New to Tuna fishing

Remember that tuna's are federally regulated and you need a special lic to catch them. Here is whats needed and a link to how to obtain a lic.

Regulated Atlantic tunas (Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, and bigeye tunas)


Atlantic HMS Angling Permit (Recreational) Description

All owners/operators of vessels fishing recreationally for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. Similar to Atlantic tunas permits, 2009 Atlantic HMS permits cost $16.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2009.
https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/PermitList.asp
 
turbinedoctor said:
you only need a permit if you get caught!!

Knowing my luck I will get caught so I plan on getting the permit.
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Thats my luck too. Not sure how big the fine would be but my buddy got mixed up one striper season thinking the min was 28" and it was actually 32". They took his fish and gave him a ticket for both fish of $175.00 each. He got lucky and the judge believed his story and only charge him for one fish at $175.00 but that still alot of dough.
 
Permits here are $28 for rec or commercial so you need to decide what you want, cause they only allow you one or the other.

If you get a commercial and want a smaller one to take home its no deal!! So you really have to decide to sell or keep.
 
It aint a lever drag, and it aint that pretty, but before I'd stay home I'd use my trusty 4/0, 6/0, and 9/0 Penn's for anything. I think my back would play out before their drag would. The 6/0 I use every trip was bought from JC Penny sporting goods department for $18 in 1974 and it has the original drag plates. That reel has been used on every boat since my 1972 V-20. It has caught more fish than most do in several lifetimes....nothing wrong with those ugly Penn's. Most folks have never seen a Penn 1/0, I brought up a 400+ pound goliath grouper with one.....but don't recommend it. My 2cents is if you can afford a lever drag, go for it, but if not the Penn Senator isn't bad equipment. The only problem I've ever had with a Senator is the side plate screw backing out during a prolonged fight because of flexing while the handle was cranked. I did have a side plate crack because I couldn't stop and tighten the screws. If you're set on a lever drag, try the pawn shops. A buddy bought a full set of them for a few hundred dollars but who know's where they came from.
 
macojoe said:
Permits here are $28 for rec or commercial so you need to decide what you want, cause they only allow you one or the other.

If you get a commercial and want a smaller one to take home its no deal!! So you really have to decide to sell or keep.
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What's with the $28 permit? Doesn't the $16 HMS permit cover you in Mass. waters for recreational?
 
permit, gas, rods and reels.

Commercial permits also have mandtory gear you need to buy also, you need a epirb and a certin one, also if you are fishing in the fall you need survial suits, and monster rods and reels to drag the 500+ pound tuns in, lots of cash before you even get going!
 
Steplift 72' said:
It aint a lever drag, and it aint that pretty, but before I'd stay home I'd use my trusty 4/0, 6/0, and 9/0 Penn's for anything. I think my back would play out before their drag would. The 6/0 I use every trip was bought from JC Penny sporting goods department for $18 in 1974 and it has the original drag plates. That reel has been used on every boat since my 1972 V-20. It has caught more fish than most do in several lifetimes....nothing wrong with those ugly Penn's. Most folks have never seen a Penn 1/0, I brought up a 400+ pound goliath grouper with one.....but don't recommend it. My 2cents is if you can afford a lever drag, go for it, but if not the Penn Senator isn't bad equipment. The only problem I've ever had with a Senator is the side plate screw backing out during a prolonged fight because of flexing while the handle was cranked. I did have a side plate crack because I couldn't stop and tighten the screws. If you're set on a lever drag, try the pawn shops. A buddy bought a full set of them for a few hundred dollars but who know's where they came from.
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Thanks for your two cents worth on the Penn Senators, I have been looking at them too but havent heard experinces like yours.

Do you think the new Penns are as good as the older ones?
 
Penn;s are old school, they work and I have some that are 40 years old and still ticking away. I have never had the opportunity to fish the big reels for giant tuna but would have no concerns with them at all.
 
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