SMALL BLUEFIN TUNA:
"A NEW CHALLENGE TO COASTAL ANGLERS"

During the past few years local fishermen have noted a subtle change in local water currents and bait distribution.  Offshore species of fish have become abundant such as giant bluefin tuna and shark populations.  So it would stand to reason that greater numbers of small bluefin tuna (SBFT) populations would also increase.  With this increase in numbers anglers have shown more interest in catching this species of fish.  With the increased numbers of small bluefin tuna in the area, fishermen have been taking advantage of the new challenges presented by this addition to the list of sought after fish.

The first challenge presented to local fishermen is for them to decide just how they will attempt to entice these fighting power houses.  They may be small in size but are surely brutal in power.  The first small bluefin tuna that I landed was caught on a 16 lb. Class trolling combination and fought like no other fish that I had ever landed.  The fight of the fish was incredible but what surprised me most was just how hard the fish fought after it was out of the water and I was removing the hook.  The fish reminded me of a propeller as it fought for release.  Once the released fish hit the water, it was gone in a streak of bubbles and speed.

One of the first things that you should take into consider should be the type of gear you will feel most comfortable using.  This might be spinning or conventional.  I favor have one combination of each style at my disposal.  I use the conventional combination when I am on a searching mission.  This combination works best when you are trolling different baits to cover a greater amount of real estate.  The next choice of equipment for the arsenal should be a spinning combination.  This choice works best when you find a school of fish and they are exploding thru surface baits or you have marked a school of tuns swimming just under the surface.

Both choices should be able to handle line weights of between thirty and fifty pound test line.  My choice is 16 pound test as I feel the lighter lines are responsible for more strikes and I like the additional challenge of the fight on lite line.  This is a matter of personal preference.  You also want to make sure that your choice of combinations are able to handle a sufficient amount of line.  My choice is at least three hundred yards of line.  I have had battles with fish that have easily spooled that much line.

Without incurring the additional expense of a custom made rod an off the self rod will fit the bill just fine.  One of my choices would be a Penn Senator rod designed to handle thirty to fifty pound test line.  Make sure that the rod that you choose has a gimbal but so that it can be trolled and taken out of the rod holder and placed into a fighting belt.  The belt takes a lot of pressure off the body and provides for a more comfortable fight.

My choice for a spinning rod would be a rod that is capable of handling thirty to fifty pound test line.  A length of 6 ½ or 7 foot is the best length.  This will give you the necessary backbone in the rod as well as being easily handled in the cockpit of the boat.  Again, make sure that there is a gimble butt for more comfortable fights with a fish.  It can also be placed out of the way in the rod holder during traveling between locations.

Line choices can be mind boggling.  Choose a line that you are comfortable with.  I like a line that is soft on my spinning combination.  It reacts much better when casting to a working school of fish.  A stiffer line is suitable for trolling.  Whatever line you choose, my opinion is to stay away from the wildly colored lines.  Stick to a fluorocarbon hybrid or a clear line.  Stay away from lines that contain fluoresents.  These lines may be easier for you to see but they are also easier for the fish.  Leaders should be fluorocarbon.

Baits are always a subject that will be the topic for discussion until the end of time.  Artificial versus fresh, plastic versus metal, etc., etc.  There are many baits on the market that will attract hungry and curious fish.  Some of the successful baits that have worked well over the years have been the green machine, psycobeads, cedar plugs, Kastmasters and mega baits.  Of course fresh baits are always in vogue.

Fresh baits will always be satisfactory.  Herring, mackerel, squid and pogies are among the most popular.  Often times something as simple as the way in which you cut your bait can and does make a difference in the rate of success in attracting small bluefins.  Some fishermen will use the whole fish, some will chunk it and others will cut it in strips or present fillets.  I like to troll fillets or cast them with metal.  You want to keep the size and presentation of your bait similar to the bait that is swimming in the area.  This is the reason for my choice of fillets.  Often times I will opt for the skin of the fillet depending on the thickness of the fillet.  Presenting the skin keeps the bait at the proper size as well as keeping it flexible enough to move freely in a swimming motion.

I have one comment about using artificial baits like the green machine and the psychobeads.  They can be purchased rigged or unrigged.  I prefer to have them unrigged so that I can rig it myself.  Often, the beads that are used can be changed slightly for a different effect.  This change can make a difference depending on conditions that are present like bright or, overcast, water clarity and so forth.

If you decide to use fresh bait make sure that you handle it properly and with care.  Keep your bait on ice.  Just a few minutes of your bait sitting in the hot sun can effect it.  Whether you use fresh bait or artificials, remember that the scent of gas or oil can negatively effect you bait.  Store your baits away from fuel.

Setting your baits and positioning your baits in the wash during trolling can make a difference.  I find that a standard three or five bait set up works best.  I like four baits placed in the first two wakes behind the boat with one bait on a flat line mid stern.  Sometimes I will set the two outside baits without hooks so that when a fish strikes it will get made when it misses the bait and will return with a more ferocious strike.  Placing large popping teasers on the outside rods can trigger a reactive strike.

Along the North Shore we have seen some of the warmest water temperatures we are likely to see.  These warmer waters have drawn many more fish than we normally see. I can not remember a year that we have seen the numbers of small bluefin tuna that we have seen this year.  As a result more and more fishermen have felt compelled to give this fishery a try.  Schools of tuna have been located at Stellwagen, Jefferies and east of Gloucester.  Many of the schools that have been observed off Gloucester have been observed well within the range of a small boat.  One of the areas that have had  plenty of tuna traffic has been the area about ten miles east of Thatcher's Island. 

Once you have caught your fish most fishermen like to "bleed" their catch.  They feel that bleeding the fish will drain the blood from the fish and not allow the blood to pool and leave a strong, harsh flavor.  Other fishermen like to fill the gutted body with ice right after bleeding the fish.  The more careful you are in handling the fish the better the quality of the flesh will be.

If you get the chance to go fishing for school bkuefin tuna. Make sure you take advantage of the opportunity. There is a great high and feeling of satisfaction when you have beaten such a majestic fish with a remarkable reputation as a robust fighter.  Tight lines!

 

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