Aitutaki<\/a> and Aitu, Cook Islands<\/h2>\nThe Three Kings Islands<\/a>, New Zealand<\/h2>\nEspiritu Santo<\/a>, Vanuatu<\/h2>\nExcursion Inlet<\/a>, Alaska<\/h2>\nTuamotu Atolls<\/a>, Tahiti<\/h2>\nThe Wanganella Banks, Norfolk Island<\/a><\/h2>\nBom Bom Island<\/a>, S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 & Pr\u00edncipe<\/h2>\nThe Great Barrier Reef<\/a>, Australia<\/h2>\nPuerto Vallarta<\/a>, Mexico<\/h2>\nEach has a unique allure, and each I\u2019ll someday try to get back to. Let me tell you about Nova Scotia \u2013 for Giant tuna, it has no rival.<\/p>\n
Nova Scotia \u2013 Land of Giants<\/h2>\n
While Canada is popular on \u2018I\u2019d like to go there someday\u2019 lists, Nova Scotia, in the North East corner of Canada, probably doesn\u2019t get a look in. It doesn\u2019t get the hoards of tourists, postcard snaps of ice capped peaks, the metropolitan vibe of the West Coast, or the deep glacial waterways framed with impossibly perfect spruce forests that look like miles of giant plastic Christmas trees, but it does have the biggest tuna in the world. In fact the smallest tuna we caught (and released) while fishing there was 800lb (360kg), the biggest 1100lb (500kg) and there were plenty of them.
\n
<\/p>\n
A reason to travel<\/h2>\n
Fishing is one of those things where the potential is limitless\u2026 if you have enough time and money. So lets say you have a little money and your dream is to catch a giant bluefin tuna. Well you could catch one off the coast of Ireland, you might catch one first day out if you\u2019re lucky \u2013 really, really lucky \u2013 but it could take you ten years, if you don\u2019t freeze to death or go broke trying. So why not go where you have the best possible chance of catching a once in a lifetime fish? And if a giant tuna is the dream, the place to go is Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n
The Tuna<\/h2>\n
North Atlantic giant bluefin tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) are the largest of all tuna. Their bulk and profile commands admiration, they look powerful, agile and sleek \u2013 and they have the muscle to back it up. And talking of muscle, these tuna maintain a body temperature warmer then the surrounding water. So to fuel their rapid growth rate, keep themselves warm and power their muscles (which boost them to speeds of 64kph), they need to eat a lot of fish.<\/p>\n
The Fishery<\/h2>\n
The tuna arrive to feed on huge shoals of herring and mackerel that enter the Gulf of St Lawrence and move up into the shallow waters of the Northumberland Strait. These shoals and the feast they create are a spectacle in themselves. Birds, whales, seals, dolphins and dozens of fishing boats all cash in on the herring coming in to spawn \u2013 it’s those eggs in their bellies (roe) that the fishermen want. There\u2019s a market for herring roe in Europe, and I ate some fresh from the gut of a herring, and I can see why \u2013 it\u2019s delicious!<\/p>\n
But the best thing about the herring is they bring in the bluefin tuna, the most prized and valuable eating fish in the world. So why haven\u2019t they all been caught and sold in the fish markets of Japan? Well that\u2019s because Canadian fisheries have managed this fishery superbly, bringing it back from the brink of collapse by introducing strict limits of one per boat, per year, but at the same time promoting the catch and release sport fishery so the local fishermen can maintain a living. And not only are the tuna stocks booming, so are the fishermen and the economy that has been built around the visiting anglers. The only down side is you don\u2019t get to eat your catch, but that\u2019s more than made up for by the bountiful supply of lobsters our hosts served up while we were fishing\u2026. we also ate home-made moose stew, now you don\u2019t get that in the Vancouver cafes.
