The World is truly becoming a smaller place through air travel, internet, mobile communications etc. If you had told me 10 years ago that as a job I could travel the World fishing to target exotic fish species, I would have laughed at you. One, it was too expensive and two, knowing how and where to fish was always a problem.
If you did not have the local knowledge you would not really have much of a chance. Now with forums, emails, reports, specialty fishing shops etc fishing has become, in my opinion, the biggest global sport with people traveling to every corner of the globe targeting their desired species. The correct equipment and having the correct guides and hosts can enable you to have a successful trip. You don’t have to be a professional like in most sports; you just have to have the desire, drive and passion to make the trip! Most of the trips I go on are more about the experience and the people you meet rather than the actual physical act of catching the fish, but if you do catch a trophy fish it makes the trip that much sweeter!
I have made two trips to Cape Cod USA to fish for Giant Bluefin Tuna on spinning equipment, but both trips ended short due to weather and a bad accident. So when an opportunity arose late 2011 for organizing yet another trip to Hatteras North Carolina and there was a spot for me, I instantly said yes I was in! I had a vendetta to pay the Bluefin after having three strikes, hooking two fish and landing none in the Cape! 3-0 to the Bluefin! This was an opportunity not to miss! Another chance at a Giant Bluefin Tuna on popping gear!!
As the trip grew closer I was getting all the information I could on what to expect, conditions, equipment etc, I started to get very excited, this was going to be a trip like none other! There was a group of 11 guys from all over the World booked on two boats for the trip.
Finally the day arrived to fly to JFK. I arrived at the Dubai International Airport with high hopes and thoughts running through my head at 100miles an hour, did I have enough gear, did I have enough clothes and mostly could I finally land a Giant Bluefin!! I boarded the awesome Emirates A380 plane (I thought big plane, big fish!!) and 14 hours later I landed at JFK. Flying into JFK I was looking out the window, the sky was clear, sun shining, water blue, I thought this does not look too bad! I picked up my bags and walked through the sliding doors into the open air, Ouch!!! This was not the desert of Dubai! It was freezing with snow but the sun was shinning, crazy!! After trying to unlock bag locks with quickly numbing fingers I managed to get extra jackets and layers on!! Finally the body started to warm up and I knew I was in for one very different experience! 
The weather was not looking good for Hatteras with high winds and big seas. We decided to delay the trip by a couple of days so we did not end up sitting in Hatteras not able to fish. Finally after two days the report from Hatteras was good and a window was opening in the weather. We all met up at Saltywater Tackle in Brooklyn and did the 10 hour drive to Hatteras, North Carolina. We got there in the dark, Hatteras is a small sleepy holiday town and being out of season was very quite! But it made no difference to us, we were not there for a holiday, we were there to catch Giant Bluefin Tuna!
We set up all our tackle late into the night and after a good meal got to sleep. The alarm went off early and everyone was up and ready to go!! We were staying about 100yards away from the boats so an easy walk and we were aboard our purpose built 60ft Sportsfishers, amazing hardcore boats. We met up with the Captain, Dan Rooks, and First Mate Mike. After a quick chat we got underway. The fish had been spotted the day before 60 miles out into the Atlantic. This was not calm sea, this was sea straight out of “The Deadliest Catch”! After a few hours the weather started to clear and we reached the fishing area. As we arrived we were greeted by an amazing sight of 300-400lbs tuna busting on the surface!! Incredible!
A fleet of lures took to the air and the tuna were hooked up almost immediately! Being such huge fish on light spinning equipment we broke a few off however a couple stayed hooked and the battle of wills started. These fish are so huge that you have to either wear them down slowly or they wear you down slowly! After an epic fight we got two Giant Bluefin to the boat. Amazing animals and after a couple of pictures we got them tagged and released!
We started looking for the tuna again and after a short while found them feeding. I cast my stickbait into the middle of the boils and a massive shadow came up and engulfed my lure, I thought I had hooked onto a minibus!! The power was terrifying! I slowly started to gain line back and finally after a backbreaking fight got a massive 320lbs Bluefin Tuna to the boat!! A feat I have long being trying to achieve and something not many people can say they have done!!
We caught a total of 8 Giant Bluefin Tuna over the two days. An epic trip and awe inspiring fish. Next February 2013 we will be taking guided trips back to Hatteras USA to target the mighty Giant Bluefin! For more information you can come in and visit us at our shop in the Dubai Garden Center, Sheikh Zayed Road or come and see any of our top end fishing products. www.oceanactive.com
Published May 2012
