09/21/2006 & 09/22/2006 - Jenny Lee Tuna Trip Report
Sorry for the delay boys and girls, finally getting to the tuna trip report aboard the Jenny Lee from 09/21/06 through 09/22/06.
First let me start off in saying we had a great group of guys on board, they really made the trip.
Thanks to Rich for organizing this trip, and for Tom (lefteye) to get a fill-in for Tom (tdaly).
I had a great time with Craig, Dale, Rich, Rick, and Tom aboard!
I figure the best way for me to run through this trip is to start off with what I thought was good about it, because I have
quite a bit to say about what wasn't so good about it.
Of course the guys that went with were great, despite all the other crap that happened, we still had a great time!
The Jenny Lee itself is a beautiful boat. Very well maintained, solid rod/reel setups, tons of amenities (although some didn't work
like the Satellite TV), but super clean, fast to get out to the canyon, and plenty of stern room to fish. Cabin room was ample, nice L
couch and chair, decent kitchen, microwave, refridgerator, freezer, etc.
Well I guess that is where the good stops, heh sad isn't it?
Now on to the not so good....well lets run down a few things I thought were either strange or just plain sucked.
Disclaimer, this is not going to be nice...I tell it how it is, good or bad. This is only MY opinion, based on my experiences working
on charter boats and in fishing (both general inshore saltwater and offshore)
1) When we got to the boat, it was time to pack up. Naturally all of us did our due diligence and packed our coolers. Well the captain
and mate wanted it their way and decided to unpack all of our coolers into two biggers ones and stock the kitchen. No big deal really,
probably the best way to do things to maximize space, but I don't think it was really necessary. Only reason I am mentioning this is
because it sets the precedence for how things HAD to be the captain's way (?).
2) Second up was the parking "rules". We had asked where we should park such that we didn't get blocked in or prevent anyone from getting
to their slip. Well the captains reply was that we had to leave our vehicles UNLOCKED WITH THE KEYS INSIDE!!! WHAT?!?!?! Are you
kidding me? Should I hang a sign up that says, "Steal My Tahoe, Keys Inside" while I'm at it? Not to mention this "small" detail was
not posted on their website, so I had several $1000 worth of equipment in my truck that was NOT being left unlocked. I locked my keys
in the back of Craig's truck and left my Tahoe LOCKED. If they needed to move it, they'd have to tow it!
3) OK, so after we get to the canyon, the mate starts setting out spreaders and trolling gear. I notice he opens up a cooler with a
metal tray full of pre-rigged salted down Ballyhoo! I think, "Nice! These guys are on the ball, pre-rigged gear, ready to roll!!!".
Well the concerning part was some of the Ballyhoo were missing eyes and whatnot, I found it strange but didn't think anything of it...until
after we were done trolling, the mate wrapped the Ballyhoo rigs back up after trolling them for 5-6 hours and salted them back down.
What the hell? Are they REUSING Ballyhoos after trolling with them for HOURS. How old are the ones we've been trolling all day?!?! How many
trips have they been used on?!?! Could that have anything to do with why we weren't getting any action on the troll?!? For the record we
did have two hits, but no hookups on the troll. I'm really wondering why that was. The 3 others times I've been out to the canyon, we
beat on the fish on the troll and word from the Canyon Runner was they had 14 fish in the box before we had our first...but not sure how many came
on the troll.
Anyway, quote from Jenny Lee's website regarding Ballyhoo:
"We do custom Ballyhoo rigging on board with the freshest bait shipped from Florida all season."
I beg to differ...
4) So trolling is over, anchored up, set out the chum pot get the chum line going...and drop some lines in the water...right? WRONG!
Lets clean all our trolling rods with soap and freshwater, then chamois them down, and store them away first! Say what?!? Well that is
what the captain and mate did. I figure the first thing you want to do is get your bait rods IN THE WATER! You have what...another 20
hours to clean your trolling rods and store them away?!? I believe their reasoning was...it takes time to get the fish to come to the
chum anyway...as a customer I don't think it matters...we want to see lines in the water first and foremost, not watch them clean rods.
