Nova Scotia Monsters, Part 2: Episode 204

Jul 26, 2015

5844

Aired: January 23, 2015
Online: July 26, 2015

I had a blast catching and kite-feeding half-ton bluefin tuna in Nova Scotia, Canada. Part 2 of 2.

Gear

Featured in this episode: Shimano Talica TAC50II Lever Drag 2 Speed and Tiagra TI130A reels, Shimano Terez Carbon Fiber Bent-Butt rod, PowerPro 130lb Hollow Ace line, AFTCO harness.

Fish & Aquatic Life

Featured in this episode: Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), mackerel and herring for bait.

Crew

Thanks to Captains Steven Boyd and Andy Moyes of Steven’s Bluefin Tuna Charters. If you want to catch half-ton bluefin tuna, check them out!

Going Fishing? Carter’s Tips

If you’re planning a bluefin tuna trip you should consider your tackle. Most of these giants are caught on 130lb-class gear. I caught my first bluefin on the Shimano Tiagra TI130A from a chair, but then decided the Shimano Talica TAC50II, which boasts a 65lb drag, would be enough for these beasts. I wanted to feel the full pull of an Atlantic bluefin tuna on standup gear! So with my Talica TAC50II reel, a Terez bent-butt rod, and PowerPro 130lb Hollow Ace I did battle. I landed my first 700lb tuna in 30 minutes.

So if you’re looking to test yourself and your abilities, grab a Talica TAC50II and 80lb-class reel and try this on standup gear. You won’t be disappointed!

Be a responsible angler and don’t fish with gear that’s too light. In Nova Scotia I was releasing all these fish. The fight time is critical—you don’t want to fight a fish to exhaustion or it may die after you release it. Get him in, revive him, and release him. These great fish deserve to be in our oceans!