Ryan Collins
The morning of August 25th began with a trip in search of live bluefish for bait. Catching live bait is arguably the most important step of the giant bluefin tuna fishing experience, and I hoped I would find bluefish quickly and easily.
Unfortunately striped bass were getting in the way. In addition, there were bonito wreaking havoc on peanut bunker. Finally however, a school of 1-2 pound bluefish moved in, and I was able to catch three of them using a Rebel Jumping Minnow.
If you are member of My Fishing Cape Cod, then you can view the area where I found the bluefish (as well as the stripers and bonito) by viewing this map. You can also read this forum thread which has hourly updates for where the bluefish have been feeding in the early morning.
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Stripers and big beautiful bonito were in thick, but I did manage to catch three 1-2 pound bluefish which I would later use for bait for tuna.
With three bluefish and one bonito in the live well I decided to start the long journey to the tuna grounds. By the time I arrived at the tuna grounds, the bonito had died, but the bluefish were healthy and alive.
I was by myself and fishing solo as I rigged the first bluefish and set him out on a balloon. I was pumped to finally be using my new Thrasher tuna rods which I got from the Goose Hummock Shop in Orleans.
I was recently outfitted for giant bluefin tuna by the guys at the Goose Hummock Shop in Orleans. So far my new Thrasher tuna rods have performed great.
Minutes later I began to set my second bluefish, when suddenly the bluefish started to panic and swim at max speed. An instant later the line was ripped from my fingers.
A giant bluefin tuna had engulfed the bluefish about 30 feet beneath my 21 foot boat the Miss Loretta - as I was setting the bait! I could not believe it!
I flipped my GoPro cameras on about 30 seconds after the tuna crushed the blue. Line was peeling off my Penn 80 reel as I flipped on the engine and began to chase down the tuna before I was spooled.
You can watch the entire experience unfold by clicking play below...
Tackle and equipment:
The fight lasted a grueling three hours, and if it was not for my friends Jay Mazzola and Todd Baranowski, I would never of been able to land this fish solo.
The tuna is currently sitting at a market in Japan and will be up for auction at any moment. Last year I received $6.25/pound for this 780 pound giant bluefin, and I am hopeful for an even better price for this 558 pound fish.
Cape Cod has an amazing tuna fishery and we are so lucky to have these incredible creatures swimming in our waters!
If you are a member of My Fishing Cape Cod, then you can learn where I caught the bait, as well as gain access to a full giant tuna fishing tutorial by clicking the button below.
As always be safe and good luck if you head out tuna fishing this week! Please let me know what you think by commenting below.
Tight lines 
Hi Ryan. Great catch! Couple questions. Do you use a two speed reel? And how many pounds of drag where you using. I just picked up two penn vsw reels with 130lbs backing and top shot. Thanks!
Well done Ryan !! Thrilled to have had the opportunity to see the fish in person ! Ambitious for you to be angling for giants by yourself; blessings to have friends nearby and ready/able to help! Congratulations !!
Great to see you there John. Thank you for swinging down in your boat! Maybe we can make it happen again sometime.
unreal!! congrats bro. love the willing assistance of your loyal network of friends out there. great fishery and great people.
It is an amazing fishery and I never would of landed that fish without help from my buddies. Hope your September is treating you well Doug!
Awesome fish!! glad you were finally able to hook into one! Kudos for going it alone for a while……hope to be able to join you sometime!
It was a great experience Dave.
Have you been fishing the outer beaches much lately?
I spent the first two weeks of August fishing the beaches of Truro and Provincetown (sporadically, but I did go fishing!)…..Between my daughter and I, we landed 5 stripers, all undersized though. Two were 26-27″, one was 24″ and two were in the 20-22″ range. Surprisingly, there were no blues. Never saw on or saw anyone else catch them. I think now they have appeared.
Great job Todd and Ryan. Love the video. Tuna are amazing. Cape fishing is amazing.
Cape fishing definitely is amazing, especially during September and October.
Congratulations Ryan!! Awesome Tuna. The video was outstanding.
Thanks for watching Richard!
Congrats Ryan ! I passed you in the canal that a.m. and yelled over to you. I was heading to BB with a buddy and I guess you were already done bait fishing and on your way to catch a big tuna. Sounds like your fishing plan came together perfectly that day.
I remember seeing you guys! Yes I had already caught a few bluefish and a nice bonito and was en route to the tuna grounds. I hope you guys also had a good trip ??
Ryan, amazing to even think about going solo for giants, but you always find a way to push the limits and entertain your members. How do you even grab a bluefish to put it on a hook? Crazy!
I get a grip on the bluefish by holding them right behind the head. There is a little indent behind their pectoral fins which provides for a good grip. Thanks for watching Ron and I hope you’ve been able to get out there on the water recently!
WOW! What an adventure! What a catch! Thank you for sharing ! I have been to the morning tuna auctions at the fish market in Tokyo – followed by breakfast there. That, too, is an adventure. It is something that you and Lauren should experience someday, too!
Wow no kidding Gene. Witnessing those auctions must be something. Tuna is big business over in Japan! Thanks for checking out the video.
What, no dinner from that tail?!!!
Well done guys, make sure you organize that Tuna trip, soon!!!! And count me in…
LOL, we probably could of made dinner from the tail. Plenty of meat left on that thing. I am hoping to organize some tuna trips with captain Cullen from Cape Star for October. Will keep you guys posted via email.
Alot of people have heard, but I know a guy who caught a mid 400lb fish and legitimately got $33/lb. It was a perfect fish, but I hope you get a great price for yours! That was an awesome video.
Yes that my friend who got that awesome price. It was a very fat fish he caught. Unfortunately my fish had good color but no fat. I received $6/pound which is pretty much the average.
Great video! Loved it! Congratulations! I could hear the pure joy and excitement in your voice! Glad you had your friends to help.That was a beautiful fish! Saaawweeeeeet!
It was definitely an awesome experience Leslie. On another note I’m looking forward to surfcasting the beach with you and your husband next weekend! See you then.
Thanks for sharing the video Ryan! Looks like another epic day aboard the Miss Loretta!!! FYI – I’m headed out on the 17th for my shot at these fish – fingers crossed we find one like this!!
It was another memorable day on the Miss Loretta. I owe a lot to that little boat!
Good luck on the 17th. I am sure you guys will have a good chance. ??
Ryan…. Nate, Ian and I watched this video to start our Sunday! Thanks for sharing and continuing to hook my boys! Excellent adventure! Congratulations!
That is great to hear Chris! I’m really happy your boys are hooked on fishing. Thanks for sending over this picture of Nate! Great fish ?
Lauren must be so excited, another smelly tuna tail to “decorate” the shed !
LOL, yes the tail is in the shed right now and it stinks. I will be retrieving all garden tools and supplies for the next month at the least, as Lauren won’t go within 20 feet of the shed/tail.