handful of occurrences where a YFT was caught in the last five years then? I didnt think any had been caught on the west side of the stream in the last 5 years or so. Or at least don’t remember seeing any reports. I got really excited to see the recent YFT.
There have been spotty YFT reports that have come in, but again they were singular and without frequency.
1973 22ft Mako CC
That recent report got me stoked. I would love to see more reports on them! Doesnt seem like there’s been any others though.
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
Oh the good old days.
Tall Sail Marine
Caught 5 in the GTH in 2009
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Originally posted by gsgibbonHave there been a handful of occurrences where a YFT was caught in the last five years then? I didnt think any had been caught on the west side of the stream in the last 5 years or so. Or at least don’t remember seeing any reports. I got really excited to see the recent YFT.
CFC is a very small sample of those that fish off shore (or near shore). Of the circle I know that do a lot of off shore fishing, None have a membership here or post on-line about their catches. If they did post here, they wouldn’t mention a YFT. 
YFT are caught but like NatureBoy stated no large schools, just some stragglers here and there. I’ve heard all manner of reasoning why we no longer have the large numbers of YFT, but I don’t think anyone really knows why.
Like NB I remember acres of YFT busing flying fish everywhere. It is strange, about the time the blackfin really started to show up the yellowfin fell off. I know some were caught around GTH earlier this year, but have not heard much until that big boy last week that Marshgrass and Baitman boated.
quote:
Originally posted by ApickettLike NB I remember acres of YFT busing flying fish everywhere. It is strange, about the time the blackfin really started to show up the yellowfin fell off. I know some were caught around GTH earlier this year, but have not heard much until that big boy last week that Marshgrass and Baitman boated.
Japanese trawlers fishing our waters. ~~[:I]
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Originally posted by Fred67quote:
Originally posted by ApickettLike NB I remember acres of YFT busing flying fish everywhere. It is strange, about the time the blackfin really started to show up the yellowfin fell off. I know some were caught around GTH earlier this year, but have not heard much until that big boy last week that Marshgrass and Baitman boated.
Japanese trawlers fishing our waters. ~~[:I]
I wish the explanation was that easy - The YFT are still showing up between Key West and Cuba and to the south and east of the Bahamas. Then , north of us they show up again off NC and the canyons off Delmarva and NJ . For some reason they detour northern Florida, GA & SC. The net fishery off the African coast is strong - perhaps too strong . One other thing I noticed - There has not been a big eye tuna caught off SC in ages. We used to leave early enough to be in 600’ plus well before sunrise for that short window when the big eye’s were near the surface- before they retreated to the deep water. No one caught many - but sometimes a slob would get hooked up
The Gulf stream is all messed up because of climate change. We get nada outa MI these days. There’s your answer.
HOW COME WE DONT HAVE A RECORD FOR BIGEYES
quote:Not a YF, but was cleaning a 50 lb bull dolphin in May and pulled about a 12", what I believe was a blackfin out of his belly. It was recently consumed as it was in pretty good shape and definitely wasn't a bonita.
Originally posted by ApickettLike NB I remember acres of YFT busing flying fish everywhere. It is strange, about the time the blackfin really started to show up the yellowfin fell off. I know some were caught around GTH earlier this year, but have not heard much until that big boy last week that Marshgrass and Baitman boated.
2016 Boston Whaler 230 Vantage w/300 Merc Verado
Because I just added it to the list of eligible species this year.
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Originally posted by sand monkeyHOW COME WE DONT HAVE A RECORD FOR BIGEYES
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
The casual angler had a difficult time telling the difference in YFT and BET. The BET are difficult to catch because they follow the schools of squid in their rise to the surface in darkness , and then they go deep in daylight. BET spend most of their day in 600+ deep water. Often in commercial shipments the 2 species are mixed. The food quality is similar.
Can we get one for Black Grouper (Carberita) and Mutton Snapper. I dont know the difference on the Bigeyes here to the ones up north. Caught a few this spring fishing out of Wanchese we caught them midday on three different days the same week.
Fernando says that we would all catch more YFT if we all pulled tuna feathers. After all, they are called tuna feathers for a reason!