JUNE 8, 2007



The tuna bite is heating up, and these aren't your garden variety tuna. These bruisers are agressive and mean business.

Oregon Inlet saw a tremendous tuna bite in advance of the small tropical blow that popped up off the coast. Boats were concentrating around the 700 line in 100 to 300 fathoms. Fifty plus pound Yellowfin tuna were seen leaping out of the water chasing flying fish and boiling on the surface after small mackerals. Boats were able to drift with the boils and cast to the tuna. It was an awesome site to witness the bailing of 50 pound tuna.

VBSF supporters, Team "Still Think'n", made the haul down to Oregon Inlet and fished in the Pirate's Cove Tuna Roundup. Day one of the tourney they put several large tuna, 45-55 pounds in the box. All were caught on the troll around the boils of feeding tuna. Day two they caught a Big Eye that scaled at 106 pounds and set them firmly in second place overall. The team took first honors in the Outboard Division and Second Place Top Angler went to Brian Steadman for hooking the Big Eye. Truly a great job by the team considering they were up against the majority of the Oregon Inlet Fleet, some of the best tuna fisherman on the coast. "First Crack" took first with total weight of 215.5 pounds and and VBSF Supporter Mike Randall on the bridge of the "Sea Wolf" rounded out the top three with 205 pounds. The tuna bite is still pretty strong even after the blow. Most fish were being found on the cooler sides of temp beaks. Look for the bait and the tuna won't be far behind.

Mahi are still in abundance. Scattered weed lines are holding some nice gaffers, some nearing 30 pounds. A few Sails are still being seen as well as the stray Blue Marlin.

Several boats out of Rudee Inlet took the trek south to fish with the Oregon Inlet fleet and were able to get into some of the hot tuna bite. "Top Notch" came back in with several tuna in the 35-50 pound range. VBSF Sponsor "Mega Bite" mad the run and found themselves battling some mahi off a scattered weed line. On the way home they hung a nice Amberjack off a Navy tower.

Hatteras is still holding the title as "Mahi Central". Big dolphin, many over 30 pounds, are filling the fish boxes. VBSF Sponsor "Backlash" is still putting its charters on great numbers of Mahi and some Wahoo. Jon "Carolinasman" fished aboard the "Wired Up" and scored with a Mahi that topped 30 pounds. King Mackeral are making a showing around some of the favorite rock piles. A couple boats made a overnight trip and found some big tuna. The "Big Tahuna" boxed a 200 pound Big Eye and 900 pounds of Yellowfin. "Reel High" managed to land a 100 pound Sword on their trip.