[19stealth91]

I am new to offshore and need some help. I am leaving from the CT river in a 25' grady with twin 140 4strokes. How far past montauk do i have to run for sharks now and at peak, tuna, and mahi. I will only be drifting and not trolling. Is this a popular method of fishing in this area for tuna? finally what licenses do i need?

 

[seaslug44]

This is a good question for MakoMike to answer.

 

[capt jack]

well if you want to try close in for shark the butterfish hole is a good start it is aprox. 14-17 miles south of the point.i say 14-17 because different people place it in different locations. for tuna that all depends on what happens with water temp and bait and weather patterns.last year was NOT such a good chunking season unless you ran to the canyons.which may be too far for you.if the bluefin show we may get lucky and get them close in as they follow the draggers.if you are going to be tuna fishing be certain you have a license.if i were you i would follow along with the fishing reports and see what happens.to say now where or when the inshore ,if any,tuna fishing will take place is pure speculation and guees work.

good luck to you.

 

[621848]

Do you need a license for yellowfin too? Or is it just for Giants? I was thinking about asking the same question. I have a 23' Wellcraft Coastal w/ 350 I/O. I'm still not sure how far out is "safe" with it yet.

 

[scuppymaster]

Tuna Permit

Yes, you do need a tuna permit (for yellows,bluefins,giants and so on)
The permit is per vessel not per person. The permit has to be renewed yearly.
For more info please call
1-888-872-8862
or
www.nmfspermits.com

 

[615342]

Guys take a look at this site for your Tuna permits no matter the size no matter the color you need a permit. Permits are issued for the boat so anyone on the boat will be covered.

www.nmfspermits.com

 

[Polodog]

On the main home page of noreast there is a tuna info pamphlet

ATLANTIC TUNAS PERMIT PROGRAM

All owners/operators of vessels (commercial, charter/headboat, or recreational) harvesting regulated Atlantic tunas (bluefin, bigeye, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, blackfin, and bonito) and all fish dealers must obtain an Atlantic Tunas Permit.

Vessel owners wishing to fish recreationally for Atlantic bonito are exempt from the requirement to obtain an Atlantic tunas permit. Commercial and charter/headboat vessel owners are required to obtain an Atlantic tunas permit to fish for Atlantic bonito.

Atlantic tunas permits are issued in six categories. The commercial categories are; General, Charter/Headboat, Harpoon Boat, Purse Seine, and Incidental Catch. The Angling category is the recreational category. Only one category may be assigned to a vessel.

Atlantic tunas may be sold only by fishers permitted in commercial categories and may be sold only to permitted dealers. Atlantic tunas taken recreationally or by persons aboard Angling Category vessels may not be sold.

NMFS has implemented a new Automated Permitting System (APS) to apply for and renew Atlantic Tunas Permits. The APS can be accessed by dialing 1-888-USA-TUNA (1-888-872-8862) or through the internet at: www.usatuna.com Atlantic Tunas permits must be renewed annually for the calendar year (January 1- December 31), and there is an $18 annual permit processing fee. Customer service for the APS can be reached at 1-800-663-3879.

NOTE: permit applications may take up to 30 days process, and change of permit category may be made from January 1 to May 15 only. Only one permit category change is permitted each year.

This year the fee is 27$ if i am not wrong

 

[19stealth91]

Thanx for the response. I was pretty sure about the licenses so this confirmed it. And thanx for the fishing info. Is there actually anyone here that runs offshore from the CT river?

 

[615657]

I run to the Buttergfish hole in my 22.5 foot Walkaround. I have made six trips this year and have gotten in to some fun blues. No makos though. I launch my boat at the baldwin bridgge ramp. It sucks on gas though, with the long run.

 

[19stealth91]

About how long does it take you to get there on avg.b

 

[615657]

On a nice day, I get to Mantauk and top off my tanks(less than desired fuel capacity) and then another 45 min to 1 hour until I start the slik or lower the riggers. Hope this helps.

 

[MakoMike]

stealth,
As the other guys said, the butterfish hole is one place to try. If you look at a chart you'll also see two "fingers" to the southeast of the point. They're called Jenny's horn and ryan's horn and often produce for me. If you want to tuna fish before the draggers start working the area you're going to have to troll. Sitting there and throwing chunks in the water probably won't do much at this time of year unless you get very lucky. I know several guys who run from the CT river, stop in Montauk for fuel, bait and ice, and then head offshore. BTW - I hear there are albacore at the aquarium right now.

 

[MakoMike]

Pollodog,
One correction on the info you posted, commercial license holders only have to sell Bluefin to licensed dealers, any other species of tuna can be sold to anyone.

 

[620345]

Tom B why not start from Niantic or somewhere closer? Cheaper to haul the boat than drive it no? I go out to Montauk quite often from Niantic boat ramp takes me about 40 min. in a 20' Wellcraft Cuddy with a Merc 150.

 

[615657]

I make four to five trips a year offshore and all the other times I fish the sound, race, gut and sometimes montauk point. I live in central connecticut and it is a long haul to niantic where i used to keep my other boat, a Ocean Master and used to only fish offshore. I would love to keep my boat on the south shore, but my job and family hold me down.