\n
<\/p>\n
Prince Edward Island<\/h2>\n
P.E.I is the epicenter of this fishery, by virtue that it\u2019s closest to the fishing grounds, but there are several other ports where you can set out from. We fished out from Ballantynes Cove on the mainland, a perfect little fishing port full of lobster boats, all neatly stacked in every available berth. We stayed just up the road from the port (it was haunted, but I won\u2019t go into that) and we got supplies from the nearest town, Antigonish. I didn\u2019t pay much attention to what was there, but I did spark up a conversation with a fella wearing an All Blacks jersey, turns out he was a student studying at University in Antigonish, and apparently it’s a good one\u2026.so apparently I wasn\u2019t as far from civilisation as I felt.<\/p>\n
The Boats<\/h2>\n
The boats are unmistakably fishing boats and all the men are unmistakably fishermen. If the beards, boots and wet weather gear don\u2019t give them away, you just have to listen, they talk about fishing, and only fishing \u2013 it\u2019s fantastic! These blokes aren\u2019t opportunistic tourist operators either; they\u2019re mostly multi-generational fishermen. In the autumn and spring they fish for the market, mostly lobster. But come summer, the lobster pots and nets are set aside and replaced with a game fishing chair and heavy tackle \u2013 the heaviest tackle I\u2019ve ever seen. The rods were as thick as broomsticks and the reels were spooled with 200lb line.<\/p>\n
The Fishing<\/h2>\n
Like all fish, tuna try to eat as much as they can while expending as little energy as possible. As such, the tuna hang around the herring boats eating herring that fall from the nets. So we\u2019d try to attract tuna in the same manner. We\u2019d set a herring net overnight and in the morning we\u2019d haul the full net of shimmering silver herring, the noise of the net hauler and the trail of dead and dying herring attracting the tuna. When they showed up, we\u2019d begin chumming, which basically is throwing herring overboard, and when we were ready, we\u2019d throw a herring with a hook. It wasn\u2019t that simple, and as much as I could go into the technique and the intricacies, this is a travel blog. The point is, seeing these giants exploding on the surface, engulfing baits, was enough to make grown men scream. This is where pictures will not suffice \u2013 so please watch this clip http:\/\/bit.ly\/1AJNL08<\/a><\/p>\nExpedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Espiritu Santo<\/a>, Vanuatu<\/h2>\nExcursion Inlet<\/a>, Alaska<\/h2>\nTuamotu Atolls<\/a>, Tahiti<\/h2>\nThe Wanganella Banks, Norfolk Island<\/a><\/h2>\nBom Bom Island<\/a>, S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 & Pr\u00edncipe<\/h2>\nThe Great Barrier Reef<\/a>, Australia<\/h2>\nPuerto Vallarta<\/a>, Mexico<\/h2>\nEach has a unique allure, and each I\u2019ll someday try to get back to. Let me tell you about Nova Scotia \u2013 for Giant tuna, it has no rival.<\/p>\n
Nova Scotia \u2013 Land of Giants<\/h2>\n
While Canada is popular on \u2018I\u2019d like to go there someday\u2019 lists, Nova Scotia, in the North East corner of Canada, probably doesn\u2019t get a look in. It doesn\u2019t get the hoards of tourists, postcard snaps of ice capped peaks, the metropolitan vibe of the West Coast, or the deep glacial waterways framed with impossibly perfect spruce forests that look like miles of giant plastic Christmas trees, but it does have the biggest tuna in the world. In fact the smallest tuna we caught (and released) while fishing there was 800lb (360kg), the biggest 1100lb (500kg) and there were plenty of them.
