GLOUCESTER, Massachusetts — Forty-five boats went out in the cold Atlantic waters outside Gloucester Harbor in the wee hours Friday morning on the hunt for some big tuna, but only one crew returned that evening with a catch for the day.
Captain Alex Petrucci, skipper of the Duck Soup out of Point Judith, Rhode Island, hauled in a respectable 324-pound tuna. And that wrapped up the first day of fishing in the fourth annual Bluefin Blowout giant tuna tournament hosted by Cape Ann’s Marina and Resort.
As it turned out, that was the only tuna caught during both days of the tournament, automatically making Petrucci the winner. There were several close calls, however, said Drew Hale and Rob Bouley, who founded the event in 2012; six fish escaped from crews’ reels during Friday’s fishing — two right at the boat.
It’s no easy feat to catch a giant tuna, they said — Atlantic bluefin typically range in size from 250 to 450 pounds and it takes an hour or two on average to reel one in. Bluefin can also travel up to 40 mph in the water or about 35 knots.
Hale said one fish that escaped Friday fought the crew for four hours before it got loose. That’s on top of dealing with choppy seas, pouring rain and any other acts of nature.
This isn’t sport fishing, at least in the traditional sense, explained Bouley, recalling times when he’s had his head slammed against the boat trying to navigate waves and hold onto a big tuna.
The tournament, which has become the premier bluefin tuna competition in New England, draws some of the best commercial, charter and recreational fishermen from the region, said Hale — from Point Judith all the way up to Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
“These guys are the best,” he said. But even the best fishermen can’t control two very important things: the weather and the fish.
Boats, manned with a three- to four-person crew, sailed out anywhere from 15 to 50 miles off shore Friday and Saturday. Competitors were allowed to leave the dock at 12:01 a.m. each day and usually began fishing around 4 or 4:30 a.m., Bouley said.
On Saturday, the last few boats trickled in around 5 p.m. after another long and discouraging day at sea. Bouley said it’s a common experience for many a fisherman, but the allure still remains.
“It’s sort of inexplicable, he’s just addicted to it,” he said.
Captains, while still at sea, would call in or text tournament staff members with updates if they got a bite on their lines.
Bouley, while speaking to a reporter, periodically glanced at his cellphone, reading the latest updates. It looked like one crew had a bite, but then several minutes later it was bad news. “No, they lost it,” he said, ruefully shaking his head.
Last year’s tournament saw a few more fish, including a 914-pounder hooked by Captain Dave Carraro of “Wicked Tuna” fame. Hale explained that’s big, even for a giant tuna.
This year’s tournament, which also featured numerous local and industry vendors, a wine fest, brew fest, silent auctions and two concerts, brought out large crowds each day to the marina. The chief sponsor of the event was the Lyon Waugh Auto Group, along with Milton-Cat boat engines, WEEI, WAAF, Bud Light, Maui Jim, Three Lantern Marine & Fishing, Bass Pro Shops and others.
All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Boston Bruins Foundation, which in turn will give the money to the Gloucester Education Foundation for its local programs. Bouley anticipated raising up to $10,000 from the tournament.
Along with the coveted Bluefin Blowout Trophy, Petrucci won $17,000 in cash prize money — although he missed out on the $12,000 jackpot since he didn’t place a bid on his boat, unlike many of his competitors. He also won a two-year lease from Lyon Waugh on a new Audi A3, which was prominently displayed for tournament-goers to admire.
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