Chasing Tuna: A Wild Day On The South Coast, NSW

James Hall’s Epic Solo Bluefin Battle

At Desolve, we take pride in our gear standing up to the wildest adventures, and there's no better proof than hearing it straight from our ambassadors. We're thrilled to share an incredible story from James (Jimmy) Hall, a passionate angler from Ulladulla, NSW, and a proud Desolve brand ambassador. In his recap, Jimmy recounts a crazy day fishing off the coast of Kiama. Equipped with his trusty Fathom Jacket, Jimmy faced the elements and came out with a tale for the ages. Buckle up and enjoy Jimmy's wild ride on the hunt for tuna!  

Jimmy stoked with his 2 Bluefins, wearing the Fathom Jacket, Insignia Hoodie & Audax Cap.

A New Resolution: Chasing the Bite in Kiama

After being stubborn last year and only fishing locally 5-6 times trying for tuna without success, I made a resolution. This year, I’ll drive to where the bite is happening. So, I did. Today, it was Kiama.

The Hunt Begins

After 8 hours of driving around, trolling, and searching the shelf, it was getting dark. I needed to head back in soon as I was alone in my small open tinnie. I decided to try closer to shore on my way in and drove over to the spot where I found bait earlier that morning.

Suddenly, I saw about 20 boats in the distance all clustered together. I knew there were probably fish there. A few seconds later, two bluefin jumped right in front of my boat, and a second after that, bang! All three of my rods started screaming—now the chaos starts!

 Jimmy in sheer excitement, fighting the battle.

The Battle 

I strapped myself into the rod that was screaming the most. It didn’t stop for a long time, whereas the others did. I thought this one was a proper solid one, so I’ll give it a crack while the others dangle in the rod holders. This fish just kept peeling line and going deeper and deeper. I was really trying to get some turns in, but a lot of the time at the start, I barely could.

As it was getting darker and I still had an hour’s drive in, I needed to try and get this fish in. I decided to flick my drag to sunset and give it absolute hell. If I pull hooks, I pull hooks. It was still incredibly hard and slow getting this fish up, so I started calling on the radio to any boats who could help me.

The Call for Help

I asked if they could:

1. Wind the other fish in if they wanted.
2. Mainly help me lift this first big fish into the boat as I knew I wouldn’t be able to.

Another 20 or 30 minutes passed. I’d been fighting this fish for maybe 45 minutes to an hour, and it was almost in. It was now circling my boat about 2 meters below me but still not letting me pull it up close enough to gaff. I waited through about 10 circles and finally got it close enough. I landed the gaff, and it started kicking while I was still strapped in, holding onto the gaff. I reached and grabbed my other gaff, securing it with both.

Jono and Jimmy heaving in the first Bluefin Tuna.

The Final Stretch

Realising I definitely couldn’t get this fish in alone, I made another radio call. Lucky for me, Jono from another boat said they were on their way. The boys pulled up next to me, and Jono jumped on board. A couple of tries later, we pulled this first one into the boat. We were screaming, cheering, hugging, and high-fiving all around. Then we realised we still had another fish on in the rod holder—the third one had come off.

I started fighting the second fish while Jono bled the first one. This one came in super easy, around 15 minutes maybe. It was still super solid but not like that first one. I said to Jono, we either release it, or he takes it. So, we pulled it in, and I gave the first big one to Jono and the boys. The first tuna measured 181 cm short length and was estimated at around 100 kg.

Jimmy in triumph amongst the mayhem.

Heading Back

By the time we gutted and iced them, it was night. Jono jumped back on his boat, which was so sketchy out there. I started my one-hour punch to the ramp in darkness. I strapped my EPIRB to me, used the radio to contact marine rescue, and asked them to call Lacey to let her know I was okay and heading in, as I was many hours late and far out to sea.

A Partner's Worry

My partner Lacey was already really worried as I was many hours late and she was trying to call me. Obviously, I was out of reception. She went on my computer and looked at “find my iPhone” and could see I was still around 40km out at sea.

Marine rescue and the police called her as I logged my trip with them in the morning, asking if she’d heard anything. She said no and then got really worried.

When I radioed Marine Rescue to ask them to call Lacey, I was still 20km out in pitch black driving home in my 14ft open boat solo. I told them to tell her, I’m really sorry but I couldn’t let these fish go! I’m safe and I’ll be on land soon.

Jimmy home safe and sound with his trophy catch!

Wrapping Up the Adventure

Finally reached the boat ramp, drove straight to the bottle shop to pick up heaps more ice, threw it all in on the fish in the esky bag, and stopped to have a beer and take it all in. Then I drove an hour and a half back to Ulladulla from Kiama. Had a few more beers and definitely called it a day. Another massive thanks to Jono and his crew for helping me get my fish on board. A day I’ll remember for a bloody long time. Wild first day on the tuna for me. Still frothing!

James Hall:

Instagram: @jimmys_fishin_vault