trolling for tuna - How to Catch Tuna

Mastering the Art of Catching Tuna through Trolling

By admin | March 27, 2024

Trolling for tuna is not merely a fishing technique; it’s an intricate dance between angler and fish,

requiring skill, patience, and a deep understanding of the ocean’s dynamics. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the nuances of trolling for tuna and explore key strategies to optimize your success on the water.

Understanding Tuna Behavior:

To effectively target tuna, it’s crucial to comprehend their behavior patterns. Tuna are highly migratory species, constantly on the move in search of food and optimal environmental conditions. They traverse vast expanses of ocean, from coastal waters to the open sea, following prey abundance and favorable temperature gradients.

Tuna are voracious predators, known for their affinity for baitfish, squid, and other marine organisms. They’re attracted to areas rich in food sources, such as upwellings, temperature breaks, and underwater structures. By studying these habitat features and their relationship to tuna behavior, anglers can better predict where to find these prized fish.

Trolling for Tuna Techniques:

Trolling is a versatile fishing method that allows anglers to cover large areas of water while presenting baits or lures at various depths and distances from the boat. Here are some essential tips to enhance your tuna trolling success:

Select the Right Lures: Tuna can be selective feeders, so having a diverse selection of lures is essential. Cedar plugs, skirted trolling lures, and feather jigs are popular choices. Experiment with different colors, sizes, and actions to determine what triggers the most strikes. More about Tuna Lures
Adjust Your Speed: Tuna often have a preferred feeding speed, so be prepared to adjust your trolling speed accordingly. Start at a moderate pace and vary your speed until you find what works best on any given day. In Depth guide to tuna trolling
Use Teasers: Incorporating teasers into your trolling spread can attract curious tuna and increase your chances of hooking into fish. Teasers create additional visual stimulation, mimicking a school of baitfish and enticing predators to strike. More info about tuna teasers and spreader bars.
Vary Your Depths: Tuna can be found at different depths depending on factors such as water temperature and the availability of prey. Experiment with trolling at various depths using planers, diving plugs, or downriggers to target fish holding at different levels in the water column.
Pay Attention to Signs: Keep an eye out for signs of tuna activity, such as diving birds, surface splashes, or feeding frenzies. These indicators can lead you to productive fishing areas where tuna are actively feeding.

Tuna Trolling Gear and Equipment:

When gearing up for tuna trolling, it’s essential to invest in high-quality equipment that can withstand the rigors of offshore fishing. Start with a sturdy trolling rod designed specifically for battling powerful tuna species. Look for rods with a strong backbone and enough flexibility to handle the unpredictable movements of a hooked fish. Pair your rod with a reliable trolling reel equipped with a smooth drag system capable of applying consistent pressure during long fights.

In terms of terminal tackle, opt for heavy-duty monofilament or braided fishing line with a high tensile strength to withstand the sharp teeth and powerful runs of tuna. Consider using a top-quality leader material to prevent fish from breaking off near the boat. When it comes to lures, stock your tackle box with a variety of options to cover different trolling scenarios and mimic various baitfish species. Additionally, don’t forget essential accessories such as fighting belts, gaffs, and fish handling gloves to ensure a safe and successful fishing experience.

Penn Tuna Fishing Rod & Reel Combo

Braided Fishing Line

Saltwater Trolling Lure for Tuna

By honing your trolling skills and understanding the intricacies of tuna behavior, you can greatly increase your chances of success on the water. Remember to remain adaptable and willing to adjust your tactics based on changing conditions and fish behavior. With dedication and perseverance, you’ll be well-equipped to master the art of catching tuna through trolling. Happy fishing!

Check out other recommended products for Tuna Fishing

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on How To Catch Tuna.

Catching Tuna – Trolling for Tuna Tips and Techniques

By admin | October 29, 2017

Trolling is a method of fishing where one or more fishing lines, baited with lures or bait fish, are drawn through the water behind a moving boat.

Searching for tuna can be an exciting adventure. It can also be extremely frustrating unless you know what you are looking for. In the summer months you will have an easier time finding schools of tuna. Typically, they will stay near the surface of the water while hunting for schools of bait fish. In the winter months, tuna tend to hunt deeper and rarely venture up to the surface. Additionally, tuna fishing is usually better in low light conditions, such as those in the late afternoon.

Birds And Tuna Fishing

When fishing for tuna always be on the lookout for birds. When fish are near the surface, they are visible, especially in a feeding frenzy. Spot the tuna schools by looking into the sky and seeing where birds are flocking, they are usually above the schools picking off baitfish also. When the water’s surface is breaking with activity, tuna are feeding. Get your boat as close to the school troll your lines through it.

Tuna tend to travel near pods of dolphins or sharks. If you see either birds, dolphins or sharks try and determine if any bait fish are in the area.

Trolling for Tuna Techniques

Cedar Plugs Tuna Fishing Lures

Blue Fly Fish Saltwater Trolling Fishing Lures

Saltwater Trolling Lure for Tuna

Typically, anglers prefer to troll using a “W Pattern”. This simple pattern consists of 2 long lines attached to each outrigger, 2 lines held relatively flat and out to the side and one line that goes straight down the middle just below the surface. The goal is to present a bold presentation of varying lures. Try and create the illusion of panic stricken schools of bait fish. Best color lures for tuna? Green lures are particularly alluring to yellow fin tuna for some reason.

Try trolling at slow speeds (5-9 mph) using either live bait or artificial lures, such as strip baits, large spoons, skirted lures, and plugs. Don’t worry – the tuna are more than fast enough to keep up with the boat. When you troll, you should let out a quarter of your line behind the boat; a hundred yards or more is excellent.

When tuna hit, they hit hard, usually hooking themselves with no help from you, and yanking the line off the reel at a rapid rate. If the line becomes slack, the fish is probably swimming toward the boat; reel in the slack rapidly, and make sure the hook is set. Always keep the line tight. A truly large fish might give you the fight of your life, battling for as long as several hours before it wins – by snapping the line or leader – or you do, by getting it up to the boat.

Tuna Trolling Lures

Pick a lure. Most tuna lures have a Kona head, but they come in many shapes, sizes and colors and under many names. The Kona head creates an ideal bubble trail and surface action for attracting tuna. Generally the larger the lure, the larger the fish you will catch, but of course there are always exceptions to the rules. You never know what size and type of fish will hit your next lure.

For smaller tuna species, Albacore and Striped, 6inch lures of any type in green/yellow, blue/silver and red/white I have found to be most successful.
The next step up would include 8-10inch lures aimed at catching Bluefin, Yellowfin and Albacore Tuna. One popular Yellowfin lure that catches well is the Pakula Lumo Small Spocket. White Bluefin are readily caught on pink, brown and purple colour combination’s. If you are after large Yellowfin Tuna or Striped Marlin in particular I have caught well on darker lures in combination’s of blue, black and purple, but they tend to go for pink as well.

Trolling Spreader Bars for Tuna is another technique. Please view full page here.

As with all fish there are no hard and fast rules. If you are not succeeding, change your lure position, colour or alter your speed until you find the right mix. Undoubtedly you will discover the joys of game fishing.

Rigged Trolling Flexi Spreader Bar Topwater