Huge New Jersey Yellowfin Tuna.

We got our chunking mojo back!!
It's been a tough season so far. I have the least flexible work schedule you could possibly imagine. Any day I was off it was blowing like stink.
We finally got our window and were rewarded with stellar light tackle Northeast Yellowfin Tuna Fishing. 40 lb fluorocarbon leader. Sardines and live spot with a bonus jig fish (well kinda)
3 of these fish were absolute slobs!!! I'm guessing 85-95 lbs.
I'll go over our chunking and jigging setups in a separate video. Been meaning to do that for a while but been busy!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Great video. Very well done.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks so much Mike!

[@christophermorath6866]

Awesome video! Great to see you and Captain Zac having a banner trip. Once again your crew with all the carrying on had my father 93 yrs old .... 94 August 15th chuckling. He is most likely one of your oldest fans! Keep up the great work. Tight lines.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

That's so cool Christopher. You tell him thank you so much for watching!! I love it. What's his name???

[@christophermorath6866]

His name is Joseph, he is always ready to watch your videos. He likes you and your crew's energy and enthusiasm!

[@ciroromer7380]

Awesome Chris. Can’t beat the jig and chunk combo. Glad you hooked one on the jig! Way to go. Thx for the shout out!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

It's so fun. I got 3 on the next trip!!

[@billzbrozek9696]

Thanks for taking me out and putting me on the fish fellas!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Any time Billy. Love fishing with ya dude

[@outdooraddiction8401]

Saw you out there on the way in!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Bad ass. Thanks for watching

[@JoeBarbfvOceanDream]

We love watching your videos Chris! We’re hoping to catch tomorrow. Btw it was really nice meeting you and Alanna (sp?) at the Marina and thanks for the tour! Great Boat!! You and your family were very gracious. We felt like we’ve known you both for years. Super nice people. Hope to see you out there. Joe and Barb D. FV Finally

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thank you so much!!! It was awesome meeting you both as well!!! I hope you guys crushed em

[@JoeBarbfvOceanDream]

@@reaperfishingnj8623 Well, 1 each of 3 different tuna species. Long fin, blue and yellow fin. Fun! We went yesterday also, 7/28. 18 hours, nothing! Not even a knock down. Tried for marlin too. Rewatching some of your vids now, water temp was 82-83 so maybe that’s why. 🤨

[@kevinkelly4654]

Awesome video Chris! I have never seen them that big in the northeast. Nice work!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Me either dude. Huge fish

[@williamforlenza5995]

Nothing beats a daytime bite on the jig, chunk! Nice job guys! Definitely worth the run. Hope they stick around! Thanks for the video. Bill

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

You're welcome Bill. Thank you so much for watching

[@JDuca_JigsEmUp13]

The fish at 21 min was on its way to being a true Allison... once they hit 100 lbs those sickle fins really start extending... Congrats! That fish is a BEAST...

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

That's exactly what I said

[@robertanderson5544]

Great video brother! I haven't been off shore fishing since I was 13, it's been nearly 17 years since I fought a tuna. This makes me want to get back out there, maybe one day. Tight lines Chris!!!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks so much Robert. Get crackin!!

[@PhillMJones31]

Zack said it best “ everyone wants to catch a tuna” until they make you tap out and arms are falling off. Gotta love it ! Pretty work capts

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Ha!! Thanks for watching

[@WildAboutBeingOutdoors]

Nice work Capt. Always enjoy watching Chris !!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

thank you so much

[@codyfegely8414]

Awesome video as always, glad you got your mojo back.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

thanks as always Cody

[@charlesmorgan2309]

Great video Captain Chris !! Outstanding catch Reaper Team !!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks as always Charles

[@ronaldgaudet9290]

I always sit at the edge of my seat completley stoked watching you guys MAN !!! i love your videos

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

That's awesome Ronald. I can't thank you enough

[@SlipItIn.Fishing]

Saw the Reaper team in the fleet a few days ago from my friends yellow 46 ocean. Fishing was excellent for us from early morning till like 6am. Keep up the great videos.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks for watching! Fishing was good that day!

[@tblaze8167]

Another great video and trip. Thanks for sharing capt. Those were some real stud yellowfins!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks as always T Blaze

[@Riptide911]

Another great video Chris. Love the team work between you Zack and the rest of the crew looking like a well oiled machine. Congrats on a nice haul.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

thanks so much Andy !!

[@duainenye3599]

Thanks for the video

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

You're welcome Duaine. And thanks as always for watching

[@LanceMcCormick]

Heck of a job! Bloody decks baby! Watching your video with my grandson in Cherokee nation trout fishing this morning with our 20 limit! Guess who is begging me to take tuna fishing! Nice job on the video!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

that's great Lance!! Thanks as always for watching

[@reellame]

Billy Z!!!