\n<\/p>\n
A reason to travel<\/h2>\n
Fishing is one of those things where the potential is limitless\u2026 if you have enough time and money. So lets say you have a little money and your dream is to catch a giant bluefin tuna. Well you could catch one off the coast of Ireland, you might catch one first day out if you\u2019re lucky \u2013 really, really lucky \u2013 but it could take you ten years, if you don\u2019t freeze to death or go broke trying. So why not go where you have the best possible chance of catching a once in a lifetime fish? And if a giant tuna is the dream, the place to go is Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n
The Tuna<\/h2>\n
North Atlantic giant bluefin tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) are the largest of all tuna. Their bulk and profile commands admiration, they look powerful, agile and sleek \u2013 and they have the muscle to back it up. And talking of muscle, these tuna maintain a body temperature warmer then the surrounding water. So to fuel their rapid growth rate, keep themselves warm and power their muscles (which boost them to speeds of 64kph), they need to eat a lot of fish.<\/p>\n
The Fishery<\/h2>\n
The tuna arrive to feed on huge shoals of herring and mackerel that enter the Gulf of St Lawrence and move up into the shallow waters of the Northumberland Strait. These shoals and the feast they create are a spectacle in themselves. Birds, whales, seals, dolphins and dozens of fishing boats all cash in on the herring coming in to spawn \u2013 it’s those eggs in their bellies (roe) that the fishermen want. There\u2019s a market for herring roe in Europe, and I ate some fresh from the gut of a herring, and I can see why \u2013 it\u2019s delicious!<\/p>\n
But the best thing about the herring is they bring in the bluefin tuna, the most prized and valuable eating fish in the world. So why haven\u2019t they all been caught and sold in the fish markets of Japan? Well that\u2019s because Canadian fisheries have managed this fishery superbly, bringing it back from the brink of collapse by introducing strict limits of one per boat, per year, but at the same time promoting the catch and release sport fishery so the local fishermen can maintain a living. And not only are the tuna stocks booming, so are the fishermen and the economy that has been built around the visiting anglers. The only down side is you don\u2019t get to eat your catch, but that\u2019s more than made up for by the bountiful supply of lobsters our hosts served up while we were fishing\u2026. we also ate home-made moose stew, now you don\u2019t get that in the Vancouver cafes.
\n<\/p>\n
Prince Edward Island<\/h2>\n
P.E.I is the epicenter of this fishery, by virtue that it\u2019s closest to the fishing grounds, but there are several other ports where you can set out from. We fished out from Ballantynes Cove on the mainland, a perfect little fishing port full of lobster boats, all neatly stacked in every available berth. We stayed just up the road from the port (it was haunted, but I won\u2019t go into that) and we got supplies from the nearest town, Antigonish. I didn\u2019t pay much attention to what was there, but I did spark up a conversation with a fella wearing an All Blacks jersey, turns out he was a student studying at University in Antigonish, and apparently it’s a good one\u2026.so apparently I wasn\u2019t as far from civilisation as I felt.<\/p>\n
The Boats<\/h2>\n
The boats are unmistakably fishing boats and all the men are unmistakably fishermen. If the beards, boots and wet weather gear don\u2019t give them away, you just have to listen, they talk about fishing, and only fishing \u2013 it\u2019s fantastic! These blokes aren\u2019t opportunistic tourist operators either; they\u2019re mostly multi-generational fishermen. In the autumn and spring they fish for the market, mostly lobster. But come summer, the lobster pots and nets are set aside and replaced with a game fishing chair and heavy tackle \u2013 the heaviest tackle I\u2019ve ever seen. The rods were as thick as broomsticks and the reels were spooled with 200lb line.<\/p>\n
The Fishing<\/h2>\n
Like all fish, tuna try to eat as much as they can while expending as little energy as possible. As such, the tuna hang around the herring boats eating herring that fall from the nets. So we\u2019d try to attract tuna in the same manner. We\u2019d set a herring net overnight and in the morning we\u2019d haul the full net of shimmering silver herring, the noise of the net hauler and the trail of dead and dying herring attracting the tuna. When they showed up, we\u2019d begin chumming, which basically is throwing herring overboard, and when we were ready, we\u2019d throw a herring with a hook. It wasn\u2019t that simple, and as much as I could go into the technique and the intricacies, this is a travel blog. The point is, seeing these giants exploding on the surface, engulfing baits, was enough to make grown men scream. This is where pictures will not suffice \u2013 so please watch this clip http:\/\/bit.ly\/1AJNL08<\/a><\/p>\nExpedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tuamotu Atolls<\/a>, Tahiti<\/h2>\nThe Wanganella Banks, Norfolk Island<\/a><\/h2>\nBom Bom Island<\/a>, S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 & Pr\u00edncipe<\/h2>\nThe Great Barrier Reef<\/a>, Australia<\/h2>\nPuerto Vallarta<\/a>, Mexico<\/h2>\nEach has a unique allure, and each I\u2019ll someday try to get back to. Let me tell you about Nova Scotia \u2013 for Giant tuna, it has no rival.<\/p>\n
Nova Scotia \u2013 Land of Giants<\/h2>\n
While Canada is popular on \u2018I\u2019d like to go there someday\u2019 lists, Nova Scotia, in the North East corner of Canada, probably doesn\u2019t get a look in. It doesn\u2019t get the hoards of tourists, postcard snaps of ice capped peaks, the metropolitan vibe of the West Coast, or the deep glacial waterways framed with impossibly perfect spruce forests that look like miles of giant plastic Christmas trees, but it does have the biggest tuna in the world. In fact the smallest tuna we caught (and released) while fishing there was 800lb (360kg), the biggest 1100lb (500kg) and there were plenty of them.
