Any news on Blackfin Tuna, SE FLA, end of April, 2006 ?

[RiskTaker]

Fishin for some Tuna news....

Last week Capt. Mike Genoun happened to do a very nice presentation, at the PBOA local fishing club meeting, on a good setup to focus on the larger BlackFin Tunas close to the SE Florida coast.

Since we do not have a lot of activity of Yellow fin Tuna action on the western side of the Gulfstream and/or until you get to the eastern side of the Bahamas even, I am impressed if we can enjoy some BlkFT action.

From Capt. Mike's report it seems like May is a prime month in the calendar for BlkFT off of South Florida.

For me these have only been hit and miss and many are just bullet size.

I think I would like to dedicate a local fish trip or two to focus just on the BFT. Of course, I am dreaming of the Bahamas endeavours for some YFT and perhaps the golden opportunity for a big BluFT to pass on over the Bahama bank.

Please report if you have news of something going on.

[Relentless33]

I witnessed my first marlin tailing on the surface 26 miles offshore a week ago with blackfins all around it...

[RiskTaker]

Thanks for that report Relentless.

Just a few things have been going on the aside, so we tally a few thoughts here:

Hey Shark Tagger:

Those were my exact plans for Sat. Night/Sunday; however, it seems like the weather will be a bit snotty with brisk winds out of the NE. I checked NOAA, Fowey, and BuoyWeather and they are all in synchronicity: snotty seas.

This style of fishing is new to me so please advise if you know any better.

We are going to try to load up on some live baits: pichard, threadfins, goggle eyes by starting very early in the morning in close, like a few hours after midnight. Setup before the sun colors the east horizon and start chumming a few livies at paced intervals while anchored past the 3rd reef, say 130 ft. (Sorry Capt. Mark, no place for your services, once we have the livies in the well.)

12-15 ft. - 40 lb. flourocarbon leader with 2/0 and 4/0 strong live bait hooks. Bigger hooks for the bigger baits like the googgle eyes.

All of my trolling/drifting rods are 50 wides loaded with 130 Gold JBHC, so I am a little bit concerned if this opaque/visible line will be an issue for these fine visioned Tuners. (Please comment if you think that will blow my cover.) If so, plan B longer mono wind-on and then a flouro albright connection to live bait hook. I use a wind-on swivel between the Braid and mono/flouro.

I'll bridle the live baits sailfish style, using the super strong rubber bands, but in front since we will be static in the current.

That's my plan and I'm sticking to it, unless I hear some better suggestions. I just wish that it can be this weekend. I cannot afford to lose weekends in May. Because there is Yellowfin Tuners and the chance for a Blue Fin Tuna (Missiles) this time of year on the other side of the stream. I hope to have a crack at them this year.

P.S. - I think tuna tastes better than swordfish.

RT

For what my 2 cents are worth, your plan sounds good to me. I would avoid the high vis. I would also keep working one bait with no weight. Let it back about 50 yards and reel it back in real slow. Keep doing this all day. I would also try this with a chunk. Throw other chunks with your bait to disguise it. Any fish that's sitting back and doesn't want to come near the boat might pick one of these baits up. Lastly, make a daisy chain with three live baits (be careful with this one). Put three dropper loops on 60 lb. flouro with live bait hooks and then attach your live baits and work this bait with no lead in the manner stated above. Look forward to hearing how you did. Catch 'em up!

[Relentless33]

I'm heading over to Port Lucaya around June 3 - June 10 with my dad and another group of people on the boat. Hopefully we can find some nice yellowfin's. I checked the tournament from a few days ago and not even half the boats had fish and the winner had two fish on the first day totaling around 73 pounds.

[Relentless33]

Heres the results for day 1 and day 2

http://www.portlucaya.com/tuna2006.htm