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Bigeye Tuna

LOCATIONS

BODIES OF WATER

  • Offshore, Ocean

  • Massachusetts:

    Georges Bank: Explore the waters of Georges Bank for bigeye tuna, particularly near underwater canyons, seamounts, and areas with strong currents.

    Cape Cod Bay: Target bigeye tuna in Cape Cod Bay, particularly near offshore banks, drop-offs, and areas with abundant baitfish.

  • Rhode Island:

    Block Island Sound: Focus on this area for bigeye tuna, particularly near underwater canyons, offshore reefs, and areas with strong tidal currents.

    Continental Shelf: Explore the edge of the continental shelf for bigeye tuna, particularly where deep water meets shallower areas.

  • Connecticut:

    Canyons: Target bigeye tuna in offshore canyons such as the Hudson Canyon and Atlantis Canyon, focusing on areas with deep water and strong currents.

    Coxes Ledge: Explore this offshore bank for bigeye tuna, particularly near areas with submerged structure, drop-offs, and underwater seamounts.

  • New York:

    Offshore Canyons: Explore the offshore canyons of the Atlantic Ocean for bigeye tuna, particularly near areas with deep water, temperature breaks, and strong currents.

    Hudson Canyon: Focus on this canyon for bigeye tuna, particularly during seasonal migrations and when baitfish are abundant.

  • New Jersey:

    Offshore Banks: Target bigeye tuna in offshore banks such as the Wilmington Canyon and Spencer Canyon, focusing on areas with deep water, underwater structure, and strong currents.

    Great Egg Inlet: Explore this inlet for bigeye tuna, particularly near areas with strong tidal currents, offshore reefs, and underwater seamounts.


STRUCTURE/HABITAT

  • They are typically found in warmer deeper waters, usually at depths greater than 600 feet.

  • They can also be found around underwater structures such as oil rigs and shipwrecks.

  • To locate bigeye tuna, fishermen often use techniques such as trolling with lures or baits, or searching for schools of tuna using sonar or fish finders.

  • Look for signs of feeding activity such as diving birds or surface agitation.

PATTERNS

SPRING

  •  


SUMMER

  • Bigeye tuna are most commonly found in the region during the summer and fall months

FALL

  •  Peak abundance typically occurs in late summer and early fall.

  • ocean temperatures and currents can also influence the timing and location of bigeye tuna populations.

WINTER

  • Migration patterns- They move northward to cooler waters during the warmer months and return to southern waters in the winter.

Bait

  • Popular choices include trolling lures such as cedar plugs, spreader bars, swimming plugs, and diving baits. It is also common to use live bait such as squid, mackerel, or small fish rigged on trolling rigs.


Techniques

Trolling

  • How: Typical trolling speed is 2-4 knots. Baits can be rigged to lures to attract fish. Baits:

  • Gear: Rods: 50-80 lb rated conventional trolling rods. Reels: 50 Wide. Line: 80lb-100lb. Lures: Feather lures, Squid bars, Hoochies.

Chunking/Live Bait

  • How: Locate tuna, look for birds, bait, or use electronics. Set up the boat so you are drifting with the wind or current and toss live bait behind boat. Keep reel in freespool or low gear, when you get a bite set the drag.

  • Gear: 50-80 lb class conventional, heavy spinning rods. Reels: 50 Wide conventional reel, 6000-8000 spinning reels. Leader: 40lb-60lb florocarbon Hooks: 6/0-10/0 circle hooks.

Jigging/Casting

  • How: Verticle jigging with heavy jigs. Cast and retireving on or near the surface.

  • Gear: Rods: Heavy. Reels: Large Conventional, 8000+ spinning. Lures: Heavy metal jigs, diamond Jigs, subsurface twitch baits, poppers

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