Posted by Ocean Harvester on Oct 23, 2009 in
Fishing,
General,
Ocean Harvest
Record Year Tuna Fishing on the Harvester
This was the best year ever for the Harvester Albacore fishing. We landed 4600 fish in 36 days on the ocean averaging 16lbs each for nearly 47,000 lbs. Pretty incredible for our small boat since last year we only landed 1600 fish for the whole season. What made the difference?
The Weather!
 Short Video of Jumper School |
 Video: Landing Two Albacore |
This July was the clear and calm nearly all month. It was an amazing month with very little wind so it was no problem fishing so we got a lot more days on the Ocean than we did last year and we found the tuna big time. As you get later into the season you have to change your strategy to find the tuna. In the early part of the Summer, when the tuna are moving in they follow the warm currents so you can have a pretty good idea where they will be. They’re here in the summer to put on weight so early on they’re always biting so its just a matter of finding the warm waters and trolling a pattern through it.
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Tags: albacore, commercial, fishing, jumper schools, ocean, Tuna Fishing, video
Posted by Webmaster on Jul 31, 2009 in
General 
Deckhand Mark brings in a Tuna
Yesterday I was fortunate to have picked the perfect day for tuna fishing off of the Oregon Coast.
The time was 5:30 am and the fog was still keeping the sun at bay. 10 anglers left bandon aboard the Prowler owned by Prowler Charters of Bandon. As we came across the bar there were rolling 4 foot swells and all was well.
By 7:15 the water temperature was around 62.5 degrees. We set 8 lines in the water and drew our numbers for the order we would land fish. I drew number 2 which means when number one catches his fish, I get the next one.
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Tags: albacore, Bandon Oregon, Deep Sea, fishing, Off Shore, Prowler Charters, tuna
Posted by Webmaster on Jul 20, 2009 in
General 
The 2009 Oregon Tuna Classic kicked off in Newport today. The tournaments that take place after Newport are: Ilwaco, Wash. on Aug. 1; Charleston on Aug. 15; and Garibaldi on Aug. 29. With the great tuna fishing going on now, this tournament could be one for the records.
The Tuna Classic is a premier fishing event that draws participants from all over the West Coast. All tuna caught in the tournament are donated to the Oregon Food Bank, as well as a major share of the proceeds. This event is probably the best opportunity to learn from some of the top fishermen on the coast.
Events like the Tuna Classic are important to our local economy. The tournament prizes are: heaviest five fish, $3,000; second heaviest five fish, $2,000; and third heaviest five fish, $1,000. They also will have a largest fish jackpot and a largest pelagic jackpot along with a $25,000 mystery weight drawing. Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to wwworegontunaclassic.org.
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Tags: 2009, albacore, Newport, Oregon Tuna Classic
Posted by Ocean Harvester on Jul 14, 2009 in
Crabbing in Oregon,
General,
Ocean Harvest 
Albacore On the Line
It is time for the yearly makeover here on The Harvester, taking her from a heavy hauling machine to a sleek albacore tracking machine. We start by taking off the hauling equipment like the crab block, long line hauler and the deck table that we use for holding and setting the long line gear. Then give the boat a heavy scrubbing, paint the trim, and add the small hydraulic tuna pullers and landing table. All this takes about four days. Meanwhile in the evenings we keep a close eye on the terrafin sea surface temperature charts. They tell us where the water temperature is ideal for the albacore,between 60 and 65 degrees. Over the past couple of weeks we have seen that the warm water has moved from 100mi to 40mi off the coast of Charleston.
On the Hunt: Once we’re in the warmer waters we slow the boat to six knots and throw out nine jigs that vary from 5 to 150 feet behind the boat. They drag a few inches below the surface in the prop wash “disturbed water behind boat”. Albacore mostly travel in groups so they can corner schools of bait fish up against the surface. When they do this the surface is disturbed just like the water behind the boat. So when the harvester drives over some albacore they rise up thinking all that action means chow time. They bite the jigs swimming very fast, once hooked they dive down making the line behind the boat tight.
Video: Capt. Tyler Pulls a Beut
This is when the fun starts, we grab the line and slap it in the tuna puller that pulls the fish close to the boat then we hand pull them the last ten feet to the stern and yank them on. Once they are landed they are bled and packed in ice. Last year we averaged 90 fish per day, the first half of the season was more like 150 fish per day. As the season goes on they fatten up and don’t feed as much so they’re harder to catch, but if you want BBQ fresh tuna later season catch is the best. We can expect good albacore fishing now through the middle of October so get out the BBQ and pressure canner because it’s tuna time.
First Trip:
We left at four in the morning on Tuesday the 9th of July and fished half the day afternoon Tuesday and all day Wednsday for 330 fish at 65 miles off the coast of Winchester bay average size 15 pounds for 6000 lbs total. Weather was good and we offloaded and are heading out again. We expect to have fresh canned tuna available by this Monday.
Happy Crew is Good Crew
Second Trip:
Best albacore fishing we’ve ever had. We pulled 527 fish on Saturday the 11th of July and 180 on Sunday for more than 10,000 lbs of albacore tuna on our 34 foot boat (that’s a record) The guys at the cannery just about crapped their pants and had to hire on some more workers to finish processing (they are still cutting even now ha ha). We were 32 miles off Winchester Bay taking a chance on close in fishing. We hit the mother load and plugged our little boat. No other ships in sight the whole time sorry guys.. you were too far out!
So the canned albacore we JUST CAUGHT are available for you and your family. You can order on line and/or visit our spot at the Eugene Farmers Market Sat 18th. We are working on local pickup locations in Coos/Curry which will be ready soon — We’ll let you know. A lot of other boats have fresh albacore on the docks, just keep a look out for signs near your local harbors. We have some available but we’re on a hot streak so not sticking around on shore too long!!
Local Pickup now Available for Langlois & Coos/Curry by arraignment.
Capt Tyler and the Harvester Crew
Tags: albacore, fishing, tuna
Posted by Webmaster on Jul 13, 2009 in
General 
Tuna are finally in range of recreational and charter fleets. In the past few days the boats of Prowler Charters, out of Bandon, have taken 125 nice albacore tuna. The news has spread like wildfire and droves of boats are gearing up for this exciting fishery. The tuna are out approximately 20 miles and you will have to check Terrapin temperature charts to find at least 59-degree water. The warmer water has moved into the area in long fingers and it’s necessary to find these edges.
Not only is albacore tuna one of the finest table delicacies, but it may rank as one of our top game fish. I had reports of a 43-pound tuna being taken offshore from Charleston. That would be one heck of a fight! You will need to be very careful in smaller boats traveling these distances across an open ocean. I highly recommend that you fish with a buddy boat so you can stay in communication. You’ll find more fish this way and have a much safer trip.
Tags: albacore, charters, Oregon, tuna
