Help - Fishing For Alungi

shanook · April 26, 2008, 20:16:09 CET

opps yours is gazetta. Cant help u there but take skips advice it makes sense. Me i try to buy a leaver drag reel as I feel its better.

Gazzetta · April 27, 2008, 10:38:59 CET

Can you explain a bit more how much settings one has to do on a star drag.

Thanks
Chris

skip · April 27, 2008, 10:43:55 CET

What do you mean how much settings? It's no different to setting up a lever drag reel the only problem is you don't know what position the drag lever (in your case the star wheel) is in terms of how much drag pressure you are exerting.

This is why you need to come up with some kind of system to let you know where freespool, strike and full drag is on your reel. It still wont' be easy to easily reference as you will have to keep looking on the side.

Otherwise just make sure you set your max drag at 15lbs and leave it at that. It's probably already set like that from the factory.

Gazzetta · April 27, 2008, 11:30:47 CET

I only set the Star Drag knob so that while trolling the lure does not take line out with it's weight.
I think there are sore of different settings for different fish, for example you set less drag for an Albacore than for a Dorado but as I said I set it according to the lure, i just don't let it take line while trolling.

Chris

The_Gaffer · April 27, 2008, 13:45:23 CET

My penn reels have start drags too. You get used to it after a while but this is what I do. After placing the lure in the sea, I free spool to a pre marked length on the main line. Then, once I've reached that position, I tighten the drag enough so that it feels that I need to pull slightly on the mainline to release line from the reel. This shoould equal about 2kgs pulling force. That is the ideal drag setting for Alungi.

Gazzetta · April 27, 2008, 15:11:18 CET

I do the same The_Gaffer

Chris

skip · April 27, 2008, 16:26:01 CET

Gaffer, that would be the drag setting for allowing a fish to get hooked, but not the setting you would use after strike as you fight the fish. For that I guess you're guessing/going from experience?

shanook · April 27, 2008, 16:54:51 CET

With star drags its always a guessing game although a certain amount of experience plays a long way, Like knowing ur rod how it bends and the line's breaking tension. But its still a guessing game. still its better than a hand line not to lose fish not the feeling eh.......

The_Gaffer · April 27, 2008, 20:42:39 CET

Quote from: skip on April 27, 2008, 16:26:01 CET
Gaffer, that would be the drag setting for allowing a fish to get hooked, but not the setting you would use after strike as you fight the fish. For that I guess you're guessing/going from experience?

Skip - Correct, As soon as I get a strike, I never stop the boat there and then. I disengage the autopilot, steer to stbd or port, depending on wind and current, and count to 10. All this time, the boat is still doing 6knts and line is being let out from the reel. Hopefully this system gives you more stikes. Then, I go dead slow, take the rod out from the rod holder, and (using experience)...I can already gauge what size the fish is from the pull, and set the drag accordingly. I don't really agree with the points raised that its down to guess work, its more based on experience. One thing I never do, is that after a strike, attempt to set the hook. With alungi, at 1st strike, the hook normally sets itself.

busumark · April 29, 2008, 12:48:36 CET

we have to check the rules this year because the patrol boat will be stopping the boats to check about tuna. i phoned fisheries and told them what is the law about tuna catches. they told me that those who have the permit to fish for tuna can have 8% of there catch under the 30kgs. 30kgs is supposed to be the minimun weight for tuna. but he didnt tell about those who are fishing for swordfish with long-lines and those trolling. he told me that people are asking him the same questions but didnt know the answer. i gave him my number and he told me that he was going to phone back

Gazzetta · April 29, 2008, 13:21:03 CET

I hope the ones on the patrol boat know the difference between a tuna and an Alunga !!!
Keep us informed mate.

Chris

skip · April 29, 2008, 13:57:37 CET

I am not aware of anything official being done concerning Tuna restrictions for non MF vessels, ie. Amateurs and Sport Fishing. Fisheries are supposed to be enforcing restriction on full time and part time fishermen who want to sell their catch, but there has been nothing released about amateurs who don't sell.

The 30kgs limit is strictly for Commercial entities. So I'm not sure how they plan to implement that for amateurs/sport fishing people, or if it even applies. As Chris rightly pointed out, Alungi and Tuna look very similar to a passer by, so are the Patrol Boat crew going to be taught about the different variants?

Gazzetta · May 01, 2008, 15:52:37 CET

Hi guys,

After setting up the tackle and gone out, an alungs, tuna, spearfish, swordfish etc strikes. You manage to win the battle and get it under the boat. What are the next steps ? Should one turn the boat to side the fish, how should one hook it up ? Should one put a hook in the water and slide it up the fish ? What's the best part one should try to hook the fish from ?

Once on board, were should the fish be stored ? Will ice help to preserve ? It is better to clean ther fish while at sea or at least wash it from it's blood or it will scare the the fish ?

Thanks

Chris

skip · May 01, 2008, 16:21:01 CET

Chris,

How your bring the fish aboard in terms of positioning is very much up to you based on the type of boat you have. If you have an outboard, then chances are you don't have a complete swim platform across the back of the boat, so for safety reasons, you're best bringing it up along side. Keep the boat moving slowly and reel the fish in, but be careful with the drag as they like to make a run for it at this moment.

Then you use a Gaff, which is an aluminium or similar pole with a big hook on the end to bring the fish aboard. Try to gaff the fish in the head to avoid spoiling the meat on the body. There's no point me telling you aim for this spot or that spot as it's not that easy, so aim for the head in general and then if you hit some part of the fish at least you brought it aboard!

Once aboard, for either tuna or alungi, you want to gut the fish, flush it with Sea Water (not fresh), other fish like the blood!, and then put it in slush to cool the fish down and keep it nice and fresh. Slush, crushed ice and sea water is supposed to be better than just ice.

In terms of storage, I highly recommend kill bags over hard coolers. They are more practical to store when not in use and carry around. These ones seem reasonably priced:
<a href="http://www.southbeachproductscompany.com" target="_blank">Sea Angler Kill Bags</a>

If you're interested in getting one, I'll put a post together and see how many other people might want one, as I will be getting one this year as the one I have from reliable is just too big!!

The_Gaffer · May 02, 2008, 07:47:18 CET

Chris,
Shortly before landing the fish (Gaffing) make sure the boat is down wind. Position the boat so that the wind is behind you, else you may drift over the fish and get your line tangled in the prop rudder. you can opt to either slow down to a dead slow speed or else stop altogether...this depends on the size of the fish caught. When the swiviel reaches the tip of the rod, grab the leader a guide the fish to the side of the boat. have your gaff ready and slide the fish over the gaff. Aim for the head. if you've had a good fight with the fish, this should be fairly easy it is now tired out. Gaff the fish, bring it in, and bleed it while still alive. There is a post on this forum on the correct wayto bleed tuna(alungi).