I am on three day tuna trip on the Viking, October 3rd to October 5th. I have never been on the Viking for a tuna trip. My pervious experiences on both the on the h-helen and the Big Jamaica have been great. This year for various reasons, the only that I could make is the October 3rd to October 5th. Has anybody been on a Viking tuna trip? if so, What was your experience?
Viking tuna trips, any thoughts?
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
Joined
·
1,807 Posts
Viking Tuna
You will be fishing with some of the best in the business. Steve runs a first class operation from start to finish. Steve will do whatever it takes to put fish in the boat, including trolling. My wife and i do a number of offshore trips with Steve every year
![]()
. If you need any info PM me and i will be glad to help you out. We are booked on the Sept 19th 3 day Tuna trip
![]()
.
You will be fishing with some of the best in the business. Steve runs a first class operation from start to finish. Steve will do whatever it takes to put fish in the boat, including trolling. My wife and i do a number of offshore trips with Steve every year
On the Trip too...
On the same trip with you with one of my buddies. We couldn't get a 6pack together for a private charter, so we decided to give this a try. First timer on an overnight Tuna trip, and looking forward to learning the ropes...getting the gear together now(have most, need to buy some). I've searched old posts for info, but if anyone has any advice on essential gear that would be great. I have 2 Penn Senator 4/0 on 8' heavy 80lb Cod rods and a Sealine X50HV for a spare, figure to use these for Tile during the day and for jigging Tuna. 4/0's are spooled w/ 80lb braid, Sealine not spooled yet. Any advice on hook type/size would be appreciated? Circle or Live Bait? Have a ton of lead up to 32oz, and plenty of leader material in 60-->100lb in mono. Have hammered diamond jigs 8, 10, 12oz.
Planning on renting a chunking rod to see if we like this type of fishing before diving in and spending money on a good set-up. Bad idea, or are the boat rods OK for chunking?
Getting some Squid jigs, since that seems to be a MOST important item.
Any advice from anyone who has been on these trips is appreciated, looking forward to the experience and learning as much as I can.
RZ Tuna...Looking forward to the trip.
On the same trip with you with one of my buddies. We couldn't get a 6pack together for a private charter, so we decided to give this a try. First timer on an overnight Tuna trip, and looking forward to learning the ropes...getting the gear together now(have most, need to buy some). I've searched old posts for info, but if anyone has any advice on essential gear that would be great. I have 2 Penn Senator 4/0 on 8' heavy 80lb Cod rods and a Sealine X50HV for a spare, figure to use these for Tile during the day and for jigging Tuna. 4/0's are spooled w/ 80lb braid, Sealine not spooled yet. Any advice on hook type/size would be appreciated? Circle or Live Bait? Have a ton of lead up to 32oz, and plenty of leader material in 60-->100lb in mono. Have hammered diamond jigs 8, 10, 12oz.
Planning on renting a chunking rod to see if we like this type of fishing before diving in and spending money on a good set-up. Bad idea, or are the boat rods OK for chunking?
Getting some Squid jigs, since that seems to be a MOST important item.
Any advice from anyone who has been on these trips is appreciated, looking forward to the experience and learning as much as I can.
RZ Tuna...Looking forward to the trip.
Joined
·
1,807 Posts
Viking Tuna
Trolling/Chunking - 2 speed 50 spooled with 80-100lb mono. The Tuna rods that they have for rent will work for chunking but might prove difficult if they bite is on the troll.
Jigging/Tile- spooled woth 80lb Braid with a mono/fluro top shot, 60lb for Tiles, 80lb for Tuna jigging.
Any heavy duty spinning outfit that can handle 20lb test with a 20lb topshot of fluro.
10lb test class spinning outfit for squid jigging and bait catching with sabiki rigs.
I would check with Steve first to see if he is planning on doing any Tilefishing, as if he is you will also need some 2,3,4 lb sinkers, along with some 5/0 3-way swivels and some 7/0 j-style hooks. PM me if you need any additional pointers.