5) Moving on to rods...figure there are 6 guys on board fishing, how many rods should we have out? Minimum...would you say, I dunno
a round number...6?!?! One for each guy?!?! OK, lets be proactive and set out maybe a few more...apply some simple logic...the more
rods you have set out, the greater your chance of getting hookups?!?!
Well, they set out 4 for tuna, and one deep for swordfish (which generally rarely goes off). I bring this up with the mate, saying each of us would
like our own rod and to get involved with the fishing. He says, "Well maybe when the fishing heats up, I'll get some more rods out and you can
work the baits". Say what? OK, so you wait HOURS for the bite to come on...and THEN and ONLY THEN, you are going to grab more rods and
rig them up for the bite? Dude, shouldn't you have those READY TO ROLL BEFORE the bite comes?!?! Basics here people, basics!
OK, so lets give them the benefit of the doubt, they are the experts, I'm not. They want to minimize the number of rods to prevent tangles.
BUT...you can always reel some in once the bite is on and clear them out of the way. At least that is how we've done it the other
times I've been out to the canyon. For the life of me, I can't understand why they stuck with 4 rods...especially when the fishing was slow.
You figure when the bite is slow, get more out there those times something comes cruising by. Set at different depths, FIND the fish. Get
some hook ups FIRST, then worry about tangles. Why are you worrying about tangles BEFORE you have any fish hooked or even know what depth they
are at, or what baits they are hitting?!?
6) Moving on...lets get into the fishing. Oh wait, we couldn't actually fish. We were NOT allowed to touch the rods! We could NOT set
the hook on the fish! We had to sit back and WATCH as the mate and captain did all the fishing, then when a fish hit, THEY had to set the
hook, fight the fish shortly, and hand it off to us! Say what?!?!? Are you kidding me??!! We spend all this money to WATCH them fish?
Not to mention you are losing the advantage of having that fish turned to the boat and coming in, then lose that advantage when the mate/captain
pause to handoff the rod, giving the fish a chance to turn away and runoff everything they just gained.
This was probably the most frustrating part of the trip, for all of us. We wanted to FISH...from the time the bait hit the water to the time
the fish was gaffed. Not going to happen. In fact, early in the AM, we had a nice shot of tuna come through, two hooked up and the mate was
in the process of putting another line out. He put the rod in the holder and said to the captain, "line is at such and such feet, let it down
to 100 feet". Captain is busy with another rod, so I step up and say to the captain, "Don't worry about it, I'll let it out". The captain
literally body checks me and tells me to "Stay away from the rods, we'll handle it, just stay back". WTF! Dude this isn't my first time
fishing out here, and I was a mate on a charter for 4-5 years...christ almighty what is this BS?!?
At this point, I conceded the trip and just let the captain and mate do their thing. We had some fish in the box, so I knew we were going
home with some steaks...so I sat back and relaxed and when it was my turn to fight a fish or help out, I'd step in. I think Tom had the
same thoughts, as he just went inside and went to sleep.
I'm going to point out an obvious contradiction, again per the Jenny Lee website:
Per that, we should have been able to do anything we wanted to in respect to getting involved in the fishing. Apparently Rich spoke
with the owner, and the owner said the captain was just trying to get us some fish. Well, if we just wanted fish, we'd go to the market.
We were there TO fish, and to enjoy the full experience. This is something any charter boat captain or mate should know, it's a basic
principle of customer service and experience, and was very disappointing to see how this was all handled. At the very least, they should
have asked us how WE wanted OUR trip to be run...not just do it their way with no discussion.
7) OK, another gripe was the swordfish rod. We caught two swordfish, and suddenly the swordfish rod wasn't set out anymore. That I
don't understand at all. I don't know what more I can say about it.
8) Extending off the swordfish rod issue, there were a limited number of fighting belts and no harnesses. OK, I'll admit, I'm a giant
sissy. When I'm fighting a fish over 100lbs, I want to be able to land that fish by myself. Having a solid fighting belt is essential.
