Trolling for Cape Cod Bluefin

3571 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Courtland, Jul 11, 2015

Clopes

Discussion Starter · Jun 28, 2015

Been at it twice this year and quite a bit last year. Managed to catch one last year jigging a butterfly jig. Looking for some help as many people were hooking up around and no love from the tuna for this guy. I have a 21 foot center console so calm days I'm out there trying. Find it tough to get a decent spread as I have no outriggers. Using four rods (unless windy or want to turn at all then 3) spreader bars on two then tried a bird with machine after and a rapala magnum down deep. I've been mixing up how far back one goes then stagger another but have many issues with crossing lines when trolling, turning or wind. Another issue is the birds. They love my spread! All over it and had to unhook two last trip. Other boats don't see to have the problem I was with the birds but maybe I missed it. Any help for setup of lines out the back or different presentation tips are appreciated. Also if anyone knows what they are doing and wants to take a free trip out on my boat your more than welcome.

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Courtland

· #2 · Jun 28, 2015

Every line needs to be a different distance from the boat. I like bars short and high(from the T-top). They need to short to keep the bar out of or just touching the water. Small boat, maybe 4-5 lines total. I would fish 3 for now. One line fishing well will catch more fish than 5 all jacked up.

You could put some flatline clips on the rear cleats with some feathers real short. Small, like Zukers, mix the colors, maybe 25' off the back. Bluefin will chew in the prop wash.

Ideally, 2 bars in the mid ship rod holders, both sides, put one back about 40' the other about 50' or however far they can be to have the bar just touching occasionally.

Run a green machine out of the seat back holder or t-top if possible, longer, down the middle. Personally, I never liked birds. Go with a green machine chain if you want more out there.

Once these 3 lines are fishing well add the 2 flatlines in the corners. The line comes straight off the tip to the clip. No clip? Just put a #64 rubber band on the cleat and around the line. Again, stagger the baits by at least 10'.

You'll be able to zig and zag with impunity.

If your catching shearwaters, your close to fish. Just part of the game.

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Clopes

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 29, 2015

Thanks Courtland. Wish I had a T top but do not so I'm going to have to get a mount behind my seat so I can run one down the middle higher up. Will definitely get those rubber bands for the cleats too so I can get them down and away from the long lines. Good stuff there. And a green machine is just the single line with no bar correct? Thanks again.

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Courtland

· #4 · Jun 29, 2015

Yup, just a single green machine, or a chain(3in a row on 1 line). Even a cedar plug or cedar plug chain. They pull straight and easy and they'll fish well why you pay attention to the closer baits.

The main key is to stagger them so you can turn donuts without crossing lines.

When you hook a fish on the troll just clear one side of the boat and do circles to that side, keeping the fish inside the circle. Wider circle if he is running at the boat to help the angler keep the rod tight or tighter circles if you are trying to gain line.

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leletes

· #5 · Jul 3, 2015

I've fished a lot of times with one of the best captains ( if not the best ) in the Cape and the most productive seem to be the squid bars, black, white and pink. Try to troll only two or three sets at different lengths ( as Courtland says, middle one closer), take wide turns to avoid overlapping. May be try to troll a little faster, usually the birds at the right speed they will take a dive but abort before hitting the lures. In 6+ years we never hooked one or come close to it. Also make sure that you are not picking up any weeds or anything of the water as the tuna will not hit it. Good luck!

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ksong

· #6 · Jul 3, 2015

If you want to catch bluefin on troll in Cape Cod, never leave dock without ballyhoo.

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Clopes

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 3, 2015

Thanks guys. Never tried the ballyhoo but gotta give it a go. I been using spreader bars with squid and all kinds of colors. I need to get some rod holders running off the back middle. I only have four-2 on each side which makes it difficult. Just got rod riggers so thinking that will make it a little easier and will be getting clips or trying the rubber bands off the cleats as suggested.

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Capt Richie

· #8 · Jul 8, 2015

courtland I see you fish....Great advice...

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Clopes

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 11, 2015

Courtland said:
Every line needs to be a different distance from the boat. I like bars short and high(from the T-top). They need to short to keep the bar out of or just touching the water. Small boat, maybe 4-5 lines total. I would fish 3 for now. One line fishing well will catch more fish than 5 all jacked up.

You could put some flatline clips on the rear cleats with some feathers real short. Small, like Zukers, mix the colors, maybe 25' off the back. Bluefin will chew in the prop wash.

Ideally, 2 bars in the mid ship rod holders, both sides, put one back about 40' the other about 50' or however far they can be to have the bar just touching occasionally.

Run a green machine out of the seat back holder or t-top if possible, longer, down the middle. Personally, I never liked birds. Go with a green machine chain if you want more out there.

Once these 3 lines are fishing well add the 2 flatlines in the corners. The line comes straight off the tip to the clip. No clip? Just put a #64 rubber band on the cleat and around the line. Again, stagger the baits by at least 10'.

You'll be able to zig and zag with impunity.

If your catching shearwaters, your close to fish. Just part of the game.

Update...and thank you for the tips. Got out in the snot this morning and trolled as suggested above. Two bars off the side in close and one wwb machine. Took a while, but once I found a temp. break I hooked up on the sand eel color 40 inch bar halfway between the fingers and the claw. Wasn't a big one but the sushi was outstanding for dinner and it was fun clearing lines, fighting and gaffing by myself. Thanks a lot guys. Hope to put it together a little more each trip out.

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leletes

· #10 · Jul 11, 2015

Good for you!

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Courtland

· #11 · Jul 11, 2015

LOVE IT! Congratz.

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