I was fishing yesterday (Sunday) afternoon on the beach just off the East Wall in Point Judith. Lots of 5-8 pound bluefish chasing tons of peanut bunker.

There was a guy next to me who was fishing with 50-pound mono, attached to an 18-inch wire leader, which was connected to a chrome Creek Chubb popper, He pulled a really nice false albacore out of the frenzy, I would say it was 11-12 pounds.

Can false albacore be readily caught on surface poppers? I've never tried it, but after witnessing what I saw, I might give it a try.

Also, was it ilegal for him to keep the fish? Do you need the HMS permit to keep a fish caught from shore?

Yes, they will hit poppers.

They'll also hit green and white plastic Boone needlefish if you work them right and sand eels are around.

I've also taken them on swimming plugs.

Trick is to hit them at first light.

False albacore and bonito are regulated in most jurisdictions, but no special tuna permit is needed.

Last week I caught a few on zara spooks. Fun way to fish for them, but talk about a tired wrist.

Sunday morning from the beach in Rhody my dad caught a false albacore on a homemade 2.25 oz blue and white popper, with 60 pound hard mono leader, short time after sun came up, crystal clear water.....

First Albie I ever caught was on a hot pink Hab's needle - the 3+ ounce "Canal Special"... I wasn't expecting an Albie

I think it's more being in the right place at the right time.

HAve caught plenty on poppers, last was Sunday AM on a small yo-zuri popper.

dont those taste really bad??

They like white gibbs polaris poppers too

I didnt think they were edible either..
:yak:

albies can be very strong in flavor if not dressed properly... I wouldn't eat them... very bloody and very dark meat... bonita on the other hand... :)

1 thing i like to do for catching bonita and albies is to convery my polaris poppers by taking the hooks off them and attaching a 2-3' piece of 40# fluro and tying one of my wierd flies on a 6/0 or 7/0 gammie circle... kinda like this...

Albies aren't bad raw. Bleed 'em and gut 'em right away, I eat 'em. But not cooked.

They will WACK Poppers and Needlefish..................

so basically decent sushi? bad cooked :) good 2 know maybe ill keep one if i get another chance at em

I've even seen albies taken on a chunk of squid fished on the bottom---wire leader and 30# running line :o

My late friend Huff got a bonito in the Canal on a Reverse Atom.

A few here and there on Ballistic Missles, Ratteltraps and things like that.

Most times they're fussy but often they'll surprise you by what they'll hit.

Chunk of pogie on the bottom; 45lb black wire leader while chunking bluefish...

I got one on a big Deadly #^&#^&#^&#^& on 25 lb. test as they blitzed right at me. Usually finicky but sometimes not so smart.

"I had a 12 pound Albie off'a Montauk once, Had to put 3 barrels in him!"

Dave S -

Good one. We named our first dog Quint.

Got two Albies on a Surf Howdy yesterday and I am leaving in a few minutes to take the skiff out and try again.:happy:

Hopefully run in to some tomorrow morning at first light in RI. Can you tell what the busting school is from a distance? If I see blues and hopefully there are some albies mixed in, should I through subsurface lures like tins instead to try and get one?

I have never tried to chace schools of Albies or Bonito but would love to have a chance at seeing some and casting for a few. Is this prime time for them in RI if i wanted to attemp to pursue some from shore? Anyone care to share some general locations as to what is the most consitent place to find some? Not looking for specifics though guys. Albies on topwater sounds soooo insane!!:D

I have been reading reports all week that 1 hour or so before and after first light and also during the evening hours there are pretty consistent blitzes happening everyday along the Rhody shore. Any breachway and beach has the oppurtunity for a blitzs to occur.

Pick up a copy of "The Fisherman" magazine and look up RI in the Reports section. It gives a few spots for anyone to try.