How to Catch Tuna

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Tuna are large and tasty saltwater game fish. There are several species of tuna including the albacore, blackfin, skipjack and the potentially gigantic bluefin. You can catch skipjack tuna in coastal waters, but most anglers pursue tuna offshore by chumming or trolling. When chumming you fish with bait and place additional bait in the water to attract fish. Trolling is done by pulling lures behind a slow-moving boat. Read on to learn how to catch tuna.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Trolling

Step 1

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.
Step 2

Set the outriggers. With outriggers, or arms that stretch from the side of the boat, you can troll additional lines without getting tangled. Tuna anglers usually troll with four lines, although with the right equipment it is possible to set more.
Step 3

Troll until a fish strikes. If it is set correctly, the outrigger will release the line when a fish hits.
Step 4

Land the tuna. Take pictures and measurements. If you are keeping the fish, put it on ice right away.

Chumming

Step 1

Prepare chum. Cut up bait, keeping all the blood and entrails.
Step 2

Start pouring chum overboard in regular intervals once you have reached a potential fishing area.
Step 3

Cast your baited line into the trail of chum behind the boat. Once tuna begin to feed on the chum, it is easy to catch them if they think your bait is just another piece of chum.
Step 4

Set the hook when a fish strikes. Land it and treat the fish appropriately depending on whether you will release it or eat it.

Comments

craigrachow said

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on 8/29/2009 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.

More tips at http://www.howtocatchtuna.net/

on 8/29/2009 Tuna Fishing Chum Recipe
Supplies & Ingredients:

* 1 box of heavy duty zip lock plastic freezer bags
* 1 five gallon bucket
* a garden hand rake or stirring implement
* Garden Hose
* 1 gallon pure pogy (menhaden) oil
* 1 – 3 pound can whole kernel corn
* Rice, oats, macaroni (optional)
* 12 cans Kozy Kitty cat food (sold at most stores 3/$1)
* 6 loaves of wheat or stone ground bread. Some bakery outlet stores sell old bread for 10 cents per loaf, you must ask for “critter food”.
* Food processor (Warning: You may burn it up and don’t even think about telling the wife what you need it for)
* Electric can opener

Recipe:

* Chop bread in processor
* Dump 12 cans of cat food into bucket, mixing in bread with small amounts of water. Consistency desired like thick soup
* Stir in 2 cups of Pogy oil, evenly distributed
* Take off...