New York/New Jersey Offshore
Bluefin action inshore is still at the top of many lists but guys are having to run a little further south or out to the canyons. The offshore crowd is heading to the southern canyons in search of bluefin tuna. Trolling or chunking butter fish are having the best success with fish in the 30 to 50 pound range being the norm. Some reports of white marlin have also filtered into the Mike at Reel Life Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant.
Team Tackle Direct led by the Gill boys is really making an impact on the local scene as well as the international internet market. Their new store in Egg Harbor Township carries some of the finest gear available and their staff is about as well versed on local fishing conditions as any in the area. This week when I contacted the shop I was specifically looking for offshore information and I was not disappointed. For those who could get out, the bite has been somewhat inconsistent. Water gradients have been shifting and the fish have been moving with it. The Hot Dog had some fish in the 50-pound-class mostly yellowfin and there were reports of white marlin and mahi around the Baltimore Canyon. Trolling and or chunking has been the ticket. With all the spot around, make sure you load up before you head out. Nothing better for chunking tuna than fresh spot.
There were reports of a marlin and bigeye bite at Washington Canyon but I could not confirm this as fact. Matt at Jim’s Bait and Tackle did tell me that the crew of the Goldfish and a good day at the Hotdog, boating 12 nice yellowfin tuna.
Chris at Harry’s Army Navy in Robbinsville reports the troll bite for yellowfin offshore is super strong right now at the canyons (we won’t talk about the yellowfin tuna infestation at the way southern lumps… it’s too far away and it will just get you all steamed up!). Tuna on the troll is the way to go out there right now.
New England Offshore
Some bluefin have finally made it to Stellwagen according to Jim at Nelsons, but there can’t be too many of them as Tom at Red Top reported slow fishing on the Bank. The bluefin bite east of Chatham has been steady. Captain Eric Stewart at the Hook Up in Orleans has been catching on a daily basis just about, and many other boats fishing east of Crab Ledge have been hooking up regularly as well. Trolling has been the ticket for the most part, but live bluefish are catching fish as well.
Offshore of Rhode Island, there have been blue sharks aplenty with the occasional mako showing up. Captain Thom at Quaker Lane said bluefin are being taken by trolling and casting, though most reports suggested the tuna bite has been slow. One boat managed a 40-pound bluefin by trolling on their way in from Cox’s Ledge, but other than that fish, there were no other signs of tuna. “There’s still time,” is what most Captains are saying, so hopefully the tuna will turn on before that time runs out.
Some boats are venturing to the canyons as well. There was a good yellowfin bite in West Atlantis and between West Atlantis and the Fish Tails with 25- to 60-pound tuna. Rick also heard of a 150-pound bigeye tuna, which was released. Most bigeyes that get released are done so unintentionally, a long way from the boat.