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Tuna fishing is not for the weak-hearted. It requires strength and stamina, and if you know some Bluefin Tuna fishing tips and secrets, you will go home with a trophy every time you head out to the waters. Get to know all about tuna fishing and then try it to see the difference.
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Bluefin Tuna Fishing Tips and Secrets
This sea creature can be hard to catch and give anglers a tough time. Either they swim a distance with the reel, or they begin to circle the boat, making it hard for the anglers to reel them in. However, the thrill makes these anglers go back to the waters for more adventures.
Some Facts About Bluefin Tuna
If anglers plan to catch Bluefin, they must know more about the species. Tuna fish is a large saltwater species that are found in the Atlantic and Pacific waters around America. This type of fish is most abundant in the Atlantic, which means the eastern coast around New York, New Jersey, and Maryland are the best spots.
You can also fish for this tuna on the western coast. The best time to catch tuna around America must be known to anglers so they can maximize their chances of catching a big fish. Tuna are warm-blooded and will migrate from warm waters to cool waters during summers.
Best Locations to Catch Bluefin Tuna
In America, the best places to go fishing for tuna are New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, and even Texas! The coast of Texas is the passage for migratory fish that travel from the warm waters in the south to the cool waters in the north. Here are some spots around America that will suit Bluefin tuna anglers:
- Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia in Canada.
- Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
- Florida,
- California.
Best Time to Catch Bluefin Tuna
The fishing season for this species begins in February and can last till November in all the fishing cities around America. In California, the best months to catch tuna are between May and October. On the east coast, the fishing season falls during June and November.
Apart from the fishing season, the time of the day also matters when you aim to catch Bluefin tuna. Anglers should head out to the water when the lights are dim. You can select the early hours of the day before sunrise, or you can go late at night after sunset.
These sea monsters are alert fish and will not come up to bite the bait if they see too many lights during the night or if they feel the presence of anglers on a boat. Another advantage of the low light will be that the fish will not be able to see the heavy tackle, which is an essential part of ensuring big catches.
The Best Gear for Big Catches
Bluefin tuna can weigh between 400 to 1200 pounds, which means that the fishing rod, reel, line, and hooks have to be sturdy and heavy-duty to ensure a secure catch. Moreover, the best gear for this species will be according to the method that anglers use to fish.
The rod that anglers require will have to be strong, and the reel must be compatible with the weight of the fish and the rod being used. Usually, metal reels are used due to their durability and toughness. A high visibility line that offers strength and can endure the weight of the fish will work best.
Hook size must match the kind of bait that anglers use. The most common hooks for tuna fishing are circle hooks. As with all other gear, hooks need to be strong as they have to bear the weight of the fish. Any strong hook that does not bend will work well with the best fishing rod, reel, and line.
The Best Method Tricks for Bluefin
Numerous fishing methods are famous for tuna. You can choose trolling, chunking, and kite fishing to catch big tuna in the sea. However, there are a few tricks with these methods that can help you become a trophy winner every time.
- Use live bait like squid, mackerel, skipjack, or herring to lure the fish. Live bait works best for tuna, and anglers can maximize their chances of catching a big one if they use the bait that will get the fish to come up and bite.
- Go offshore. The best spot to locate this big species is farther in the sea than on the shore.
- You can locate the right spot by observing the movement of the sea birds. Wherever there is bait fish, sea birds will be circling in the air. These are the spots where tuna will be looking for a quick bite too.
- Tuna has good eyes, which means that a visible line will keep them away. You can select a time when the light is low or use a line that does not alert this species.
- Fish closer to the surface in summers. This fish swims closer to the surface during the warm season and looks for bait fish aggressively. A mackerel hanging from the hook and moving near the surface will surely entice this species.
- Spread out the chunks or trolling lines in a vast area. Schools of bait fish are more attractive for this kind of predator species, and a large area with bait will surely get some big ones to come up and bite.
Tips to Catch Bluefin Tuna
When you head out to the water, try the following tips and secrets to attract the bigger tuna. As the boat reaches a good spot where tuna hits the trolling rod, the boat will slow down, and anglers lower more bait into the water to attract more fish.
- The first secret is to try and get the bait off and away from the boat quickly,
- Position your bait in the chum so that tuna feeds on a few fish before it gets hooked.
- When you feel the tuna bite, let the line peel off the reel to give the tuna enough time and space to resist.
- Since these fish are fierce fighters, let the tension in the line remain constant.
- When the tuna begins to circle under the boat, the line will become slack. This is the time to reel as fast as you can.
- Gaffing this kind of fish and getting it onto the boat sideways is easier for anglers.
Each of these tricks will ensure a quick catch, and you will be planning your next success! You can implement these tricks and witness some big results. However, one big trick for assuring big success is to know the rules and regulations of the particular fishing coast.
The Rules for Bluefin Tuna
This species in the Atlantic waters are harvested and shared by various countries. The International Committee for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas sets the quota and divides this fish species among all member countries. Anglers in America must know where and when they are allowed to fish for this species.
For this purpose, you must follow the timings and season opening and closing from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Once you have the full detail of allowed spots and even the permitted techniques and quantity of tuna to catch, you will be adding to your fishing adventures.
Conclusion
Tuna fish is considered to be the most adventurous and challenging fish to catch. If anglers follow the Bluefin tuna fishing tips and secrets, they will enjoy their experience and will get some big catches every time. However, it is also essential to have the right gear at the right time and place.