Over the years there have been countless occasions when prospective anglers have approached me at the dock in Ocean City, MD for tips as to where and how to catch bluefin tuna. Tournament time aside I typically share the information hoping that anglers will return the favor in the future. For the first time in print I am sharing many of details that are critical to one's success when fishing for bluefin tuna.
WHERE: There is no single answer to this question because from week to week and certainly season to season in Ocean City, MD the answer changes. For the most part the bluefin migrate through the same Ocean City, MD areas each year. How long they stay is anyone's guess and depends primarily on the amount of baitfish and sand eels present. Off the coast of Ocean City the fish typically hang near the bottom beneath the thermocline on structured mounds like the hambone, chicken bone and hot dog lumps unless enticed upwards by bait.
TACKLE: We recommend 80 wide 2 speed reels with 100 pound test monofilament line or a combimation of monofilament line and braided backing. We recommend that you set the drag at strike to 24 pounds using a drag scale. Also take a piece of tape and mark where the drag meets 14 pounds. We recommend a trolling rod at least 7 feet in length which ensures it will extend over the transom when placed in the fighting chair gimbal. We recommend using oversized guides, such as Aftco big foot guides, to ensure wind on swivels pass easily through the guides and stripper. We recommend 200 pound wind on Spro swivels not the heavy duty version but the regular barrel swivel as the heavy duty version has been known to cut leaders. We recommend a 20 foot 130 pound flurocarbon leader. If your not inclined to pony up the extra dollars for the flourocarbon then our second choice is momoi white diamond unless of course your looking to set a IGFA line class record. When assembling the leader do not tie knots but rather crimp all connections. On the terminal side create 2 offshore loops, one on the main line and one on the leader. Cinch the offshore loops tight enough such that the loop is no larger than the diameter of your wind on swivel. Use 2 crimps on each side leaving 2 inches in between crimps to ensure the line can bend across the roller guides. On the hook end also use a least 1 crimp with chafing gear and a 3/4 ounce chin weight. We recommend a 10/0 Oner Jobu hook as they won't rust,bend or break. As for the lure we use 2oz tuna busters made by carolina lures. Our favorite is blue and white with a white head although pink and white and pink and blue also work well. For bait we use a horse or super horse ballythoo that have been brined, limbered, and had their eyeballs removed. We use malin rigging wire to secure the hook and close the ballyhoo's mouth preventing wash outs.
HOW: Now your ready to deploy and here's where it get's interesting. You want to send your baits back a minimum of 300 yards. Yes that's right 300 yards not feet. We call this WWB way way back fishing and this is the secret to catching bluefin as over the years the bluefin tuna in Ocean City, MD have become boat shy. Don't even waste time deploying flat lines and short rigger lines. 2 outside rigger lines at 300 yards, a shotgun at 240 yards and subsurface planner rod also around 300 yards will be plenty. When you put the rod in the holder do not set it at strike but rather set it to14 pounds using the pre-marked tape. Why? Because given the decreased diameter of the spool the drag at 300 yards behind your boat is closer to 36 lbs than 24. Only after the fish has completed its first run should you place the lever at strike. The appropriate boat speed is anywhere between 4.5 and 5.5 knots depending on sea conditions, current and boat direction. Once the fish is close to the boat ease off on the drag slightly. When gaffing the fish be sure to gaff it in the head. Also be sure to ice and bleed any fish you plan to keep. For more information please check out our fishing reports and web site links below.
Tight Lines,
Captain Greg
Ocean City Fishing Report
Reel Addiction Charters LLC
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