\n<\/p>\n
A reason to travel<\/h2>\n
Fishing is one of those things where the potential is limitless\u2026 if you have enough time and money. So lets say you have a little money and your dream is to catch a giant bluefin tuna. Well you could catch one off the coast of Ireland, you might catch one first day out if you\u2019re lucky \u2013 really, really lucky \u2013 but it could take you ten years, if you don\u2019t freeze to death or go broke trying. So why not go where you have the best possible chance of catching a once in a lifetime fish? And if a giant tuna is the dream, the place to go is Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n
The Tuna<\/h2>\n
North Atlantic giant bluefin tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) are the largest of all tuna. Their bulk and profile commands admiration, they look powerful, agile and sleek \u2013 and they have the muscle to back it up. And talking of muscle, these tuna maintain a body temperature warmer then the surrounding water. So to fuel their rapid growth rate, keep themselves warm and power their muscles (which boost them to speeds of 64kph), they need to eat a lot of fish.<\/p>\n
The Fishery<\/h2>\n
The tuna arrive to feed on huge shoals of herring and mackerel that enter the Gulf of St Lawrence and move up into the shallow waters of the Northumberland Strait. These shoals and the feast they create are a spectacle in themselves. Birds, whales, seals, dolphins and dozens of fishing boats all cash in on the herring coming in to spawn \u2013 it’s those eggs in their bellies (roe) that the fishermen want. There\u2019s a market for herring roe in Europe, and I ate some fresh from the gut of a herring, and I can see why \u2013 it\u2019s delicious!<\/p>\n
But the best thing about the herring is they bring in the bluefin tuna, the most prized and valuable eating fish in the world. So why haven\u2019t they all been caught and sold in the fish markets of Japan? Well that\u2019s because Canadian fisheries have managed this fishery superbly, bringing it back from the brink of collapse by introducing strict limits of one per boat, per year, but at the same time promoting the catch and release sport fishery so the local fishermen can maintain a living. And not only are the tuna stocks booming, so are the fishermen and the economy that has been built around the visiting anglers. The only down side is you don\u2019t get to eat your catch, but that\u2019s more than made up for by the bountiful supply of lobsters our hosts served up while we were fishing\u2026. we also ate home-made moose stew, now you don\u2019t get that in the Vancouver cafes.