I'm not the strongest man on the planet, so the benefits of using a solid fighting belt are highly valued. Then if you are into something
really big, a harness is the ultimate. It really allows you to distribute the weight of the fish and the fight across your entire upper body,
while at the same time being clipped to the reel and not having to worry about holding onto the rod if you get tired or need to sit on a
large fish. On this trip, we had two belts initially, then a third...all of which had to be constantly rotated between 6 guys, refitting them,
trying to get a solid fit and hold, etc. This was a disaster in a pinch when the bite was on because the belts never fit right, everything was a
rush job, and some guys had "shifting" belts while fighting fish. Total crap IMO, should never happen. Next time I go, I'll be sure to have
my OWN belt. But it begs the question, we are paying all this money to go on a charter (and it isn't cheap at $650 a head!)...yet we didn't
have some of the most essential offshore gear. I'd sooner have a nice set of fighting belts and harnesses over a Satellite TV anyday!
9) OK, the next gripe...main line frays, poorly tied knots, missed gaffs and tangles. Bottom line is, we lost wayyyyyyyy too many fish. Main lines
were breaking, probably due to missed frays. Knots were unraveling and breaking at the swivels or hooks. Both of these are again basics, and
should rarely happen on a charter of this quality. Adding salt to the wound, we really couldn't do anything to get involved in that aspect.
If we were letting lines out ourselves, we'd probably be paying attention to those frays and whatnot. Of course, you'd expect the mate and
captain to as well, but I can't seem to figure any other reason a 40-50lb tuna would break 80lb test line with properly set drag.
Then there were the missed gaffs. OH MY, I can't tell you how many there were. I know on the biggest tuna I fought, the captain missed him
at least 3 times. In fact, he actually DOVE AFTER the fish after missing the first gaff! For those that don't know, that is an absolute
NEVER DO, EVER. He was totally off balance, and if he would have gaffed that tuna...it would have been in the rear...and one of two things would
have happened. He would have either lost the gaff (letting go) or that tuna would have ripped him right over the rail. I don't care how strong
you are, you hook a tuna leaning over like that, you have no leverage at all. Scariest moment of the trip I thought. Anyway, he missed two more
head shots on the surface at 4 feet or so...and then finally got him. Meanwhile I'm struggling to reel the fish back in after each miss, the fish
diving back down after being smacked on the head with a gaff.
Tangles, OK they happen. Only reason I am mentioning this is because we were not allowed to touch the rods, probably in fear of tangles.
Well Craig knows firsthand...the captain and mate had some serious tangle issues with a minimal set of rods. One fish on, Craig fighting it...the
captain on the other side of the boat letting lines out and somehow catches Craig's fish, TWICE. Meanwhile, they refuse to cut the line, and
spend 10-15 minutes trying to untangle the lines. Craig is dying, fighting the fish for entirely too long, and eventually has to hand the
rod off in total disgust, he just can't hold on to it anymore (again a harness would have helped here if he knew he was going to fight the fish
for an hour).
I think we went 4 for 12 on tuna, due to broken lines, broken knots, missed gaffs, and tangles breaking lines. No excuse, just poor, poor
numbers for a trip of this caliber. As a comparison, of the 3 other canyon trips I've been on...I don't think we lost 8 fish total. Hell,
it happens, we all know it happens...but it shouldn't happen that frequently for those reasons, period.
10) 30 hour trip and no double booking right?
Well, our trip got cut short "because the troll wasn't producing anyway". Of course, there was little mention that there was another charter
slated to leave the dock at 12:00PM. Wait, did we get a discount losing 5 hours of our trip? Nope. If we wanted to troll for the
remainder of our trip and get nothing, so be it. Didn't happen. Another disappointing and unprofessional move on the part of the Jenny Lee.
I can probably continue on for another few items, but I'll just stop there. I know it's been a long read for anyone that made it through.
I realize the complaints might come across a little harsh, but this isn't a $40 inshore fluking trip on a head boat, this is private offshore
tuna charter with one of the most respected tuna boats on the NJ shore. To say I was disappointed, and that they didn't live up to their name,
is an understatement.
I know Rich spoke with the owner, I know he issued his complaints, and I know he only did it because he and the owner share a mutual friend
who recommended this boat. I don't know if I would ever fish with the Jenny Lee again without some SERIOUS changes to the game plan. I am
not spending that kind of money to watch the captain and mate fish, and I'm pretty sure our entire party felt the same.
