Was talking to a buddy of mine who has fished the albie run off the NC coast around this time of year. He said they only have to go a few miles offshore to find the schools and they’re big fun on a 8-10 wt fly rod.
Anyone fished for them here? Seen them while returning from offshore?
Advice appreciated.
2016 Boston Whaler 230 Vantage w/300 Merc Verado
Saw them 2 weeks ago from 45ft deep out to 100ft. Must have seen 20 schools of them.
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Catching Chaos
quote:
Originally posted by cbeck6523Saw them 2 weeks ago from 45ft deep out to 100ft. Must have seen 20 schools of them.
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Catching Chaos
Thanks.
Were they pretty easy to spot?
Did they have birds on them like you see with schools of spanish? Were they just boiling the surface or totally coming out of the water?
Did you happen to notice if they were over live bottom or do you think they were just following schools of bait?
2016 Boston Whaler 230 Vantage w/300 Merc Verado
They were on both live bottom and on random schools of bait. Super easy to spot. Some of the schools had birds but not all. Most of the schools the fish were coming out of the water. Decent size ones too.
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Catching Chaos
quote:
Originally posted by cbeck6523They were on both live bottom and on random schools of bait. Super easy to spot. Some of the schools had birds but not all. Most of the schools the fish were coming out of the water. Decent size ones too.
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Catching Chaos
Good info, thanks.
I need to get the 10 wt ready and then just find some decent conditions to get out there.
2016 Boston Whaler 230 Vantage w/300 Merc Verado
I’ll let you throw my 10wt if I can catch a ride with you out there!
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
Sounds like we need a group trip together lol.
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Catching Chaos
nice thing about the NC albie run is that the fish are only a mile off the beach. here you need to run out almost to 90’, and it hit or miss.
Gene Morrison
Military Appreciation Day, Inc
Charleston Chapter Pres.
We saw a ton of them right outside the jetties a couple of weeks ago. Schools everywhere between there and the Commanche.
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Catching Chaos
Unfortunately, offshore conditions don’t look good as far out as SailFlow is showing (next weekend). How long will the Albies stick around of CHS?
2016 Boston Whaler 230 Vantage w/300 Merc Verado
So, they are called albies when you fly fish for them but bonita when caught trolling. Got it.
I think calling them “Bonita” probably started when people couldn’t tell the difference between False Albacore and Bonito.
False Albacore = Little Tunny =/= Bonito
I’ve heard Bonito are better eating fish than Little Tunny, but can’t confirm since I’ve never had Bonito.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
quote:If caught on fly, they're more edible.
Originally posted by FlatlanderSo, they are called albies when you fly fish for them but bonita when caught trolling. Got it.
2016 Boston Whaler 230 Vantage w/300 Merc Verado
Bonita are good eating. Albie’s are great crab bait.
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Catching Chaos
false albacore/little tunny/albie
bonito
Notice the difference in stripes and body. Also, the difference in the dorsal fin and tail. Albies are thicker. Also, if you catch a bonito and filet it, you will notice the flesh is much whiter than an albie.
They should be thick by now, anyone seeing any as shallow as 45’?
One BIG difference is the teeth. If you stick your finger in the fish’s mouth and it comes out bloddy and mangled, you caught a bonitO.
quote:
Originally posted by jazman54false albacore/little tunny/albie
bonito
Notice the difference in stripes and body. Also, the difference in the dorsal fin and tail. Albies are thicker. Also, if you catch a bonito and filet it, you will notice the flesh is much whiter than an albie.
Bonita have some nasty teeth. I have an old pic of me holding my 1st looking very worried about the teeth on a green fish lol
2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander
Catching Chaos