My first bluefin on popper

[Minnow]

very nice catch Kil.

how far out did you catch was the bluefin?

[ksong]

Originally Posted by Minnow

very nice catch Kil.

how far out did you catch was the bluefin?

It is only a few miles off the beach. We fished 130 - 150 ft water.

[ksong]

Originally Posted by Sportfisherman

Hi Kil ,

Congratulation with your first Bluefin Tuna with popper , you won't troll for them anymore from now on and most likely will target the really big one with stronger more powerfull rod + higher capacity reel .

I prefer " pencil popper " than surface chugger because when we have to move fast to chase the " boil " , with pencil popper I just lift the rod tip high and retrieve the lure , by this time the captain wud be gunning the engine to position the boat upwind from " boil " so distance casting can be achieved without spooking the school , at least that how we do it in my area with YFTs .

Jon .

Hi Jon, I need trolling to rest and sleep.

We did what you described. We went the other direction, turned off engine and waited until the school came within casting range. As there were only a few boats scattered, we didn't have any fishing pressure.

Experienced guys use small pencil popper called 'Salty Needle'. I had them on the boat, but I didn't try them as the Hydro popper worked so well.
The most popular technique for Salty Needle here is 'twitch, pause, pause'.

I choose the light rod as I had to cast one or two oz poppers. It is a dilemma that I have to use very small and light poppers and otherwise they wouldn't touch it though there are some monsters. We saw 200 + lbs bluefin cruising under our boat.

As jigging bluefin tuna is hot and furious out of Southern NJ, It is tough decision whether I go up to Cape Cod, MA for popping tuna and go down to Southern NJ for jigging tuna.

[Sportfisherman]

Originally Posted by ksong

Hi Jon, I need trolling to rest and sleep.

We did what you described. We went the other direction, turned off engine and waited until the school came within casting range. As there were only a few boats scattered, we didn't have any fishing pressure.

Experienced guys use small pencil popper called 'Salty Needle'. I had them on the boat, but I didn't try them as the Hydro popper worked so well.
The most popular technique for Salty Needle here is 'twitch, pause, pause'.

I choose the light rod as I had to cast one or two oz poppers. It is a dilemma that I have to use very small and light poppers and otherwise they wouldn't touch it though there are some monsters. We saw 200 + lbs bluefin cruising under our boat.

As jigging bluefin tuna is hot and furious out of Southern NJ, It is tough decision whether I go up to Cape Cod, MA for popping tuna and go down to Southern NJ for jigging tuna.

Hi Kil ,

I think popping is more exciting than jigging , for tuna especially because you can see the strikes and the rest is pretty much the same during " circle of death " bout , however jigging rods should be always available should the big ones cruise under the boat , as you described .

It's good to hear that smaller lures score better than bigger lures for tuna , on another forum somebody told differently but then the guy is a complete beginner in this fishing technique but just like to argue so can sell his GT lures , he will change his tunes soon .

Good luck with whatever decision you eventually will make as for to jig or to cast for those tunas , myself I am getting ready to go into the jungle of Borneo for freshwater fishing expedition , we will sleep in a tent without electricity for 4 days !

Jon .

[jeremy airey]

Hi Kil
A few familiar names popping up here.
Congrats on the tuna don't suppose I'll get to try it soon over here in the UK.

Hi Jon
Are you the Jon I know from 'Caranx'?
If so 'Jungle Fishing' what you after - peacocks or one of there family like the ferocious 'Nguini Black Bass' - I don't know much about Borneo fishing ?

regards to you both
Jeremy

[Sportfisherman]

Originally Posted by jeremy airey

Hi Kil
A few familiar names popping up here.
Congrats on the tuna don't suppose I'll get to try it soon over here in the UK.

Hi Jon
Are you the Jon I know from 'Caranx'?
If so 'Jungle Fishing' what you after - peacocks or one of there family like the ferocious 'Nguini Black Bass' - I don't know much about Borneo fishing ?

regards to you both
Jeremy

Hi Jeremy ,

We meet again ! The species I am after is Hampala ( latin name ) , they grow to 5+ kg in the rivers of Borneo and we may take a side trip to catch a few Giant Snakeheads and Arowanas . Hope we catch fish there !

There is no peacock bass there , it's a South American species and Nuigini Black Bass occurs in a diffierent island altogether .

Jon .

[Ragman]

Hey Jon!

Glad to see you sharing your experience here!

TJ and I were discussing the Arowanas this past week at ICAST!

Freshwater used to be my passion, but might still be if we had Hampala, Giant snakeheads, and Nuigini here in our lakes and rivers!

Good luck and post a report here when you return!

[jeremy airey]

Hi Jon
That is one ugly mother of a fish - I love it!!!!
Did a 'google' on the name and it apparently a member of the carp family and related to those pretty barbs that are sold by aquarists.
I wish you luck old friend - I hope the fight and attitude matches there 'good' looks. It looks like a real bruiser.
Are the other 'carpy' type fish a sub sp. of masheer, the scaling, mouth shape and sleek overall shape make it look so ?
I'm well jealous about the 'toman' too.
regards
Jeremy