Never been on a tuna fishing trip so I have several questions. I know there are 2 or 3 types but I don't know the difference. Which species is the largest and which are caught in the GOM. What is the best time to fish for them? If you wanted some assurance that you would catch a good tuna (300+) where would you go. I have been told that PEI off the east coast of Canada is know to be the tuna capital of the world. Does anyone know if that is the truth or not? What species would be caught there & when? Any & all information will be welcomed!!! Thanks

here ya go!
but just jump on a TFF trip, I enjoyed fishing with you last time!

Liteliner, Thanks for the information. I had never thought about going to the west coast, had always heard,read everything about tuna & the east coast.

I sure did enjoy fishing with all the guys on the DD trip even though I didn't catch any fish and if my memory serves a lot of the guys were in the same boat. LOL

One problem you face tuna fishing off Texas is that the best time to go is when you are hunting. I think we discussed this on that trip.

Timing can be important no matter where you go.

You are correct, Bobby and that is why I have not been on the TFF tuna trips. Things at the ranch may change so I can make one in the future but I am trying to find a location that will allow us to go outside of the deer season. Sure would like to catch one bigger & uglier than I am, bigger may not be a problem, uglier will be a problem!!!!

Lite-liner answered your questions, and I'd like to add a small caveat or two.

You want BIG Bluefin tuna, go up to the east coast or Canada - lots of charters available in Massachusetts for example. Read up on the regulations so you won't get a nasty surprise. Biggest one is that a giant Bluefin tuna, per Federal regulations BELONGS TO THE BOAT, not to the fisherman; a 'giant is over 73" long. You'll generally get a box of fillets from the head & tail on a giant, but the rest of the 'round' carcass gets sold at auction by the boat owner. Some operators will give you a portion of the proceeds, some will offer another trip free, some won't give you anything.

However, BEFORE you go pursuing that fish of a lifetime, get a few 100-200+ yellowfin tuna under your belt. Lots of them available on charters from Venice, LA. Also plenty available on the long range partyboats out of San Diego.

Thanks Zeek, I had already done some research about the east coast & had marked it off my list for the very reason you mentioned. I have done a little looking at San Diego and will look at maybe a trip out of Venice.

If you go to Venice, I highly recommend Capt Eddie Burger.
Went out w him last year, GREAT Trip.
Have another trip w him in May, yes, less then a month!!!!

Gonna bring a a setup for Poppers and Maguroni's!

Cheers!

The scat cat out of port aransas does some 56 hr tuna trip. Not sure if that is closer to you or not. black fin tuna galore. I got a 120lb yellow fin on the scat cat last year. Venice would be my first choice if you could do that too. Ill be going to venice in sept.

He's been there ..... done that bud.