Gin Pole

[Eric McNiff]

Has anyone ever installed a gin pole on their 23' CC? I have seen it put in at the stern corner of the boat. The fish is then pulled in from the opposite side (so the boat does not flip) and onto the deck. However, I would rather get the fish (tuna) into the bow of the boat (better ride) if possible, which would mean putting the gin pole on the bow. Of course, the pole will be removeable - it will fit into a base plate on the deck and have another bracket with hole that will attach it to the gunwall of the boat.

Any suggestions / insight?

[Jon G]

Eric, the only one I have seen on the Cape has the pole mounted right up against the dog house on a 23'. There a a couple of 23's that I know go after giants with no gin pole but I have never asked how they get one in to the boat, a pole sure would make it easier.

[hammer slammer]

What you want is a tuna chute. Somebody used to make them i belive on the cape but any how it hasa bracket mounted on the gunnel that a 4'metal u shaped shute sits in and you winch them up over the gunnel until it slides in the boat. A gin pole is a bad idea in my mind becouse the center of gravity is to high? I have pulled 800 pounders over the rail using a gin pole on a fortier but it SUCKS.That boat has 2' more of beam and 3000lbs more and i am nervous doing it.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

THE DECK OF A SEACRAFT IS END CUT BALSA WOOD YOU WOULD PROBABLY DESTROY THE BOAT USING IT. PLUS THE ABOVE POSTS STATING THE STABILITY FACTOR. I WOULD USE LIGHTER LINE FOR SMALLER FISH. WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOUNDS MORE LIKE HARD WORK MORE THE A FUN DAY ON THE WATER.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Hooper]

I bought the Melissa Ann from a guy who routinely fished the BB bouy in it and he took 14 giants in it over 6 years.

What he did was he bought a block and tockle from Fisherman's Outfitters in G-Town. Using the aluminum T Top he and a partner would stand on the opposite side of the fish and get his head up juts high enough over the gunwale, tie it off, then swing its' ass end over the side.

Before lowering it into the bag he would bleed it out and wash the fish then lower it into a tuna bag with ice. The fish rode on the port side on the way in. There was a bit of a list to the boat, but tabs helped.

-Hooper

[Ed]

I've heard of the tuna chutes as well. The one I saw was plastic or fiberglass (or maybe painted metal) and was thrown over the port side gunnel and was mounted into one or two rod holders. The guy would then stand on the starboard side with a come-along mounted in a rodholder and winch the fish over the side.

Personally, I'd be nervous about rolling the boat over (especially if it were an 800lb'er), but he swore it worked well.

[Eric McNiff]

Thanks very much for the suggestions all....I will look into the tuna chute idea.....I have seen it done with a gin pole in the stern, but you're right, you have to be careful....can't do it on a rough day. Maybe a short removable gin pole on one side and a chute on the other would work well. Just enough to get the head up and over. Thanks again....

[Eric McNiff]

One more thing....I did a search for "tuna chute" on the internet with no luck...if anyone knows where I might be able to buy one, please let me know....I would rather not have to make one - I have too much to on the boat as is!!

[hammer slammer]

The was somebody who advertised in the general catagory tuna assoc. newsletter years ago, but i dont know what his name was. You could try calling there to see if they could look it up for you I believe ther office is on newbury street in boston. Another person who might know is Johnny White of fishermans Outfitter, or possible Ron Menard of Cape cod marine. If you are going to fish the bank i wouldnt worry so much (You can always drag them home) but you dont want to try that late in the fall off of chatham. If you get in a bind let me know becouse my buddy has one you could check out to copy.

[Eric McNiff]

Thanks Hammer - I will check with John and Ron...if that fails, I will check back with you - might be worth a trip to see how it is done before I start making my own.