A GIANT CLEANING JOB
Text by Capt. Cal Robinson
Congratulations! After endless hours on the water your dream has finally come true. Hanging off the spring cleat of your boat is a fat 500-pound giant bluefin tuna. Now is the time you get to ask yourself that question a thousand new tuna fishermen ask every year: ÒWhat do I do now?Ó Brokering tuna fish is a highly competitive business. Seek out a tuna buyer that has been around for a while and has been successful to sell your first tuna to. Check with local fish co-ops or the State Department of Marine Resources to get a list of buyers that operate in your area. Check them out with fellow fishermen and then contact the buyer before the season. Understand what his requirements are to purchase and pick up your fish. Get his cell-phone numbers and find out which ports and docks he is able to make the pick up. Ask about his different buying programs and how the transaction is to be handled (consignment or an outright purchase).Now, letÕs take a look at how to handle a giant bluefin, from the time itÕs brought boatside until youÕre back at the dock. Follow these step-by-step directions to ensure a good quality product that hopefully will please your buyer back at the dock and ultimately the customers in Japan.
Step 1
Now that we have all the right tools, letÕs go to work. First move the tail rope up to the spring cleat amidships and tie it off so the tail is right at the gunnel of the boat. Put the boat in gear and the fishÕs head will come to the surface at the stern of the boat. Place the gaff in its mouth and make two very shallow (just below the skin) bleeding cuts with a small knife. Roll the fish over with the gaff and make two more cuts on the opposite side. The cuts are made one hand width behind the pectoral fin hinge, and between the second and third yellow finlet near the tail.Step 2
Move the tailrope back to the stern cleat, make it fast, and put the boat in gear while ÒrakingÓ the gills with the harpoon pike in order to make the fish bleed out completely. This is a good time to clean up the cockpit and make ready to bring the fish aboard.Step 3
Every fisherman should have a plan for loading the fish into the boat. The method will depend on the size and style of the boat, so make sure you have a plan before you make a trip. Here are some things to avoid. Do not lift a fish with the head of the fly gaff. These generally arenÕt strong enough and a good fish will straighten one out if the sea is at all rough. DonÕt pull the fish tail first across the gunnel or transom; this will generally scuff up the scales on the precious belly and reduce the fishÕs value. Also assure the Òbad sideÓ with the harpoon or gaff holes, and any injuries or bruises, is down when the fish is pulled through the transom door or lifted over the washrail. This becomes the position the fish will be moved and transported all the way to the auction in Japan. Plan to have your tuna bag open and ready to receive the fish when it is brought aboard, this will prevent difficult re-handling in the cockpit that could further bruise the fish.Step 4
Using your small knife, carefully cut a small incision from the vent or anus towards the head. Make this incision only big enough to fit your hand in.Step 5
Reach in with your fingers and pull out and sever the three sinewy muscles, or cords, which attach the stomach and gonads to the body cavity. TheyÕll feel like heavy duty bungee cords. It is important to cut all three of them in order for the organs to come out through the mouth. Be sure not to cut the flesh inside the body cavity when doing this. In other words, take your time.Step 6
Position your saw on the gill plate just along the Òfalse gill plateÓ and prepare to cut. Once it has been cut through most of the way, it can be broken off, leaving the gill membrane exposed.Step 7
Using the Tiger knife separate the gills from the body by cutting the membrane where it meets the flesh. The Tiger knife makes this job easy, but if you donÕt have one you might opt to use your saw to separate the gills at the bottom and top by the mouth. Once the gills are cut free, grab and twist them while pulling them out. All the organs will come right out of the mouth or the opening in the gill plate. Reach back into the body cavity to make sure all the organs were removed.Step 8
Now youÕve done it! Simply pack ice through the fishÕs gills until the body cavity is full, which usually takes two to three bags for most fish. Then zipper it into the tuna bag you have at the ready. When the fish is loaded onto your boat make the call and give the buyer an accurate time of arrival at the agreed upon meeting place. When the bite is hot, the tuna technician that picks up your fish can be very busy, so itÕs important you do your part to be there at the agreed upon time. The key to a smooth sale of your first tuna is communicating with your buyer prior to the sale.Step 9
Inserting the washdown hose into the bag will keep the fish moist on the trip in, and also help to lower its temperature as the saltwater mixes with the ice. ItÕs always a nice ride back to shore with a big fat fish bagged up in the cockpit.Step 10
A short tail rope, just big enough to go around the tunaÕs tail, will aid in controlling the fish as it is lifted onto the dock. Note how well this fish is packed in ice. Once again, take your time and do not bruise the fish, lay if bad side down for the buyer to inspect.Step 11
Upon reaching the dock have your cockpit clean, attach a short tailrope to the fish, and wait for instructions from your buyer. The technician will take a tail sample and inspect the fish for fat content, and may also take a core sample that will show him the fishÕs temperature if he suspects it has been overheated. He will then insert a metal tag into the fish and lift it out of your boat and transport it to his refrigerated truck. He may remove the head to make the fish more manageable. Make sure you have a copy of your tuna permit with you as he will need to see it. Most technicians, if they are not in too much of a hurry, will be glad to explain the process to you. Take some good pictures of your fish. A great shot is the fish hanging over the transom with the crew standing behind it, just make sure it is high enough so you can read your boatÕs name. Hopefully, this will be the first of many giants to come, but there will never be another quite like your first one!