Offshore New York/New Jersey

The tuna bite is wide open, came the report from Meltzer’s, and boats are returning to port with big numbers of tuna in the box. The longfin are hitting on the troll reported the Reel Seat crew, and chunks are beginning to produce yellowfin at night. The bigeye bite is slowing, but the swordfish bite is hot. Many boats fishing through the night are tying into multiple swordfish.

There have even been some tuna popping up mid-range, with yellowfin poking into the waters between Hudson Canyon and the Chicken Canyon. Bluefin have been caught recently, but until the waters cool targeting bluefin will be a little spotty.

According to Tom Wolfe at Jersey Tackle in Brick, the Hudson finally opened up with yellowfin this week. Several boats came in Monday with yellowfin and longfin… all they wanted. Toms and Wilmington have been hot for bigeye and yellowfin too, but this is the first time the yellowfin have made a showing in the Hudson.

Bluefin still being caught on the mid-shore grounds, with tons of bonito in close at just 3 to 4 miles off the shoreline. Bluefin can be found along the 20 and 30 lines with a few wahoo taken recently as well. Wahoo have been on Tornado Chrome Headed Lures.

New England Offshore

Bluefin – The bite is still going strong at the Regal Sword, and nonexistent just about everywhere else. Dan at the Hook Up said trolling and jigging have been working lately. Eric Stewart went 2 for 3 on bluefin yesterday, after switch tactics from trolling spreader bars to trolling ballyhoo. Jig fishermen have been racking up some impressive scores on tuna.

Canyons – Rough weather early in the week kept the canyon boats in the slips until Wednesday. A number of boats headed for the bluewater Wednesday and Thursday, including a film crew from OTW TV. We’ll post an update as they come in. AJ at Red Top said south of the Dump has some nice water, and likely some yellowfin.