\n<\/p>\n
Prince Edward Island<\/h2>\n
P.E.I is the epicenter of this fishery, by virtue that it\u2019s closest to the fishing grounds, but there are several other ports where you can set out from. We fished out from Ballantynes Cove on the mainland, a perfect little fishing port full of lobster boats, all neatly stacked in every available berth. We stayed just up the road from the port (it was haunted, but I won\u2019t go into that) and we got supplies from the nearest town, Antigonish. I didn\u2019t pay much attention to what was there, but I did spark up a conversation with a fella wearing an All Blacks jersey, turns out he was a student studying at University in Antigonish, and apparently it’s a good one\u2026.so apparently I wasn\u2019t as far from civilisation as I felt.<\/p>\n
The Boats<\/h2>\n
The boats are unmistakably fishing boats and all the men are unmistakably fishermen. If the beards, boots and wet weather gear don\u2019t give them away, you just have to listen, they talk about fishing, and only fishing \u2013 it\u2019s fantastic! These blokes aren\u2019t opportunistic tourist operators either; they\u2019re mostly multi-generational fishermen. In the autumn and spring they fish for the market, mostly lobster. But come summer, the lobster pots and nets are set aside and replaced with a game fishing chair and heavy tackle \u2013 the heaviest tackle I\u2019ve ever seen. The rods were as thick as broomsticks and the reels were spooled with 200lb line.<\/p>\n
The Fishing<\/h2>\n
Like all fish, tuna try to eat as much as they can while expending as little energy as possible. As such, the tuna hang around the herring boats eating herring that fall from the nets. So we\u2019d try to attract tuna in the same manner. We\u2019d set a herring net overnight and in the morning we\u2019d haul the full net of shimmering silver herring, the noise of the net hauler and the trail of dead and dying herring attracting the tuna. When they showed up, we\u2019d begin chumming, which basically is throwing herring overboard, and when we were ready, we\u2019d throw a herring with a hook. It wasn\u2019t that simple, and as much as I could go into the technique and the intricacies, this is a travel blog. The point is, seeing these giants exploding on the surface, engulfing baits, was enough to make grown men scream. This is where pictures will not suffice \u2013 so please watch this clip http:\/\/bit.ly\/1AJNL08<\/a><\/p>\nExpedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bom Bom Island<\/a>, S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 & Pr\u00edncipe<\/h2>\nThe Great Barrier Reef<\/a>, Australia<\/h2>\nPuerto Vallarta<\/a>, Mexico<\/h2>\nEach has a unique allure, and each I\u2019ll someday try to get back to. Let me tell you about Nova Scotia \u2013 for Giant tuna, it has no rival.<\/p>\n
Nova Scotia \u2013 Land of Giants<\/h2>\n
While Canada is popular on \u2018I\u2019d like to go there someday\u2019 lists, Nova Scotia, in the North East corner of Canada, probably doesn\u2019t get a look in. It doesn\u2019t get the hoards of tourists, postcard snaps of ice capped peaks, the metropolitan vibe of the West Coast, or the deep glacial waterways framed with impossibly perfect spruce forests that look like miles of giant plastic Christmas trees, but it does have the biggest tuna in the world. In fact the smallest tuna we caught (and released) while fishing there was 800lb (360kg), the biggest 1100lb (500kg) and there were plenty of them.
\n<\/p>\n
A reason to travel<\/h2>\n
Fishing is one of those things where the potential is limitless\u2026 if you have enough time and money. So lets say you have a little money and your dream is to catch a giant bluefin tuna. Well you could catch one off the coast of Ireland, you might catch one first day out if you\u2019re lucky \u2013 really, really lucky \u2013 but it could take you ten years, if you don\u2019t freeze to death or go broke trying. So why not go where you have the best possible chance of catching a once in a lifetime fish? And if a giant tuna is the dream, the place to go is Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n
The Tuna<\/h2>\n
North Atlantic giant bluefin tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) are the largest of all tuna. Their bulk and profile commands admiration, they look powerful, agile and sleek \u2013 and they have the muscle to back it up. And talking of muscle, these tuna maintain a body temperature warmer then the surrounding water. So to fuel their rapid growth rate, keep themselves warm and power their muscles (which boost them to speeds of 64kph), they need to eat a lot of fish.<\/p>\n
The Fishery<\/h2>\n
The tuna arrive to feed on huge shoals of herring and mackerel that enter the Gulf of St Lawrence and move up into the shallow waters of the Northumberland Strait. These shoals and the feast they create are a spectacle in themselves. Birds, whales, seals, dolphins and dozens of fishing boats all cash in on the herring coming in to spawn \u2013 it’s those eggs in their bellies (roe) that the fishermen want. There\u2019s a market for herring roe in Europe, and I ate some fresh from the gut of a herring, and I can see why \u2013 it\u2019s delicious!<\/p>\n
But the best thing about the herring is they bring in the bluefin tuna, the most prized and valuable eating fish in the world. So why haven\u2019t they all been caught and sold in the fish markets of Japan? Well that\u2019s because Canadian fisheries have managed this fishery superbly, bringing it back from the brink of collapse by introducing strict limits of one per boat, per year, but at the same time promoting the catch and release sport fishery so the local fishermen can maintain a living. And not only are the tuna stocks booming, so are the fishermen and the economy that has been built around the visiting anglers. The only down side is you don\u2019t get to eat your catch, but that\u2019s more than made up for by the bountiful supply of lobsters our hosts served up while we were fishing\u2026. we also ate home-made moose stew, now you don\u2019t get that in the Vancouver cafes.
