What are some techniques used to target blackfin off our coast? I have caught them using artificial minnow swim baits, like rapalas, but rarely catch them when I have my normal dolphin spread deployed, which consists largely of seawitches, islanders, and chugging/poppers all attached to ballyhoo.
In my experience, the trick with tuna (blackfin or yellowfin)is long (30’ direct rig), light (80lb fluro) leaders run well behind the boat. Seawitches and Ilanders over ballyhoo are good baits. Blue and white, blue and black, purple and white, purple and black and all white have been good colors for blackfin (and yellowfin way back when). They also love the deep bait on the planer rod.
They have great vision. must use 30’ florocarbon or set the spread with the baits just touching the water with the leaders in the air. On greenstick rigs tuna will jump out of the water to catch a bait in mid air.
Interesting topic. Would leaving the chin weight off a hoo making it skip more help get more strikes…?? I know many like cedar plugs.
watch the YouTube videos on greenstick tuna fishing. The baits are set so they spend more time out of the water than in it to mimic flying fish
Interesting topic. Would leaving the chin weight off a hoo making it skip more help get more strikes…?? I know many like cedar plugs.
Interesting topic. Would leaving the chin weight off a hoo making it skip more help get more strikes…?? I know many like cedar plugs.