The run of huge blue fin tuna taken from the west coast of Ireland has continued, this time with a 708lb beauty.
Martin O’Malley was fishing from John Brittain’s Cliftden based charter boat when the fish took a down rigged artificial squid and tore off, taking some 500 yards on its first run.
The fish was one of a group located by the skipper in rough conditions, with fish estimated at well over 1000lb showing, some jumping clear of the water.
The massive fish took some one hour and 20 minutes to bring to the boat on an 80lb class BlueWaters rod and a Shimano Tiargra TI80W reel. The fish measured nine feet in length. Martin was on a trip organised through www.seafishingireland.com .
Like the other big tuna taken from the coast this year, the tuna will be sold to market. Let’s just hope the success of the rod and line anglers does not lead to the fish being wiped out by commercial fishermen.