\n<\/p>\n
Prince Edward Island<\/h2>\n
P.E.I is the epicenter of this fishery, by virtue that it\u2019s closest to the fishing grounds, but there are several other ports where you can set out from. We fished out from Ballantynes Cove on the mainland, a perfect little fishing port full of lobster boats, all neatly stacked in every available berth. We stayed just up the road from the port (it was haunted, but I won\u2019t go into that) and we got supplies from the nearest town, Antigonish. I didn\u2019t pay much attention to what was there, but I did spark up a conversation with a fella wearing an All Blacks jersey, turns out he was a student studying at University in Antigonish, and apparently it’s a good one\u2026.so apparently I wasn\u2019t as far from civilisation as I felt.<\/p>\n
The Boats<\/h2>\n
The boats are unmistakably fishing boats and all the men are unmistakably fishermen. If the beards, boots and wet weather gear don\u2019t give them away, you just have to listen, they talk about fishing, and only fishing \u2013 it\u2019s fantastic! These blokes aren\u2019t opportunistic tourist operators either; they\u2019re mostly multi-generational fishermen. In the autumn and spring they fish for the market, mostly lobster. But come summer, the lobster pots and nets are set aside and replaced with a game fishing chair and heavy tackle \u2013 the heaviest tackle I\u2019ve ever seen. The rods were as thick as broomsticks and the reels were spooled with 200lb line.<\/p>\n
The Fishing<\/h2>\n
Like all fish, tuna try to eat as much as they can while expending as little energy as possible. As such, the tuna hang around the herring boats eating herring that fall from the nets. So we\u2019d try to attract tuna in the same manner. We\u2019d set a herring net overnight and in the morning we\u2019d haul the full net of shimmering silver herring, the noise of the net hauler and the trail of dead and dying herring attracting the tuna. When they showed up, we\u2019d begin chumming, which basically is throwing herring overboard, and when we were ready, we\u2019d throw a herring with a hook. It wasn\u2019t that simple, and as much as I could go into the technique and the intricacies, this is a travel blog. The point is, seeing these giants exploding on the surface, engulfing baits, was enough to make grown men scream. This is where pictures will not suffice \u2013 so please watch this clip http:\/\/bit.ly\/1AJNL08<\/a><\/p>\nExpedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Puerto Vallarta<\/a>, Mexico<\/h2>\nEach has a unique allure, and each I\u2019ll someday try to get back to. Let me tell you about Nova Scotia \u2013 for Giant tuna, it has no rival.<\/p>\n
Nova Scotia \u2013 Land of Giants<\/h2>\n
While Canada is popular on \u2018I\u2019d like to go there someday\u2019 lists, Nova Scotia, in the North East corner of Canada, probably doesn\u2019t get a look in. It doesn\u2019t get the hoards of tourists, postcard snaps of ice capped peaks, the metropolitan vibe of the West Coast, or the deep glacial waterways framed with impossibly perfect spruce forests that look like miles of giant plastic Christmas trees, but it does have the biggest tuna in the world. In fact the smallest tuna we caught (and released) while fishing there was 800lb (360kg), the biggest 1100lb (500kg) and there were plenty of them.
