TUNA Frustration

[Team Rock On]

Try using small metal with small hooks. I've been using 4/0 Gam. live bait hooks. Last Sat. went 0 for 30 using 50lb fc, on Sun. dropped it down to 20 lb and went 2-6. Fish had 1 1/2" peanut bunker and 1" shrimp in it's stomach. Hooked one last night and it had 2
5" spike mackeral in it's stomach. Most of the fish are around 30 lbs so heavy gear isn't needed.

[devils fiddle]

silver crippled herring, cast and let sink. fish on. at least thats what i heard works from some guys on the net.

[staltershoal]

how big do they have to be to keep them?

[Van]

Thanks guys, I did try all the metal I had, I also got info from a friend that Yo-zuri hydros have worked.

I had storms in the box, but that is one thing i did not try.

Next time I'm gonna bring everything, and I mean everything,,,

,,,EVEN WOOD,,,

[Van]

Originally Posted by staltershoal

how big do they have to be to keep them?

27" min...

[maddog2020]

Small Tsunami shads - BLUE. 3" size - MOTOR them as fast as you can reel. Remeber the bait fish is fleeing for it's life.

Small Yo-zuri Hydrometals jigs - change them to a stouter single hook.

Maria jigs - forget the name exactly - clear plastic over some foiled pattern - not many places carry them - sell out fast!

Try going down to thinner/lighter poundage Fluoro leader as well.

Hooking up & landing the fish are two different issues. Get them on first THEN worry about boating it.

If you decide to route of surf rod - be sure it is a blended graphite or better fiberglas - leave the high modulus at home.

Tuna make all other species seem like wussies fighting. Big adenaline rush - BIG fun! Good luck, Van!

[Mr. Sandman]

Van,

they can be picky and sometimes I think they just like to jump around sometimes and are not feeding, but all of a sudden the bite will come on. Hang around the area.

I prefer tiny metal with small but really strong hooks. Hydrometals, braid jigs, etc all work, but keep it light and I would fish them with 20# spinners and avoid the heavy stuff unless the fish are big, then troll. Use a floro leader. Avoid big stuff, I did ***much*** better with a small jig. Also the fish I caught were ***stuffed*** with tiny baby squid about 3/4" long.

Another thing I do is you can troll a couple of yozuri deep divers on while you are patrolling the area. Many times you will pick up the lone soldier on these and they tend to be bigger. I like a braid line with a long floro leader for this set up.

catchem up!

[Van]

With everything you guys suggest, i was pretty close to right on. I know they were feeding cause I could see the baits in the area and the birds were getting what they could.

The fish were 20-30 pound class, awsome sight coming clear out of the water like a freakin missle. I will diversify my gear and hope my next time out they are there as thick. Small jigs with smaller hooks, maybe some teasers, and def try storms.

SM: I did troll as well, but i think i had better shots gunning over to them, the guys in the bigger boats were just watching me. I did not see any trollers or chummers hook up.
Wish i had something to show them !!!!