OIFC Bluefin Tuna Experience
As seen on TV, experience Giant Bluefin Tuna fishing like the Wicked Tuna crews. Capt. Brant McMullan and Capt. Austin Aycock carry their boats up to Nags Head, NC every February to participate in the commercial fishing season for Giant Bluefin Tuna. Their goal is land and sell Giant Bluefin Tuna for financial gain. Your opportunity is to experience the fishery from beginning to end; including do battle with the Bluefin on rod and reel.
Capt. Austin Aycock operates the 31' Contender, Catch All (max 2 per group)
Cost = Fuel burned for the day + $100 to cover various expenses associated with the day (avg fuel burn is roughly $350) AND if a commercially legal Bluefin Tuna is landed, it will belong to the captain. ** If any other species such as Yellowfin Tuna are caught, they belong to you **
Email Capt. Austin Aycock or call/text 910-232-7604 to reserve a Bluefin trip.
BOOKED DAYS TO DATE:
2/8: Wright
Capt. Brant McMullan operates the 37' Freeman, OIFC 1 (max 4 per group)
Cost = Fuel burned for the day + $400 to cover various expenses associated with the day (avg fuel burn is roughly $350) AND if a commercially legal Bluefin Tuna is landed, it will belong to the captain. ** If any other species such as Yellowfin Tuna are caught, they belong to you **
Email Capt. Brant McMullan or call/text 910-367-2945 to reserve a Bluefin trip.
BOOKED DAYS TO DATE:
2/9: Krofchick
2/11-13: Armstrong
2/15-16: Harmon
2/21-23: Rogers
2/24-25: OIFC TV shoot
3/5-7: Carter
3/8-10: Rogers
HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION: Advance reservations are recommended to insure a date, however, trips can be arranged with just a couple days notice so long as available. The recommended way to book is to reserve a 3-day window. The captains will hold these 3 days, and then you will be committed to fish a minimum of 2 of those days, weather permitting. The weather is the big obstacle, so having 3 days to work with increases the odds of getting out at least one day. However, if you want to book 1 day and hope it works out, that is fine too.
ACCOMODATIONS: The Comfort Inn Nags Head is close to the boat and recommended
CLOTHING: Dress warm and dry. It can be pretty brutal out there. You want to be completely water/wind proof on your outter layer, shoes too.
WEATHER CONSIDERATION: As a general rule we fish in 15-20kt or less winds. Winds of 20-25kts will depend on direction. Winds 25kts+ the boats will likely be at the dock.
DAILY ITINERARY: Leave the dock at roughly 5am. Run to the fishing grounds and have lines in by 7am. From here it can go very fast or drag on and on. If the fish are there and your number is called, you may be back to the dock by 10am *** Once a Giant Bluefin is killed, fishing is done. You cannot legally continue to fish once you have boated a Giant Tuna *** If you miss the bite or fish get away....fishing can go on all day long and into the late evening. It is not uncommon to get home after dark.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BLUEFIN? : You will go directly to the offloading docks where the Bluefin will be prepped and weighed to be sent to Japan for auction.
