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Team Wrecker hooked a 194.5 pound bigeye tuna, battling means ensuring bilge pumps are operational, securing all
both the fish and the conditions for nearly an hour. “It was gear to prevent injury or damage, and maintaining con-
like being in a washing machine out there,” said Captain stant situational awareness on deck.

Jeremy Blunt. “But the bite was red-hot. You just had to
hold on and keep lines tight.” One often-overlooked aspect is the physical toll rough
weather can take on the crew. Constant movement, wet
Their gamble paid off. That catch helped secure a top decks, and the strain of fighting large fish can lead to fa-

placement and over $198,475 in prize money. Similar sto- tigue or accidents. Captains must make sure their team is
ries echoed up and down the weigh-in docks—teams who hydrated, alert, and in good health before setting off.
endured the chop, adjusted their tactics, and came home
heavy. “A good crew is a prepared crew,” says Butler. “You have to

be able to work together and communicate clearly, espe-
Balancing Risk and Reward cially when everything’s moving.”
But fishing in rough seas is not without serious risks. The
Ocean City Tuna Tournament requires all participating Adaptation Is Key

vessels to be seaworthy and mandates strict safety regula-
tions. However, the responsibility ultimately lies with cap- Success in rough conditions often hinges on the ability to
tains and crews to make informed decisions about when to adapt quickly. Tuna spreads may need to be adjusted to
fish and when to stay docked. prevent tangling in heavy chop. Speeds must be modulat-

ed for safety and lure effectiveness. Even fishing strate-
“The ocean doesn’t care if you’re in a tournament,” says gy—such as targeting temperature breaks or using specific
Captain Randy Butler, who has been running offshore trolling patterns—may need to shift depending on how the
charters for over 20 years. “No fish is worth your life. You weather is affecting the fish.

need to know your boat, know your crew’s limits, and have
safety protocols drilled into muscle memory.” Electronics, too, play a vital role. Modern offshore boats
are equipped with sonar, GPS, radar, and satellite overlays
Preparation is everything when dealing with heavy seas. that can help identify productive water and steer around

That means checking and double-checking safety gear be- the worst weather. During the tournament, teams that lev-
fore leaving the marina: life jackets for all aboard, emer- eraged this technology were able to stay ahead of squalls
gency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), flares, and optimize their time in the strike zone.
first-aid kits, and satellite communication devices. It also

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