\n<\/p>\n
A reason to travel<\/h2>\n
Fishing is one of those things where the potential is limitless\u2026 if you have enough time and money. So lets say you have a little money and your dream is to catch a giant bluefin tuna. Well you could catch one off the coast of Ireland, you might catch one first day out if you\u2019re lucky \u2013 really, really lucky \u2013 but it could take you ten years, if you don\u2019t freeze to death or go broke trying. So why not go where you have the best possible chance of catching a once in a lifetime fish? And if a giant tuna is the dream, the place to go is Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n
The Tuna<\/h2>\n
North Atlantic giant bluefin tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) are the largest of all tuna. Their bulk and profile commands admiration, they look powerful, agile and sleek \u2013 and they have the muscle to back it up. And talking of muscle, these tuna maintain a body temperature warmer then the surrounding water. So to fuel their rapid growth rate, keep themselves warm and power their muscles (which boost them to speeds of 64kph), they need to eat a lot of fish.<\/p>\n
The Fishery<\/h2>\n
The tuna arrive to feed on huge shoals of herring and mackerel that enter the Gulf of St Lawrence and move up into the shallow waters of the Northumberland Strait. These shoals and the feast they create are a spectacle in themselves. Birds, whales, seals, dolphins and dozens of fishing boats all cash in on the herring coming in to spawn \u2013 it’s those eggs in their bellies (roe) that the fishermen want. There\u2019s a market for herring roe in Europe, and I ate some fresh from the gut of a herring, and I can see why \u2013 it\u2019s delicious!<\/p>\n
But the best thing about the herring is they bring in the bluefin tuna, the most prized and valuable eating fish in the world. So why haven\u2019t they all been caught and sold in the fish markets of Japan? Well that\u2019s because Canadian fisheries have managed this fishery superbly, bringing it back from the brink of collapse by introducing strict limits of one per boat, per year, but at the same time promoting the catch and release sport fishery so the local fishermen can maintain a living. And not only are the tuna stocks booming, so are the fishermen and the economy that has been built around the visiting anglers. The only down side is you don\u2019t get to eat your catch, but that\u2019s more than made up for by the bountiful supply of lobsters our hosts served up while we were fishing\u2026. we also ate home-made moose stew, now you don\u2019t get that in the Vancouver cafes.
\n<\/p>\n
Prince Edward Island<\/h2>\n
P.E.I is the epicenter of this fishery, by virtue that it\u2019s closest to the fishing grounds, but there are several other ports where you can set out from. We fished out from Ballantynes Cove on the mainland, a perfect little fishing port full of lobster boats, all neatly stacked in every available berth. We stayed just up the road from the port (it was haunted, but I won\u2019t go into that) and we got supplies from the nearest town, Antigonish. I didn\u2019t pay much attention to what was there, but I did spark up a conversation with a fella wearing an All Blacks jersey, turns out he was a student studying at University in Antigonish, and apparently it’s a good one\u2026.so apparently I wasn\u2019t as far from civilisation as I felt.<\/p>\n
The Boats<\/h2>\n
The boats are unmistakably fishing boats and all the men are unmistakably fishermen. If the beards, boots and wet weather gear don\u2019t give them away, you just have to listen, they talk about fishing, and only fishing \u2013 it\u2019s fantastic! These blokes aren\u2019t opportunistic tourist operators either; they\u2019re mostly multi-generational fishermen. In the autumn and spring they fish for the market, mostly lobster. But come summer, the lobster pots and nets are set aside and replaced with a game fishing chair and heavy tackle \u2013 the heaviest tackle I\u2019ve ever seen. The rods were as thick as broomsticks and the reels were spooled with 200lb line.<\/p>\n
The Fishing<\/h2>\n
Like all fish, tuna try to eat as much as they can while expending as little energy as possible. As such, the tuna hang around the herring boats eating herring that fall from the nets. So we\u2019d try to attract tuna in the same manner. We\u2019d set a herring net overnight and in the morning we\u2019d haul the full net of shimmering silver herring, the noise of the net hauler and the trail of dead and dying herring attracting the tuna. When they showed up, we\u2019d begin chumming, which basically is throwing herring overboard, and when we were ready, we\u2019d throw a herring with a hook. It wasn\u2019t that simple, and as much as I could go into the technique and the intricacies, this is a travel blog. The point is, seeing these giants exploding on the surface, engulfing baits, was enough to make grown men scream. This is where pictures will not suffice \u2013 so please watch this clip http:\/\/bit.ly\/1AJNL08<\/a><\/p>\nExpedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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Expedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"