In Search of Bluefin

The short. Caught 5 bonitas, and 5 AJS on jig, and saw scattered gannets picking around scattered chopper bluefish from 5mi North of R7 east 16 miles then North 5mi, then back west to 10mi NE of R7. Then 3 mi troll down Tybee Trough to Bettsy Ross, (No Bonitas there.) Water temps unknown as my equipment doesn’t work. But it felt warm to the touch in 130ft. And there was much sargasso weed. I saw not another boat on silky seas.

Just returned from Hatteras targeting BFT by way of Jig and Pop. They are not there. I was blown out of my Monday trip, which saved some money, and led to searching here instead. There is a bit of talk right now about the patterns of these amazing fish because they are not where they should be. They apparently go on a pattern for sometimes 10 consecutive years, and then other times just 2 or 3 years. Sometimes they are found in cold water, sub 60, as cold as 45, 5 miles from the beach at Hatteras and more often outside the temperature break around 70 degrees. Sometimes, they are found here in front of Hilton Head in cold water near the Betsy Ross and Eagles Nest.

If they are not where they should be, perhaps they could show up here. Watch for whirling gannets. It’s worth a look.

John Tolerton

Japan. The bluefin are in Japan.

In Japan their found around the -50degree break

Thanks for going out and looking. We found similar conditions last monday 2/17 at the Deli and R8. Let’s keep searching. Not many boats are really out there looking around right now.

19ft. Carolina Skiff
w/115hp Yamaha 4stroke
27ft. Contender
w/twin 225hp Yamaha 4stroke

FYI, bluefins caught yesterday at the point, off of Oregon Inlet. First real sighting of fish this year for NC

Capt. Gasper Marino
843.514.4117
http://wadmacallit.com/
58’ B&B