Trolling/Chunking - 2 speed 50 spooled with 80-100lb mono. The Tuna rods that they have for rent will work for chunking but might prove difficult if they bite is on the troll.
Jigging/Tile- spooled woth 80lb Braid with a mono/fluro top shot, 60lb for Tiles, 80lb for Tuna jigging.
Any heavy duty spinning outfit that can handle 20lb test with a 20lb topshot of fluro.
10lb test class spinning outfit for squid jigging and bait catching with sabiki rigs.
I would check with Steve first to see if he is planning on doing any Tilefishing, as if he is you will also need some 2,3,4 lb sinkers, along with some 5/0 3-way swivels and some 7/0 j-style hooks. PM me if you need any additional pointers.
Joined
·
2,786 Posts
You're fishing with the Best!!!
It bothers me greatly that I cannot make any Viking Tuna trips this Fall due to a mess of other obligations that conflict with their schedule. All I can say is bring some squid jigs and prepare for the time of your life!!
It bothers me greatly that I cannot make any Viking Tuna trips this Fall due to a mess of other obligations that conflict with their schedule. All I can say is bring some squid jigs and prepare for the time of your life!!
Attachments
Joined
·
51 Posts
You certainly have made an excellent choice. I have been doing tuna trips with Viking since the 1980's and I can say that they are an incredibly professional and courteous team. A definite key is to read the party boat tuna fishing do's and dont's thread:
http://www.noreast.com/discussion/ViewTopic.cfm?page=1&startrow=21&topic_ID=74538
It is a must for party boat tuna fishing and it is chock full of valuable information.
For tackle, I bring the following:
-2 Stand up rods with 50 class reels filled with 80lb test (I have had too many malfunctions, breakoffs and tangles causing huge loss of line, etc. to rely upon only one rod during a hot bite)
-1 jiggging rod with a Saltigs 40TT reel for jigging
-1 rod capable of deep dropping for squid with heavy weight for when the squid are not on the surface
-1 lighter rod with a bait casting reel for casting for mahi on the surface
-1 very light spinner for casting squid jigs
-A quality fighting belt
-I pre-tie all of my baitfishing rigs with 80 and 60 pound test
-I have a few jigs with pre-tied leaders as well
-For mahi, I bring a mix of spros and softbaits
-I also bring an assortment of trolling lures but Viking maintains a healthy set of their own so you need not bring any unless you are as compulsive as I am.
The above list is probably overkill - I could probably get away with using half of what I have listed but I actually enjoy prepping for a trip almost as much as going on one.
All that being said, I will be on that trip as well - feel free to PM me if you want to discuss anything further.
http://www.noreast.com/discussion/ViewTopic.cfm?page=1&startrow=21&topic_ID=74538
It is a must for party boat tuna fishing and it is chock full of valuable information.
For tackle, I bring the following:
-2 Stand up rods with 50 class reels filled with 80lb test (I have had too many malfunctions, breakoffs and tangles causing huge loss of line, etc. to rely upon only one rod during a hot bite)
-1 jiggging rod with a Saltigs 40TT reel for jigging
-1 rod capable of deep dropping for squid with heavy weight for when the squid are not on the surface
-1 lighter rod with a bait casting reel for casting for mahi on the surface
-1 very light spinner for casting squid jigs
-A quality fighting belt
-I pre-tie all of my baitfishing rigs with 80 and 60 pound test
-I have a few jigs with pre-tied leaders as well
-For mahi, I bring a mix of spros and softbaits
-I also bring an assortment of trolling lures but Viking maintains a healthy set of their own so you need not bring any unless you are as compulsive as I am.
The above list is probably overkill - I could probably get away with using half of what I have listed but I actually enjoy prepping for a trip almost as much as going on one.
All that being said, I will be on that trip as well - feel free to PM me if you want to discuss anything further.
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
