| Bluefin tuna are one of the greatest | | | | carefullly, preferably using the Jinkai |
| challenges to anglers off the coast of New | | | | crimping tool listed on this page.They also |
| England, and Massachusetts continues to be a | | | | use these crimps to attach a small wind on |
| center of activity for giant bluefin | | | | swivel. This way, the leader can be wound |
| tuna.Most tuna are caught chunking or | | | | all the way on the spool, protecting the |
| trolling. I will describe the techniques | | | | flurocarbon during storage, ensuring clean |
| used by top crews to catch these | | | | decks, and allowing the angler to reel the |
| giants.Chunking for Bluefin involves | | | | fish as close as needed to harpoon it.All |
| archoring on a good fishing spot known to | | | | crews attach the sinkers and ballons using |
| hold bluefin. Once anchored, top crews | | | | rubber bands. Sinker weight is selcted based |
| deploy chunks, stick baits and live baits | | | | on the spped of the current and the desired |
| suspended on ballons at different depths. | | | | depth that you are trying to fish.Most crews |
| Most captains have their crew position the | | | | that troll bluefin fish spreader bars from |
| baits where at the depth they mark tuna fish | | | | their outriggers at about 3-4 knots. Most |
| on their fish finder.Many top captains use | | | | crews fish three to four spreader bars, two |
| Gamahastu Live Bait hooks. In determining | | | | from the outriggers and one or two flat |
| the hook size, it is important to match the | | | | lines. Outriggers are rigged with roller |
| hook to the size bait that you are using. | | | | trollers so that the line can be reeled |
| You shouldn't use a hook that is too large, | | | | through the clip to tease the fish into |
| because it will detract from the presentation | | | | striking again if he misses the first time. |
| of the bait.All top crews use fluorocaron | | | | The clip is set tight so that the outrigger |
| leader. Leader varies from 150-lb to 220lb, | | | | sets the hook on the fish.Fisherman use |
| with many crews fishing light gear (150-180) | | | | different spreader bar sizes and colors in |
| to get bites when they are hard to come by. | | | | their trolling spread based on experience and |
| Most crews start off with a long leader (say | | | | conditions. Snap swivels are used so that |
| 15 feet), so they can cut back and recimpt | | | | rigs can be swapped out easily. Thimbles and |
| the hook on if their leader gets nicked up by | | | | heavy chafe gear protect the mono where it |
| dogfish or other pests.Many crews using light | | | | connects to the hook and swivel. Most crews |
| fluorocarbon also use H crimps instead of G | | | | use the Mustad or VMC southern tuna hook |
| crimps for their 150 or 180 fluoro. The | | | | style on their trolling rigs. |
| lower profile H crimp must be done | | | | |