[@Tony-xq4iu]

Awesome vid! Awesome fish! you guys had a fantastic day out. So cool to watch you guys bring in these monsters!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@josephiebba6178]

Awsome video chris we have a amazing bite just south of block island right know and this was a Awesome video the night before going out myself can’t wait to be on the grounds jigging it up like u guys keep the videos coming I love watching them before our own trips super blood pumping videos I can feel the excitement

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks so much for watching Joseph!!!

[@joedoug3647]

Another awesome video - Glad you guys found em!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks again!

[@trancemusic8805]

SICK ACTION BRO!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

thanks as always Trance

[@michaelmurdza8517]

They were some nice yellowfin!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

studs man.

[@MKOutdoors]

Unbelievable action and beautiful tuna! Congrats on a great trip guys!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks dude

[@MKOutdoors]

@@reaperfishingnj8623 👍👊

[@beebob1279]

Nice trip. Watched your video before heading out trout fishing in the Poconos

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

that's so cool Bob!! Thanks as always for watching

[@Brad-id7ge]

Good for you guys! Congrats. Just started watching your vids. Great stuff

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Welcome aboard!

[@coledunton8330]

Fax mad wind for tuna this year

[@flounderwetspot8524]

Holy smokes I been waiting for this ! I’m out of Barnegat light, would kill to come make a trip on the reaper. I’ll buy all the flats

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@mikelacey2064]

Awesome video

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

thanks Mike

[@mikelacey2064]

@@reaperfishingnj8623 my dad ,brother and myself watch all your videos big fans . We also have a house on beach cove we’re the pursuit with green soft top always yelling Chris

[@BigCha1976]

This Is Awesome!!!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

thanks so much Charlie!!

[@zacharypeters1981]

Glad to see tight lines!! going out thursday looking forward to good day! PipeDreamer time!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks so much for watching Zachary. Hope you slayed em

[@zacharypeters1981]

@@reaperfishingnj8623 hitting the Toms canyon Leaving squan at 12:30 tom night Gluck if you go out

[@charlieharavitch9472]

if you ever have an extra spot, I am 1 to 2 hours away from NJ shore whatever cost for me and I am available to go I will deferent will go love this video deferent going to subscribe

[@richardcatalinajr.369]

Damn, Chris, those are the largest yellowfin I've ever seen. Congrats, bro! Looks like the Jamaica prowling around in the background. Keep up the good work - heading out first week of August. Maybe we'll see Team Reaper.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

they were big suckers Richard. Thanks so much for watching. Yea that was them in the background

[@wattsup4800]

Chris great video. Went American Princess Saturday and no luck. Could you do a video on how you decide which spot to go to.

[@action-packedadventures4056]

Epic. Great video Chris! I went out to the canyon on July 15th and we caught 10 yellows, one being 80 pounds. PS sick thumbnail!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

That's awesome!!! Thanks so much....that was Z man's doing

[@ronaldgaudet9290]

that would be a dream come true

[@MsJon52]

good fishing trip, tuna are one of the greatest,

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks Jon

[@coledunton8330]

You should get a small tv for out side on the deck and connect your sonar so you don’t need to claim the ladder when Chunking and stuff

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Hey Cole. Check out our sea bass video. We connected the TV in the salon to our Simrad units. This way i can see FF/Radar/chart right from the cockpit.

[@thomasmcgee3286]

I'm very lucky can take pretty much any day off. Went out on thursday no tuna but a 38 lb. cobia . I'll try again on friday. Great vid Better fish!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Thanks as always for watching Thomas. it's so frustrating....i don't work a ton but when I'm on the schedule I gotta be there no matter what

[@drewpaterson2034]

Looks like a couple of Maxel reels. Love mine, powerhouses.

[@slmed87]

There great reels!! But the spinner is a quantum cabo 100ptse and conventionals are penn fathom 40s and one international 16vsx we use

[@Shhnee]

We went out yesterday and caught limits of bluefin tuna (2 per person) on the west coast. About 40 miles offshore, foamers everywhere. Everything on the popper or surface iron. One big boy (273lbs) was on a flying fish (dead on a kite)

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Now that is awesome!!! Maybe someday I'll come out there and do a tuna fishing/surfing trip

[@mikemelina7395]

That was beautiful. Those were some massive yellowfins. Would have liked to see that last one on the jig in the boat though.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

thanks so much for watching Mike! Yea I got to see him though

[@riverakers]

I caught a 85lb yellowfin at these young mens age.It kicked my butt .

