Anyone fish tuna off the coast of Wa.? My uncle has been talking about it, but he don't know much. I was just curious how close they came.

Thanks
Kris

We were into them really good 45 miles off last year in late August.

40 to 50 miles out of west port last year.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

The one time I went my GPS said we were 70 miles from home. It was pretty cool spending two nights on the ocean, but it was a bit freaky to see the lights of a big freighter pass within a quarter mile that far off the coast.

84 fish on my trip split between 6 people. Brought two rods, a steelhead rod (8-12lb), and a salmon rod (10-25). After the 7th or 8th fish on the steelhead rod, I put it away. They will kick your butt on light gear. I got 37!

They've been in as close as 30 miles on an El Nino year, but usually 40-50 miles out or more. Find "blue water" and go just a little further. You'll find 'em.

In May when we went out of La push halibut fishing we got into some really blue water about 30-35 miles out. It was pretty cool looking water. I don't remember what the surface temp was though. What are you looking for once you find warm blue water out there?

Kris

Look for the warmest water and birds pounding the water. They can be anywhere from 25 to 125 miles out, depends on the currents. I remember the peanut butter and jelly jigs being the hot ticket. You can always follow the charters out but you maybe in for a long ride, don't surpass the limits of your boat. I reccomend the charters but lots of people do it in kickers when they are close.

Distance does vary from year to year, the closest I have caught them was 17 miles out from the mouth fo the Columbia that was the last elnino year we had but most years you can find them 35 to 45 miles out from Westport by the end of July. If you look at a chart from the Westport area you will notice a canyon edge at about that distance usually we work the edges of the canyon as albacore have a tendency to stack up and work these edges since the upwelling of bait and sea life in general seem to stack on the edges once you get out there you will always see either charters otr commercial trollers working the area that there will be tuna in, the key usually is early morning and late nite bites same as salmon, if you fish live bait sometimes it will last a little longer> email me if you really need any particular information I know most of the answers to any tuna questions!!!PEACE.

How's the weather and Sea (rough or calm) condition during Tuna season?
Is it safe to go out that far on a charter boat?

Tuna follow the Jappenese current. When the current gets close enough that's when we start heading for them out of Westport. Last year they were within five miles of our Halibut grounds. It's not just blue water. It's temp as well. If you can hit mid to upper 60's you're in good water. Off the Columbia straight out about 30 to 35 miles is a good spot.

With the boat being at my grandpas in forks we fish out of la push. I know that Juan de Fuca canyon is about 35 miles out. I'm thinking that is probably a good bet when the warm water comes in.

Anyone catch tuna out of la push?

Thanks for the info guys
Kris

Never just head out and assume that you will encounter fish. You have to monitor the SST charts and make sure that there is warm water within range. The SST (sea surface temps) change daily. You can assume that tuna will be in the warm water.

I'm very interested in albacore TUNA fishing.
Do all of you out there highly recommend a TUNA charter trip out of Westport?

The "salty dog" forum on ifish.net talk about TUNA! all the time. I was thinking that for a private Washington boater it might be easier to trailer the boat down to Depoe Bay Oregon and go out 25 miles with those guys.

I don't know if I'm s'pose to mention it or not, but there is tons of information on tuna over on the "salty dogs " part of ifish.com. Everything from the "nuts and bolts" to reports from guys going out now looking for the early arrivals. One thing I found most interesting is the speculation that there are bluefin out there also.

I plan on the charter trip , although I think I'll be boarding at Depoe Bay or Newport.

You guys are too fast for me.

I've been reading those salty posts daily. I'm trying to process as much info as possible.

I took my boat out last year on a calm and sunny day out of Westport to about 45miles out...First try at tuna...got 1....learned alot. Think it would be smart to go out of Depoe Bay with the IFish experts.....

How about a group of us going down to Depoe/Newport and learning from the dogs??

sounds like a real good idea