07/20/15 – Two boats, the Scrimshaw of Coastline Charters skippered by Marc Schmidt and the Foreel II with Captain Cliff Friedley, both out of Eureka landed albacore well south of the jaws and near the 125 line on Sunday.

Today, Schmidt towed the Scrimshaw to Crescent City where it was reported he had five tuna in the box by 9 a.m. just 30 nautical miles offshore using Redwood Coast Spreader Bars. Schmidt was still fishing at the time of this post.

Two tuna caught today on board the Scrimshaw 30 nm off Crescent City this morning. Photo courtesy of Vulpinus/Coastline Charters

On Sunday, Schmidt reported, “One area of fish for us, 3 singles and 1 double... 5 fish total was right around 40.14 and 124.57. The fish were all grades from 7 lb. peanuts to one 33 pounder that looked much bigger compared to the little squirts.” After that spurt, killer whales got in that area and stuck around and shut the bite down, according to Schmidt.

Friedley, who was apparently fishing nearby reported one double and one ‘drive-by” on Sunday, adding, “We landed the first tuna on the new boat and saw some Orcas. The water was extremely clear and the waves were nice and far apart. There was little to no wind as well, making our extraordinary day even better.”

Many more tuna are being caught off Oregon ports where the warm water and clear temperature breaks are only 20-30 miles directly off Tillamook, Depoe Bay and Newport. Warm water is also close to Crescent City, which is why tuna heads are towing north instead of launching at Eureka and running so far south.

For more information about dock totals at North Coast ports, visit norcal.fishreports.com