[@nolanminor6761]

Tons of big yellowfin out of OBX this year, I bet you guys will get a lot more like those.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

i sure hope Nolan. Thanks for watching

[@jaredbeneduce5817]

I was out there at the ap with you guys fv waterproof

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Nice Jared! Good day that day

[@Mr05sti]

As a San Diego guy I'm really impressed 👌I

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

that's awesome man. Thank you so much for watching! I may plan a trip over there duel tuna fishing/surfing. What's the best time of year you think?

[@SneakyPeteNJ]

Time to make up for early season missed opportunities! Go get them! Stay safe

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

thanks as always for watching Pete!!

[@briansupermag3918]

Just crazy awesome. Capt Chris. If you dont mind i have heard of the term Allison but why is a big yf called that? Great job

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

I'm not sure Brian

[@christopherreilly4303]

Check out the new Magictail "Kill Shot" jigs with the sand eel color rubber tail. They're producing lots of tuna!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

I'll check em out

[@mikefrayman5224]

We always do well at the triple Rex but last year there was 1 million boats there

[@rg2pb2xs2]

What rod were you running on that spinning set up at the end with the big yellow?

[@Jessedog11]

I caught a 185 pound yellowfin tuna in 1994 on the Sea devil out of point pleasant. my first tuna-

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

now that's a slob!!

[@matthewmarchesi5417]

Awesome video. Quick question. Do you like your Maycraft 1800 skiff boat? And how does it ride? I’m interested in getting one

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Loaded question M atthew. I got a great deal on it. For how I use it it's been a good boat. I can fish it in 2 ft of water out to 15 miles. But if I wanna fish outside the inlet it's gotta be super flat or i'm soaked. Good: It's pretty fast Very simple bare bones fishing boat Big functional live well fwd Evinrude has been great but yours wouldn't come with one Cheap compared to most others same size Bad: Rides like crap. Any head or following sea and I'm soaked. It has a deep V hull but it's not a heavy boat by any stretch of the imagination so it just ends up digging the bow and sends spray everywhere Fit and finish is terrible. I'm not a glitz/glamour kinda guy but the hatch underneath console is not very dry and the lock mechanism always fails. The aft "dry" hatches are furthest from dry you could imagine. A lot of rust everywhere. If I were to buy another 18 ft boat and use it the way I do i'd buy this every time. But if this is your only boat then I'd look elsewhere or try and get a lightly used 21-23 CC

[@matthewmarchesi5417]

@@reaperfishingnj8623 Ok thank you. Love your videos and hope you survive all the rain in Brigantine today.

[@gcogs2296]

Heartbreaker on that last jigged fish. What set up were you using Chris? Looks like a Penn Carnage jigging rod? What reel was that?

[@slmed87]

Penn carnage 2 jigging rod and the reel is a Quantum 100ptse, great setup just tad bulky for all day jigging, Chris got a new Saragosa setup for last trip we ran and it’s amazing I’ll let him go over it I don’t know the exact specs

[@gcogs2296]

@@slmed87 Nice. I'm planning on getting a Gosa on a Terez 6' 9" Heavy or Extra Heavy. Do you think that would be enough for similar sized tunas?

[@slmed87]

I would lean towards the XH 65-200, seems similar to our carnage rods just longer, I have a trevala setup and we’ve had 80lb bluefin on it and seemed maxed out for that size fish but I believe terez class above that but I’m not super familiar with them

[@gcogs2296]

@@slmed87 thanks Zac, very helpful!

[@ryanmcadamd8659]

How do I book a trip out on the reaper? Me and a few coworkers were looking into a trip and my buddy told me he was recommended to go on “the reaper” and I was like “no way I follow him on KZbin I love his channel let’s do it!” Would love to hear back from you!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Hey Ryan I'm sorry but we aren't a charter.

[@nicholasspinosa3907]

Hey Cap, looks like that was a great trip. Any advice in how to plan a trip and how you figure out where to head out to? Is it mostly word of mouth from buddy boats? Just got my first boat this year running out of cape may inlet. Cheers and tight lines!

[@slmed87]

Chris can explain better but I’ll chime in, networking is huge but not a total necessity, early season is about warm water eddies from Gulf Stream moving into our canyons (believe he’s showed some sat shots in earlier vids) so good temp breaks and clean blue water (chlorophyll shots) are deciding factors. Once summers in swing the water generally becomes pretty uniformed and choosing canyon becomes little more difficult and that’s when networking helps. However a lot of the inshore bites get going from people finding the life between port and a canyon, generally if you get into 20-30 fathom line and you start seeing whales, porpoise , chick birds picking and heck you can even smell it sometimes STOP the boat and look around to see if you mark bait fish etc. if it looks good fish it. Now a days though it’s hard to keep a secret bite so keep your ears peeled

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Z man nailed it really. I taught him too well. Networking is HUGE!!! That being said I can't tell you how many times we caught fish all on our own either based on a hunch or just fishing "The Signs". Don't ever be afraid to stop on something that looks or smells fishy When planning a trip I will use water temp/chloro as well as my own intel and personal logs. Sometimes weather will dictate where you go also I'll try and do a vid on what we look for. But for sure always have Plan B or C

[@nicholasspinosa3907]

Thanks for getting back to me, you guys are the best. Had a buddy hook up to yellowfin between the east lump and the cigar yesterday, going to run out there tomorrow after the sw blow in the morning. Hopefully I can get hooked up.

