Blue Fin Tuna Frenzy - Late Summer Cape Cod Fishing

If it's late summer, then it is time to go Blue Fin Tuna fishing off the coast of Chatham Massachusetts on Cape Cod. The commercial Tuna season gets into gear from the middle of August into late September and early October. If the Tuna quota is met early, then the season ends. The fishermen who chase these fish refer to them as "Giants". There is one fish that was sold in Tokyo that was around 1000 pounds and fetched a reported $50,000. That is why these fishermen get into a frenzy chasing the Blue Fin Tuna. This frenzy is fueled by greed. The Japanese consider this giant fish a delicacy. A Tuna with higher fat content is highly sought after. As the fish get fatter the price in Tokyo goes higher.

Fishing for Tuna requires good-sized seaworthy boats that are capable of fishing in treacherous 12 foot or more wave conditions. The fishing grounds start at the Crab Ledge area 6 miles or so off of Chatham. Most of the boats will be found 40 miles or more off shore. This area is teaming with baitfish and squid that the Tuna gorge on before heading south for the winter.

Chumming is one method used to catch Blue Fin Tuna. Chunks of oily fish are ground up and ladled into the water. A slick or scent trail spreads out behind the boat. Then large hooks are baited with big chunks of squid, mackerel, or herring. The baited hooks are suspended at different depths. The idea is that the Tuna smells the bait slick and follows it close to the boat. The tuna hopefully eats the baited hook and you catch the Tuna.

The second method is harpooning. Small single-engine planes fly overhead looking to spot large Tuna. A boat with a bow pulpit that can extend 20 feet off the bow is in contact with the plane. The plane will direct the harpoon boat to the location where the tuna is close to the surface. This is where the frenzy part comes in. These boats come charging through all the rest of the boats. The harpooner is perched precariously over the water. He signals the skipper which way to turn. Once the tuna is in range he throws the harpoon and "sticks" the fish.

Large floats are attached to the harpoon line. The fish gradually tires from pulling the floats under. Eventually the crew pulls in the attached line and brings the Tuna alongside. It is hauled inside the boat with the block and tackle. The Tuna is then cleaned and iced down for freshness.

The third method used to catch Tuna is trolling. Large 4 foot wide spreader rigs with about 10 to 12 plastic imitation squid are dragged at about 10 miles an hour behind the boat. The idea is to imitate a school of squid. Hopefully the Tuna will eat the squid with the hook. Then the fish is fought on rod and reel and brought aboard.

With all three methods the Tuna is quickly cleaned and iced down. A radio call goes to the buyer who meets the boat at the dock. The Tuna is then quickly trucked to Boston and flown overnight by air freight to the hungry Blue Fin Tuna connoisseurs in Tokyo. Tuna prices can reach $100 a pound in Japanese restaurants

It is an amazing site to see bunches of boats chasing these Tuna. Whales and Dolphin can be seen breaking the water's surface all over the place. Wheeling and diving Sea-gulls are everywhere picking up bits of fish. Spotter planes are circling overhead. Radios are blasting with excited chatter from the fishermen. Frenzy certainly describes Blue Fin Tuna fishing in late summer. It's a sight that you will never forget. Summer Tuna fishing is a blast.