I’m looking to go out after some blackfin tuna as soon as I can get some decent weather and was wondering if they’re out there and if someone could point me in the right direction. I’ve picked then up trolling for dolphin before but never really targeted them. Just trying to figure out what I need to look for and if there are certain tactics that may work better than others. Thanks
Mako 224
High tide 1503
I am with you on that, probably going out in the next few days to try trolling and see what I can dig up. Either way a bad day fishing is better then a good day at work.
This is coming from a new guy so I am interested in what the pro’s have to say. I am going to try and so the same things I have done hunting for Salmon and other fish of the coast of Washington.
Fish over structure
Find bait and you will find fish, target the outside edge of birds feeding, never drive the boat right through a group of birds.
Tuna are supposed to be finicky so I was told to put your lines way out
I am going to try a multitude of lures at different depths.
Grady White 258 WA
“Just for the Halibut”
small baits fished farther back than you would for dolphin
those sea witches that Ed Keelin sells on the sponsor forum are perfect for blackfin. I’ve ordered a bunch from him over the years and there couldn’t be a nicer guy. He can help you out with colors, rigging, etc…
He flat wears out the tuna so I tend to listen when he talks but just my 2 cents
“mr keys”
Structure-Georgetown Hole and Southwest Banks, they are pretty much there year round.
Small sea witches over ballyhoo (blue and white, blue and pink, blue and black, purple and black, all white) on 30’ long direct rigs (80lb fluoro) run waaaaaaaaay back (almost 1/2 spool on the bridge poles or long riggers). You can also get them down deep on the planer rod.
Look for bait piled up on the sounder. Keep working the area, they will come up eventually.
If you see them busting bait, don’t drive through the school, it will send them down. Try to maneuver the boat to intersect the school so the baits pull in front of them.
Be aware of other boats fishing, since they will have long riggers way back as well. Give plenty of space so you don’t prop wrap one of their baits.
“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations,neither are you here to live up to mine” Peter Tosh - I Am That I Am
Like Chucky said. But if you are already going out there, why not pull some Wahoo lures closer to the boat? Had a friend pick up 3 hoo’s and 12 BFT’s last weekend down south a bit.
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
I’m going to assume little knowledge of targeting blackfin so please don’t take it the wrong way if this is too basic.
The best area to start is the SW banks east of charleston, the break there runs from the SW banks into the Georgetown hole. You can get lat lons for those pretty easy on line. If you don’t have them reply back and I’ll pull them off my machine and post them.
Fish from 165ft-300ft depths, find ledges and drop offs, there are many in this part of the ocean
For blackfins cedar plugs work well and don’t require re-rigging, usually. They have painted ones but I find the pre-rigged plain wood ones work best.
The other lure of choice is a sea witch ballyhoo skirt. Mustad 7766 hooks are the best for sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjI7sSAt4zw
Carolina Lures is the original one but most people like the Blue Water Candy now. Use some bright and some dark colors. Don’t get sucked in to one color they will bite different things depending on the day.
Rig them on 60lb to 100lb fluorocarbon. I use 80lb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHt7lyQOyeM
Tuna wahoo and dolphin will bite these things. Troll 5-7 knots.
Pull your outside lines way way back. pull everything else our of the white water in clean water.
A lil’ bubbler behind a set of boone birds is a great teaser.
This is standard fare for around here. I have not had as much luck with the islander lures for tuna over the years. They are expensive. you can order sea witches by the boat load online for cheap.
If you want to get super fancy go with wind on leaders using these swivels in place of the snap swivel.
Crimp the floro leader to the spro barrel swivel and then tie the rig and leader to the main line using this knot, you’ll have to pass the witch and leader through the loop to make this knot but after you do it a few times it’s pretty easy:
quote:
Originally posted by LowcountryboyStructure-Georgetown Hole and Southwest Banks, they are pretty much there year round.
Small sea witches over ballyhoo (blue and white, blue and pink, blue and black, purple and black, all white) on 30’ long direct rigs (80lb fluoro) run waaaaaaaaay back (almost 1/2 spool on the bridge poles or long riggers). You can also get them down deep on the planer rod.
Look for bait piled up on the sounder. Keep working the area, they will come up eventually.
If you see them busting bait, don’t drive through the school, it will send them down. Try to maneuver the boat to intersect the school so the baits pull in front of them.
Be aware of other boats fishing, since they will have long riggers way back as well. Give plenty of space so you don’t prop wrap one of their baits.
“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations,neither are you here to live up to mine” Peter Tosh - I Am That I Am
We couldn’t find the BF last week around Edisto Banks. Found the bonita and figured the BF would be mixed in but no dice.
2014 Key West 203DFS (FOR SALE) PM me
Thanks for the info guys, now I just need the weather to cooperate with me
Mako 224
High tide 1503
Well written advice SeaKoon
World Cat 266SC
Scout 15.5
Seth1304 which day are you looking at going?
I’m hoping for Monday.
Mako 224
High tide 1503
We are planning on Monday, we are headed out of edisto. VHF (Little Hooker).
Cool, we’ll be leaching out of edisto as well.
Mako 224
High tide 1503
Awesome! We will be leaving Dawhoo. I like the idea of having another boat out there. We will be putting in about 6.
Pm me
I’m hoping to leave the marina around 5, but we’ll see if I’m able to get the crew up and out the door that early.
Mako 224
High tide 1503
Lol I hear that
Nice to know someone else will be out there though. Are you planning to go for Wahoo or what?
Mako 224
High tide 1503
For hoo’s!
I haven’t looked at the weather that closely yet but Tuesday is a possibility for us. C-8 is my slip at Edisto Marina and would love to have some company out there. Good luck everyone.
Spartanburg/Edisto
Sea Hunt 27 “Saltwater Gospel”
Bomb Island 16 “Hookin’ Heels”