I'd like to try my hand at fishing for tuna this summer. I don't have a boat capable of running far out to sea, so can anyone recommend a good charter service?

Try these guys. link

Check out the Hula Girl at Washington/Westport Charters. Steve Westrick is a great guy to fish with. Very upbeat. I have fished with almost all of the other folks who run boats thrugh this office, and I can say they are all top notch.

Westrick is THE MAN...When we take our customers out he's the only one my co. will go with, Now I gotta get me on one of them trips

Just do it! You wont regret it. A 25 Lb albacore is like nothing else in the NW. The trip is not cheap but a most do if you can swing it. Last years trip we headded back early. The boat's hold was full. Every one left with over 150 Lbs of meat and two very sore arms.

Just do it! You wont regret it. A 25 Lb albacore is like nothing else in the NW. The trip is not cheap but a most do if you can swing it. Last years trip we headded back early. The boat's hold was full. Every one left with over 150 Lbs of meat and two very sore arms.

Is it pretty much guaranteed that you'll catch fish? I'd hate to spend $400 and come home with nada.

I think it's a lock. We went out 5 years ago and also came home early because of liitle bait left/full hold and sore arms. We caught 196 fish in one day (10 guys).
I will say that it doens't keep well even if vacuum sealed. Have some canned and have a big cook out when you get home.

They call it fishing, not catching, but the skippers really look hard for fish. Nothing is ever a lock.

I went out on a 6-pack, and three of the folks were seasick from the first morning on and did little fishing. The one Boeing employee and his wife who did not get sick, along with me fished the entire time. We caught 87 tuna between the three of us, but split our catch evenly with the boat. I don't know what I would have done with 37 tuna.

Check to see if the boat you are fishing from uses "meat lines" and outriggers. The boat I went on had both, plus our hook and line gear. It was a blast.

If you go, bring two rods and a few reels. I'd suggest 5000 series and larger Abu's. It will cut down on the wear and tear on your body.