Rich did a great job organizing the trip, and he went with the recommendations of others and booked with a well respected tuna charter. So
it is no fault of his own that the trip turned out the way it did, he did an excellent job all around with things. And like I said before, the
guys aboard the trip made for an awesome time regardless of how everything else went down.
Now that that's out of the way, lets move on to some pictures!
The boys, ready to rock as we get ready to head out. From left to right: Dale, Tom (lefteye), Rich (35WHELAN), Craig (Scrubby Fin Tuna), and Rick!
Some Shimanos and Penns on Penn sticks, and a slab of butters.
Some more setups up top:
Rick, capturing it all on video...can't wait to see those videos. Dale is working on the editing, should be awesome!
Rich and Dale all smiles, Tom looking for something in the background. Dude, tell me Dale doesn't look like Dale Earnhart!!!
Here's our mate Sean, super nice guy, I just don't think he was all that experienced offshore.
The Jenny Lee ripping it up to get out...this boat cruises!
Whoosh!
Whoosh^2!
Sean, setting out some trolling rigs in the outriggers
Man the water out there is just awesome, deep, dark blue
Rich and Dale, getting their gamefaces on!
The natives are getting restless...
Trolling gear...didn't work out so well...
Two hits, but no hookups...so why not another look at that beautiful blue...
And a nice sunset offshore...
One more of the sunset...
Just at dusk...
Alright, swordfish rod goes off...FISH ON!!! Dale is up to bat!!!
Dale, feeling the power!!!
Dale fought the swordfish with a shifting fighting belt for some time, then had to hand the rod off. I picked it up and got the swordfish
to the gaff. Here she is on the deck!
Yep, Dale and I were exhausted!
Another shot...note the slice toward the tail of the fish, we believe it hit the propellar.
Then Craig, AKA Scrubby Fin Tuna, took hold of a tuna rod that went off. Note the ummm tangles and lines going all over...meh!
You know how there is Mr. Bojangles...well Craig was Mr. HolyF'inTangles!
Unfortunately this one ran under the boat and broke off.
A short while later, the swordfish rod went off for the second time and Rich stepped in!
Rich, how's that fish feel?
Rich, fighting the fish for awhile now...starts to feel it in the lower back (again harness would have made a world of difference here)
Rich hands the rod off to Rick after a rough battle...here's Rick in action!
Cool picture effect! :P
Rick's having a good time!
Eventually the fish runs up front and the captain takes the rod and runs it around the front of the bow, under the anchor line, and
back to the stern, where Rich takes over again.
Fish in the water...coming into the gaff...
Second sword on the deck! Much bigger fish than the first, probably close to 200lbs.
Washing him off...
Rich posing...not sure where Rick was.
Then the tuna bite came...Tom doing battle!!!
Yahooooooo!!!!
I think Craig took over momentarily but had belt issues
So Rich takes over for Craig...
Rich landed the fish and the first tuna is in the cooler!!!
Then a big bite comes, and our biggest tuna is on the line. Rick is doing battle!
Whoa Nelly!!!
Easy there big fella...the fish taking it's toll on Rick, he hands the rod off to me, and I land it (3 missed gaff attempts)
At the same time, Craig is doing battle with another tuna! He's determined to land this one on his own!!!
Note, this is when they were trying to drop other lines in and I got body checked by the captain to stay off the rods...meh!
Tangle city, refusal to cut tangled lines, leaves Craig fighting this fish for half a century. He just can't take it anymore and
has to hand the rod off. Total digust, I don't blame him one bit!
Rich lands the fish and we're good to go...another tuna in the cooler!
Then the action stopped, and sunrise came...so I decided to snap some more pics.
Nice sunrise coming...
Still coming...
Another...
Another...
Peaking through...
Beautiful...
One more...
OK and some final pics of the fish we caught...
Craig with a nice tuna
Rick and Rich with their swordfish...note the sword had to be cut off to fit in the boat's cooler!
Me with the biggest tuna of the trip that Rick and I caught.
Rick with the big tuna.
Rich with the big tuna.
Dale and I with our swordfish.
Well that's the report, hope you enjoyed it...if you actually made it through all of that!
Thanks again to the guys on the trip, I had a blast and would fish with you guys anytime!
Until next time!
