A multi-day canyon trip is the ultimate challenge the average "Joe" angler can experience. Many party boats in the Northeast run special 2 and 3 day trips to the Hudson Canyon and surrounding canyons each fall in search of tuna. For years I’ve wanted to do a multi-day offshore trip and after speaking with many friends who’ve been on such trips I booked passage for myself and Lisa on a 3 day Viking Starship trip in early September. I thought the weather would still be relatively calm and have a good shot at the various summer time game fish that the Gulf Stream brings to the canyon area. I hoped we would have an adventure.

We were not disappointed!

The following is a list of the tackle I brought with us for this trip:

• Penn 9/0 Senator loaded with 80 lb. test Berkley Big Game clear mono on a 6 foot medium-heavy stand up rod (Lisa gave me the rod as a birthday gift that year).
   
• Penn 6/0 High-Speed Senator loaded with 50 lb. clear Ande on a 6.5 foot medium rod.
   
• Penn 5500SS spinning reel loaded with 12 lb. clear Ande on a 7 foot medium spinning rod.

• Gamakatsu Live Bait HD hooks sizes 4/0 thru 8/0
   
• Gamakatsu Octopus 4x Circle hooks sizes 6/0 thru 8/0
   
• 150 lb. test black Sampo ball bearing swivels
   
• Seaguar fluorocarbon leader material from 40 lb. to 100 lb. test
   
• Egg sinkers from 3 to 8 ounces
   
• Bank sinkers from 6 to 20 ounces.

• Daisy chained Zucchini color style trolling skirts
   
• Tuna feather jigs
   
• Ava jigs from 1 ounce to 8 ounces (with hooks replaced by Gamakatsu Live Bait hooks for extra strength).
   
• Squid jigs

• Green light sticks
   
• Heavy rubber bands
   
• Rubber boots
   
• Snacks
   
• Lots of fresh water!!

We had reserved our rail spots several months in advance, spots 71 and 72 port (right side) along the stern – excellent spots for anchor and chum fishing! It seemed that most of our fellow adventurers had reserved spots either close to the stern or up in the far bow. Few were along the middle rails. Space is kept limited on these trips so as not to crowd anglers. Even on a ship as large as the 120 foot long Starship you don’t want to bunch up the fishermen. This trip saw 35 anglers aboard. Experience levels ran the full spectrum from first timers like us to anglers with half a dozen custom rods and Gold Internationals who take several trips a year.

Departure for our trip was scheduled for 3am so we arrived at the Viking Fleet dock at 1am to have time to load our equipment without rushing. When we arrive we found a bustling fishing dock. The mates were scurrying around helping anglers stow their gear, find their bunks and load last minute equipment, supplies and bait. Many anglers had arrived the night before and setup. Others had spent the night fishing for snappers and tinker mackerel for the live well hoping it would make a difference offshore.

Our rail spots were secure but finding space in the cabin for our tackle was tricky. We had to take space far up front making it a hike to reach from our stern spots. Fortunately as it turned out we didn’t need to make too many rushed trips to the tackle box.

Bunks were supposed to be reserved but it seemed to be more of a first-come/first-served approach. Someone had already gone to sleep in our reserved bunks so we opted for a pair on the other side of the boat. It worked out well. But when they say "Navy style bunks" they mean it!

The Starship left dock a little after 3am and by 3:30am we were passing the Montauk Lighthouse on the way to the deep blue! Captain Richie and Captain Steve said the trip to the canyon would be at least 8 hours. The seas were a little choppy. Waves were running about 5 feet and it was breezy but the Starship handled it well. By this time most anglers had settled back into chairs or their bunks to catch as much sleep as they could before the 3 day marathon was to start. I laid out our sleeping bags and Lisa went to sleep right away (lower bunk). However, I decided to make up some rigs before hitting the sack.