[@snwbrdng3456]

I got my first boat. 23' regulator sea trial/survery on Tuesday. Gonna be doing some mid shore tuna fishing jersey/de region. Maybe run offshore on a perfect day as I get some experience. Any general recommendations on rod setups? Not necessarily asking for specific rods just like sizes n such. I plan to do everything going to avoid trolling whenever possible. Do you find you use more 30s or 50s? Ive only ever trolled for them on other peoples boats using their gear. I already ordered 1 popping setup, gonna order some jigging rods. Figuring out what to get for trolling setups.. Appreciate any info, long time inshore/kayak fisherman so trying to learn all the offshore stuff. Great video.

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Congrats Brennan!! The Shimano TLD30s will handle just about anything you'll encounter aside from maybe bigeyes and bluefin over 200 lbs. They can double as chunking setups. Or go with the TLD 50s. We run a mix of Shimano TLD 50s and Penn 50 wides. When I'm inshore i'll run a few 30s as well. Good luck with her!!

[@snwbrdng3456]

@@reaperfishingnj8623 Thanks man! I really appreciate the reply. I have a lot to learn. Cant wait to get the first one on the deck. Hope you have a good season.

[@matthewmarchesi5417]

Question from a other video you made. How do you catch spot? What kind of bait and traps you use and where do you catch them?

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

more often than not i buy them. when water is warm (late july thru early october) i can catch them off my dock in Brigantine or up on the flats in my lagoon (but not every year). seems to be cyclical. I usually use some clam chum and then fish bites and tiny sabiki rigs to catch them.

[@jfisher101]

were you using a penn carnage on that last fish? do you like it?

[@slmed87]

👍 we have 4 or 5 with our chunking setups we love them!!

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

as Capt Zac said......yes we love them!

[@jfisher101]

@@reaperfishingnj8623 do you know which weight class you use? also what reel are you pairing them with? Thanks!

[@louv4437]

How far out captain?

[@Brian-gg6my]

How much did that big yellowfin end up weighing?

[@slmed87]

We used online calculator 54” fork length and 35” diameter and said 98lbs but he was pretty fat!!

[@andrewknight4446]

What size and brand circles do you use for chunking?

[@slmed87]

Gamakatsu 4/0-5/0 4x strong

[@andrewknight4446]

@@slmed87 thank you!

[@r2videos965]

Can you give specs/details on spinning jigging set up for first fish?

[@slmed87]

Rod is Penn carnage 2 jigging rod 6’ heavy rated 80-200 ( we run this on our conventional penn fathom 40s as well) and the reel is Quantum Cabo 100ptse

[@r2videos965]

@@slmed87 awesome combo, thanks. Running 80 braid?

[@slmed87]

Yup, it’s great setup but if your gonna jig most of the day it’s little bulky, Chris got new saragosa setup that will be in next video and I’ll let him touch on that but it’s so light it’s gonna be great for all day thing

[@r2videos965]

@@slmed87 went out a couple weeks ago out of MI and rode out to fleet. Went 2/4 trolling (bluefin) on a nothing spot with no one around, but just getting into jigging. My setup is underpowered, hence the questions to make sure I'd be run off and time to upgrade... Nice videos and good trips

[@slmed87]

@@r2videos965 gotcha, we’re still learning the jigging game as well, my opinion is proper rod to lift a fish is key, line capacity and decent drag system, drag don’t have to be a lot we run 12-15lbs on all our chunking setups

[@fishydubsfishing6516]

Gotta watch them rubber hooks on ebay

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

ha!!

[@jellybean9396]

Can you do surf collaboration video with Ben gravy that would be cool

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

In my younger years I surfed pretty well. Not so much now unfortunately

[@brianbonner5297]

Why is your schedule no good?

[@reaperfishingnj8623]

Yo dude. Skolnick does a great job helping me out. It's tough fishing the Northeast. You gotta go when the weather allows. As you know our schedules aren't very flexible. That's my only gripe. Also.....we don't have many people at our shop so if I need a day off short term to fish a weather window I honestly pay them cash to work for me.