Bluefin Tuna
LOCATIONS
BODIES OF WATER
Bluefin tuna frequent the offshore waters along the Northeast coast of the United States.
These highly migratory giants are prized by anglers for their thrilling fights and exceptional table fare. While they are often associated with warmer waters, bluefin tuna can be found in certain areas of the Northeast, particularly during seasonal migrations.
STRUCTURE/HABITAT
Bluefin Tuna are pelagic fish that can be found in both the warm surface waters and the cold deep waters.
They are often found around natural structures such as underwater canyons, seamounts and temperature breaks.
They are also known to congregate around man-made structures such as oil rigs, buoys, and floating debris.
PATTERNS
SPRING
During the spring, Bluefin Tuna are typically found in the Gulf of Mexico as they migrate northwards from their wintering grounds in the south.
They can be caught by trolling with artificial lures, casting jigs, and also by live baiting.
SUMMER
During the summer, Bluefin Tuna are typically considered the prime season for catching them in the North East of the US as the waters are at their warmest and the fish are abundant.
They can be caught by trolling with artificial lures, casting jigs, and also by live baiting.
FALL
During the fall, Bluefin Tuna can still be caught in the North East of the US waters as they migrate southwards.
As the waters start to cool down, Bluefin Tuna may be found in deeper waters.
They can be caught by trolling with artificial lures, casting jigs, and also by live baiting.
WINTER
During the winter, Bluefin Tuna are typically not as abundant in the North East of the US, but they can still be caught in the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
They can be caught by trolling with artificial lures, casting jigs, and also by live baiting.
Bait
Popular choices include trolling lures such as marlin plugs, rigged ballyhoo, skirted trolling lures, and spreader bars. It is also common to use live bait such as bonito, mackerel, or small tuna rigged on trolling rigs
Techniques
Trolling
How: Troll offshore with baits or lures at speeds of 5-8 knots. Look for temperature breaks, weed lines, or current edges to find Bluefin Tuna.
Gear: Rods: Heavy-duty stand-up trolling rods, with a 80-130 lb class rating. Reels: Large offshore trolling reels with a high line capacity. Lures/Baits: Large trolling lures, rigged ballyhoo, mullet, or squid.
Live Baiting
How: Locate Bluefin Tuna using binoculars, look for bird activity, floating debris, or other signs of life. Anchor or drift, and chum the water with live baitfish like sardines, herring, or mackerel. Keep the baitfish in a pen or live well until needed. Baits: Live baitfish. Gear: Stand-up heavy-duty rods with a 60-80 lb class rating, matched with large conventional reels with high line capacity.
Chunking
How: Find deep structure or drop-offs, and anchor or drift. Chum the water with cut bait, like sardines, herring, or mackerel, and fish larger chunks of bait on the bottom. Baits: Cut baitfish like sardines, herring, or squid.
Gear: Heavy-duty conventional rods, with a 80-130 lb class rating. Large conventional reels with a high line capacity.
Jigging/Casting
How: Locate Bluefin Tuna near drop-offs or structure, and cast or vertical jig lures to mimic baitfish movement. Fish in depths of 50-300 feet.
Gear: Heavy-duty spinning or conventional rods with a 80-130 lb class rating. Large conventional reels or spinning reels with a high line capacity. Leaders: 100-200 lb test fluorocarbon. Lures: Large metal jigs, butterfly jigs, or poppers.
Drifting
How: Drift with live baitfish, cut bait or jigs. Look for birds or fish feeding on the surface or use electronics to locate schools of Bluefin Tuna. Baits: Live baitfish, cut baitfish, or jigs.
Gear: Heavy-duty spinning or conventional rods with a 60-80 lb class rating. Large conventional reels or spinning reels with a high line capacity.
Fly Fishing
How: Locate Bluefin Tuna in open water, and cast a variety of large flies into the feeding zone. Use a fast retrieve to mimic fleeing baitfish. Gear: 12-14 weight fly rods. Large capacity fly reels with a strong drag system. Line: Intermediate or sinking fly line depending on the depth of the water. Leaders: 12-16 ft 80-100 lb test fluorocarbon leaders. Flies: Large, brightly colored flies that mimic baitfish.