Working on the table in the main cabin I made 2 rigs, one with a 8/0 Live Bait hook and the other with an 8/0 Circle hook. Both had an approximate 9 foot leader of 80 lb. test fluorocarbon and a Sampo swivel at the end. Also made up a few "lighter" rigs with 5/0 Live Bait hooks on 40 and 60 lb. test leaders just incase the tuna turned out to be leader shy. Didn’t want to have to start making up rigs during a blitz. I also rigged the spin rod with a 1 once diamond jog and laid it on the upper deck just incase to cast to tuna or dorado.

With the rigs made I went down to the lower level, climbed up to my bunk and into my sleeping bag. It was hard at first to clear my mind, thinking of what possibilities would lay ahead on this trip. But I guess I was more tired than I though and, combined with the rocking and rolling of the seas and the hum of the Starship’s motors, I was out quickly.

Day 2 – Before the Dawn

I woke to someone shaking my bunk. Lisa was saying "Get up! They’re here!" It was 1 am – a whole 2 hours sleep. In my groggy state I heard a clamor on deck. Staggering out on deck still half a sleep (sometimes a little sleep is worse than none at all!) I arrived in time to see a yellow fin tuna about 60 pounds and small sword fish being boated (the sword was released). I got to my spot and baited up with a fresh butterfish. I also changed my rig from an egg sinker to a 14 ounce bank sinker connected to the swivel by a rubber band. And I added a green light stick.

The anglers next to me said the fish had been hooked about 150 feet down. At about 2 feet a pull and allowing for the angle of the current that would be at least 80 or 90 pulls. The seas were still running about 4 feet and there was a chilly breeze.

I worked the bait up and down the water column for 2 hours but no luck. Several other anglers were picking yellow fins in the 60 pound range but there was not consistent action or depth.

The angler next to me had also brought a spin rod and caught a fresh squid. I decided to also try for some fresh bait. Maybe that would help. I made a few cats beyond the shadow line of the deck lights and quickly hooked up a nice sized squid. Fresh live squid – who could resist it?

I removed the butterfish from my hook and put on the squid. I hooked the squid my carefully inserting the point of the hook into the body about an inch down from the end point. I didn’t want to hit the internal organs that would kill the squid. I also decided to remove the light stick. It didn’t seem to be making a difference. I slow lowered the baited squid down 90 pulls and waited. There was no warning when it came. My rod just bent over in a smooth stoke and the battle was on!

"Fish on!" I yelled. The mates were great. The came over right away and help move me off the stern and down the side where I had room to fight the fish. Even on this heavy tackle the fish was a brute. Don’t know how long the battle was but finally one of the mates said "I see it. Hold it steady." The gaffs went over and a nice yellow fin around 70 pounds was brought on the deck. I was wiped! And grinning from ear to ear.

The mates quickly took my catch to the back, gutted it, iced it down and tagged it with my number. My fellow anglers congratulated me on my catch and all wanted to know what bait and how deep. Information is shared freely by all on board and I was happy to tell them what I had done to catch this beast.

Day 2 – Daylight Comes

A few more fish came over the rail before sun up. All around 60 to 80 pounds. At first light several anglers jigged some fish. I choose to stick with bait hoping for a dawn bite. But it didn’t come.

At about 8am something hit my line with a powerful WHAM! I was using a whole butter fish about 150 feet down. It stripped some line and just stopped. Couldn’t move it. Just strong weight. I fought whatever it was for about 10 minutes and the line went slack. When I brought in the line the leader had been cut clean. Probably was a shark.

A little while later the Captain started the engines and we pulled anchor, heading off to find more productive waters. As we traveled again the trolling lures went out the back but with no luck. The seas were calming down, now only about 2 to 3 feet and the wind was letting down too.

We stopped at several locations, working both bait and jigs. A few smaller yellow fins came up but no real bite. Some anglers in the bow sent heavy rigs to the deep bottom trying for tile fish. A couple of small ones where taken during the day. I managed to grab a short nap somewhere during the day too.

