Fishing for small bluefin tuna

oldsalt · #1 01-31-2011, 02:38 PM

Looking for help rigging up my 1977 Seacraft 20' Master Angler for fishing small bluefin tuna with spinning gear. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

TunaMeltdown · #2 02-01-2011, 11:37 AM

So are you going to be just targeting them on spinning gear? The first thing I woud do is mount 2 additional rod holders in the bow of your boat. That is where 90% of your cast are going to be made from. I'm assuming that you will be looking for fish busting on the surface. Locating birds is a quick way to find fish. I know it may sound a little silly but if you have a t-top you may want to invest in a good radar system. Todays radars can be tuned to find even the smallest flock of birds from miles away. Sometimes finding fish that can't be seen by the naked eye is the key to success. As far as takle goes, do not skimp. In my neck of the woods, Cape Cod, we have seen some big fish mixed in with the little footballs. Personally I would not make a cast into a school of tuna without a Shimano Stella reel and a 7 foot long heavy spinning rod. No other spinning reel on the market is made to handle the abuse that a tuna can dish out like a stella.

Dan Stewart

oldsalt · #3 02-05-2011, 04:55 PM

Thanks for the info. Any suggestios on the model Stella. I took a quick look on line and they are PRICEY! How about specifics for type of rod? Also, any experience using an Arrigoni post? Are they worth the money? Do they stand up? I'll be fishing Cape Cod also, the Bayside. Do you fish in the Bay or off Chatham? Thanks and tight lines!!!

Basspond · #4 02-05-2011, 06:47 PM

Got big into the jigging stuff down here in NJ last season, had some really fun trips with BFT to 125~lbs. Nothing like what you guys have in Mass, but a ton of fun.

I just picked up a Saragosa for casting to fish this summer (we had a lot up on top last year offshore) and I am looking for rod recommendations. I didn't go with a Stella due to costs and also that most of the fish we've had down here are schoolies and mediums.

I have a Jigging Master PE5 and a Black Hole 250g as my jigging set up so I am familiar with all the latest stuff, just don't really want to break the bank on a casting set up I may only get to use a few times a year...

TunaMeltdown · #5 02-07-2011, 11:55 AM

I don't think you will need a post if you are using a spinning rod. We took fish up to 67 inches long using spinning rods with just a bucket harness and belt. Save your money on the fighting post and put that towards the stella. I would either get the Stella 18000SW or 20000SW. The saragosas will work on the smaller 50" fish but should you hook into a monster over 70" you will wish you had the stella. Keep in mind that the majority of the school bluefin that reside off Cape Cod each year have only been getting larger. Thats not to say the small footballs are not around but the majority of the fish we see will be comming back as small giants this season and will be 73" plus. That being said, I sold all my casting/spinning gear last fall and plan on only fishing with 50W's and 80W's. [image]

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oldsalt · #6 02-07-2011, 05:58 PM

Dan,
Thanks again for the good info. Also, Great pics!!!

TunaMeltdown · #7 02-07-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Dan,
Thanks again for the good info. Also, Great pics!!!

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask. I've fished for bluefin for about 10 years, first from a 20' SeaCraft, the past 3 years from a 25' SeaCraft and this year from my 1976 23' inboard SeaCraft. I will answer radio calls on channel 65. Just hail Tuna Meltdown.