Fishing for Tuna
Ask five amateur anglers how to catch more tuna and you will get five different answers. Some may prove somewhat effective, while others are simply a waste of yout time. Here are a few tuna fishing techniques that are guaranteed to help you catch more tuna.
If you are fishing for tuna some techniques have been proven to work better than others. Tuna typically bite better in lower lighting. In my experience, fishing in the early morning, or the late afternoon, tends to work best. Some days they bite early, some days they bite later. It goes without saying that you should never leave fish to find fish. Even if you are only catching Mahi Mahi, do not leave the area until you have caught your fill, or are looking for other challenges.
Trolling for tuna works extremely well. Typically using multiple lures, spread at least twenty feet apart works well. I like fishing for tuna using a basic ‘W Pattern’, which is basically 2 lines attached long to each outrigger, 2 shorter lines held flat and one long line with a green machine lure straight down the middle. Keep the green machine well back of any other lures.
If you are fishing squid bars make sure they are diamond shaped. Diamond shaped squid bars look very similar to the formation that schools of bait fish utilize for protection. When all else fails, be on the lookout for dolphins, whales or sharks. Large schools of tuna can often be found following these natural hunters. Additionally, it is always a good idea to look for diving birds, as this is usually a sign of large schools of bait fish.
Employing these tuna fishing techniques will help you catch more tuna.
If you have ever spent time fishing for tuna, you know how much fun it can be. These magnificent fish are truly wonders to behold. Unfortunately, attracting and catching these beautiful game fish can sometimes be a challenge. Before you spend hundreds of dollars trolling around the ocean, consider these tuna fishing techniques that will have you catching more tuna and having more fun.
1. Control Your Speed – When fishing for tuna, troll at speeds of 5 to 8 miles per hour. Most professionals like to use a typical ‘W Pattern’ while trolling. This pattern consists of 2 long lines held out on each outrigger, 2 shorter lines held out flat and one deep line straight down the middle. Additionally, it is helpful to display a flashy presentation of multiple lures. The more they splash, sparkle and shine the better. What you want is to trick the tuna into thinking that it has stumbled across a panicked school of bait fish.
2. Pay Attention to Nature – Anytime that you see diving birds, pay special attention. Diving birds typically means that there are schools of bait fish nearby. Where there are bait fish, tuna tend to also be some place close. Additionally, large schools of tuna like to travel near pods of dolphins or sharks.
3. Pay Attention to the Season – During the warmer summer months, tuna love to hunt near the surface of the water. Feeding tuna are easy to spot on clear summer afternoons as the water looks like it is being destroyed from beneath. Additionally, tuna like to feed in low light conditions, such as the late afternoon. During the winter months, tuna tend to hunt in deeper waters and are much more difficult to find and catch.
These are but a few of my favorite tuna fishing techniques.
