I'm not sure how to describe Prince Edward Island. I've had 16 hours of driving to reflect and I'm still at a loss for words. Honestly from a fishing perspective it's the most magical place in the world. There is no other place on our planet that will give you the opportunity to test you angling skills against the largest Bluefins that swim. Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest and greenest province. Cradled on the waves of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, PEI is known for the vivid colours of its gently rolling landscape, surrounded by miles of sandy beaches and red sandstone cliffs.
It's like Jurrassic Park meets Sea World. When you arrive you are immediately consumed by how old world it is as you pass the rolling green hills, farmhouses and dark red clay soil. Then when you meet Tony and his crew, you feel like your a part of the family and you feel secure, safe and sound.
The boat ride however should be longer than the approximate 5 minute ride to the fishing grounds because you should have more time to brace yourself for the absolute destruction that goes on under the surface of the dark blue water. Actually I'm joking because nothing can prepare you for what your about to see and fishing will forever be changed. I guarantee you you will be ruined forever.
5 seconds ... That's right count 1,2,3,4, 5 and you will be tied into a massive bluefin ranging from 600-1200 pounds as it rips under the boat and swallows your hooked bait. It's like these powerful monsters are pets and you called them by name. Immediately upon arrival to a herring net. They will swarm under the boat looking for a free hand out, not knowing that one will contain a circle hook.
Back to Tony's Tuna fishing for a moment. Tony is one of the areas top captain and he and his brother Brandon are tops in my books. On my particular trip he had a fully stocked cooler with every drink imaginable, cheese & crackers. For lunch Tony prepared fresh lobster rolls and fresh cooked mussels to warm us up. Best service I've ever seen.
My experience was unimaginable but I was prepared. I reached out to my good friend Dennis Braid who has pioneered modern day stand up fishing and asked him what to expect because he really discovered stand up fishing for Giants in PEI. He has landed many giants from 1,000-1,200 pounds. After consulting Dennis I decided to use his Powerplay system which consists of his Custom 4'8" Powerplay Rod paired with his powerplay belt and bucket harness. For my reel and line I chose an Okuma Makaira 80w 2speed reel spooled with 1,000 yards of Jerry Brown Hollowcore spliced into a 200 foot Topshot of Momoi Diamond line and finally finished off with a 10' 400 pound fluorocarbon leader.
Luckily for me, I hooked my dream fish and after a tough 40 minute fight with drags ranging to 55 pounds I was able to successfully catch and release her boatside. She was estimated to be in the In the high 900's-1,000 pound range but before I could let her swim away I needed to jump in and take a photo with her to pay my respect. After a quick shot we swam her and she kicked away and dove back to the depths of Prince Edward Islands mind blowing waters.
Prince Edward Island .... The trip was organized by Saltywater Tackle in Brooklyn. Thank god my best friend Sami from Saltywater tackle organized this trip as it would turn out to be the best fishing experience of my life. Thanks hermno its great when after years of discussing something the plan comes together
Listening to all these stories about giants, catching them in super sonic times and people boasting about crazy drag settings our group of four decided to come here and see what it takes to actually land these fish. This place is magical no other way to describe it, a fisherman's dream. Literally 10 minute boat ride, then another 5 seconds before your bait gets inhaled by a pure giant.
Its really easy to get carried away once you get here but in admiration of these fish our group decided against taking any fish in the boat for pictures.
Masterful performance. Captain Tony of Tony's Tuna fishing was the single most gracious captain I have ever met. Massive cooler stocked with food, drinks, beer, followed by fresh lobster rolls for lunch and fresh PEI mussels cooked for us before we headed in.
All fish landed in the 700 - 1000 pd + range
Article source: http://www.sportfishermen.com













