Pro Tips from Captain Carlos: Summer is Blue Water Season!
Calling all blue water junkies! As May rolls around, there are a few pelagic species that steal the show when it comes to getting any offshore angler’s veins pumping. Yellowfin tuna are at the top of the list and commonly targeted this time of year via a plethora of tactics along Florida’s coasts and The Bahamas. These fish not only hit hard and rip serious drag, but also exhibit some of the most visually photogenic colors of any fish around.
As temperatures begin to climb, more Florida residents are making crossings over to The Bahamas in search of prized species like yellowfin tuna, black grouper and mutton snapper. If you’re looking to explore and fish offshore this spring, it’s important to select gear based on your target species as well as how hard you plan to push the limits. Yellowfin tuna, for example, are no joke. They’re fierce, powerful pelagics that are constantly on the move.
After nearly two decades of chasing this species of tuna, I’ve learned it’s always great to have a few heavier outfits on board for that opportunity when triple-digit fish are exploding on flyers in the distance. Be sure to have one rod rigged with a popper or stick bait in natural baitfish colors like a flying fish or sardine. The other rod should have a metal jig in the 100g-250g range ready to deploy. Having two rods ready to roll, one to stay near the surface and the other to go deep quickly before the fish sound further, will help you dial in quickly to which level of the water column the fish are active feeding in. This can often mean the difference between getting tight or skunked.
As a Florida native, I’ve been fortunate to experience some of the most insane saltwater fishing on Earth. Over the years, I’ve done many crossings with experienced anglers and crews that make any trip the entire experience. One tip: When connecting for a trip with guys you’ve never tuna fished with, it’s best to remain humble, listen and learn.
If you have a small terminal box loaded with your go-to 3/0-4/0 medium gauge wire circle hooks for chunking, 3x strong swivels for trolling or stick baits for casting to yellowfin, then be sure to bring them out when the timing is right. This may be just after losing a fish to a pulled hook or one of the hooks on another crew’s spinning outfit being straightened out or, worse yet, breaking off. The point is to be intentional and selective with your timing — don’t show any ego and go with the flow. Once a fish is lost, then offer a solution that has worked for you in the past to stay connected with yellowfin tuna. This will go a long way in building trust quickly with a new crew.
Working in the fishing industry, we are blessed to communicate with dozens of fellow anglers via phone, text or email, and this time of year, the information pipeline is flowing with insights on the most updated yellowfin bite. In hindsight, this is a blessing as it’s the perfect way to practice communicating with people more and more on what’s happening. Building up your network of fishing buddies is never a bad thing, however, do be selective and try to stick to fishing with crews as equally dedicated and committed as the standard you’re striving to achieve.
The most valuable time is “on the water tuna time” and figuring out what the fish are doing on any given day. Yes, there are certainly seasonal patterns and techniques that are tried and true, however, paying attention to the slightest of changes in those conditions will often make or break your level of angling success.
Backing down your tackle is sometimes the secret ingredient required to connect with ongoing success. On those hot, bluesky days with super-clean water, the yellowfin’s vision excels, so choosing 40 lb. instead of 60 lb. fluorocarbon may be the deciding factor in getting more consistent commitments from the fish. At times, I’ve gone down to 30 lb., however, be prepared to lose a significant amount of line if a big fish is eating at the boat.
Another factor to consider is the size of the fish you are pursuing. If the fish are smaller, in the 20-40 lb. range, then downsizing the circle hook size to a 2/0- 3/0 may be the smart move to consistently get them to eat and stay hooked up. Bigger fish typically stage up below the smaller feeding fish and when you begin to see them rise to eat, having another rod ready with a larger 3/0-4/0 size circle hook tied on is best. Yeah, I know it may sound a bit technical, but if you’re ready to get serious about consistently connecting with yellowfin tuna, then every scenario must be considered.
When you’re looking for a targeting species, it’s best to scope out the environment and conditions and adjust your plan of attack accordingly. This will come with time and simply being on the water — and remember, at the end of the day, you have to go to know.
Ripping drags and keep ’em tight! Capt. Carlos
Source: https://floridasportfishing.com/pro-tips-from-captain-carlos-summer-is-blue-water-season/