On one stop we drifted through a long weed line. One angler put on a live snapper and live lined it into the weeds. A dorado quickly grabbed it. The water was beautifully clear and blue. We could see a whole school of dorado following their hooked companion as it was brought near the boat. The hooked fish was landed but the school scattered as soon as it left the water. Too bad, we could have had a good dorado blitz. I tried casting a small tin and bucktail into the weed line but no takers. Early in the afternoon we took our lunch break. Linda served corned beef sandwiches on fresh baked rye bread and cole slaw.

By late afternoon we had set anchor preparing for the second night at sea. Sunset saw a quick flurry of action fish come over the rail but it was short lived. We took our dinner early so as not to miss any night action. The second night’s dinner was prime rib, baked potato, salad, bread and cake. Did I say Linda’s cooking is great?

After dark we managed to put a few more live squid into the bait well. Around 9pm I sent one of those beauties down 200 pulls with a light stick. Suddenly, my rod bent over and something stripped almost half the 80 lb. test off my 9/0 reel. I don’t stop it! For the next 30 minutes all eyes were on me. Whatever it was it wouldn’t move. Finally Capt. Richie put on gloves and started to hand pull it in. About half way up fate stepped in and the line gave out. When I finally brought in the tag end it was all chewed up and gnarled. Can’t say for sure what it was. Guesses ranged from a big eye tuna to a shark to a large sword fish. I'd like to think it was the sword.

Day 3 – Another Night Out in the Canyon

The rest of the night went slow. The seas dropped to only a foot or so but the action was inconsistent. A little before first light I remembered the guys with the jigs the day before, so I put away my bait rod and started working a jig. At first light my jig was about 70 feet down when it got slammed. I pumped this fish, a nice albacore, to the boat side. But as the mates went to gaff it the fish dove under the boat, the line rubbed on the hull and it was gone. Oh well. A few other albacore came up on jigs that morning but there was no morning bite.

At about 9am the Captain sounded the three horns and we started our way back in. Lures again went out the back but were met with the same lack of results. The seas had dropped to flat calm and it was turning into a beautiful day on the water. Linda made our final breakfast of blueberry pancakes, potatoes, juice and coffee.

The mates spent the morning cleaning the fish and weighing the pool. The pool winner was an albacore of about 85 pounds. It was close competition.

Along the way some anglers had the foresight to bring Soy Sauce, Ginger and Mustard. A sashimi party got started. I’m not a fan of raw fish (lox on a bagel is as close as I get to raw fish without it having a hook in it'’ mouth) but this was great! I can see why connoisseurs insist on the freshest fish for sushi and sashimi. Also, one of the friends of the Captain had her birthday during the trip and an ice cream cake was served. That was a great treat!

As we approached land the Montauk lighthouse greeted us as it has greeted sea travelers and fishermen for over 200 years. The small boat fleet was working the point area and we could see pods of false albies busting on the surface. It was good sign to the end of good trip.

We arrived back at dock at about 5pm, tired, soar but happy. It had been a successful though slow trip. For us our count had been 4 hook ups, 1 yellow fin landed, one albacore dropped at boat side and two mystery fish.

I will definitely be back for another night out in the canyon!

• Bring lots of fresh water. Better to have too much than too little.
   
• Bring snack foods but it’s well worth buying your meals on board.
   
• Rail reservations are gold while bunk reservation are more first come/first taken. The mates will move someone if they are in your bunk but it’s worth getting there early to ensure you have the bunk spot you want.
   
• Similarly space inside the cabin is limited so arrive early to get somewhere close to put your tackle boxes, etc.
   
• Some will argue the need for high end hooks but I do feel Gamakatsu and Owner hooks are worth the extra cost. The Mustad hooks supplied on board are good as backups.
   
• There are no showers on board so expect to be ripe by the end of the trip!
   
• Boots are a must once fish start coming over the rail. Between the blood and water the deck gets wet fast.
   
• Stay away from greasy, spicy or unusual foods if you’re prone to sea sickness or haven’t been offshore before. Several anglers were afflicted with this after indulging in spicy foods and beer.

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