Sunday, August 14, 2011

Cape Cod's Impressive Bluefin Tuna Fishery

By Captain Ryan Collins


It's difficult to beat bluefin tuna fishing on Cape Cod. The tuna fishing over the past few years has been nothing short of spectacular.

The sheer amount of tuna in Massachusetts Bay over the past few seasons has been staggering. Impressive schools of juvenile tuna, along with giant tuna visit the Cape each season. They feed on the plethora of mackerel, herring, sandeels and whiting (to name just a few of the many prey items) that are plentiful off Cape Cod. Many of the tunas are caught in places accessible by smaller boats. Fish over the 500 pound mark are caught each year from boats more suited for striped bass fishing.

Many people claim that bluefin tuna have been depleted, and are on the verge of extinction. Numbers worldwide are reportedly down, as overfishing takes its toll. Yet the abundance of bluefin tuna off Cape Cod has only increased in recent years. Fishermen of all calibers agree that there has been an influx of tuna throughout the past decade. The Cape Cod fishey is alive, abundant, and thriving.

Fortunately for Cape Cod anglers, the action is usually only minutes away from the harbor.

Significant schools of 100-200 pound tuna fed heavily just north of the Fingers outside Barnstable Harbor last June. These tuna were fussy, and difficult to fool. However the topwater feeding frenzies proved to be quite the show in and of themselves.

Some mornings bluefins could be spotted across the horizon, whipping up whitewater and crushing baitfish on the surface. The fish traveled quickly and were difficult to keep up with. However having tuna this close to shore was a treat in and of itself.

The fall of 2011 has the potential to be epic for Cape Cod tuna fishing. If the weather cooperates, there is no reason why many big tuna will not be caught. As is typical, the bait is here and it is plentiful. Cape Codders are crossing their fingers that the tuna fishing will break wide open throughout September, October and November.

My crew and I hope to focus our efforts on giant tuna this fall. We'll be using live bait to target tuna well over the 300 pound mark. Bluefish, pogies, and mackerel will be our go-to live baits. We'll use balloons and kites to present the bait.

For those interested in live baiting a big bluefin, using "snack" size bluefish as bait may be the ticket. Juvenile bluefish should be plentiful in Cape Cod's back bays and estuaries this fall. The tricky part is figuring out a way to transport the feisty chompers, once you finally catch a few, to Cape Cod Bay, Stellwagen Bank and other tuna hotspots.

Pogies may be a more realistic bait resource for many. These filter feeders can be gillnetted or cast netted in many of the Cape's back bays and estuaries. If you plan on catching pogies on your own, then expect to invest a lot of time and energy into learning the trade. Befriending a local live pogie supplier is a more feasible option for many tuna fishermen.

Artificial baits will still produce plenty of tuna for anglers who would rather not deal with the complexities of obtaining live bait. Squid bars are always popular with captains who like to troll. Some fishermen target tunas by way of spinning gear. These fish are generally smaller, however the style of fishing is often more exciting. However, fighting tuna on spinning gear can be very taxing on an anglers body. Being in decent physical condition is a necessity when pursuing bluefins on spinning tackle.

There is no wrong way to tackle a tuna-the key is discovering what works best for your crew.

Without a doubt, autumn is a fantastic time to be a fishermen on Cape Cod. The bluefin fishing is great, but it is not all that the Cape has to offer. Aside from tuna, the striped bass fishing and whale watching can be incredible.

If the tuna bite slows, switching tactics and pursuing stripers is always an option. Big bass are fequently found in the general vicinity of big tuna. Often times 20-40 pound bass are caught on the same pogies and squid bars intended for bluefins.

The fall of 2011 has great potential for anglers fishing off Cape Cod. If the weather cooperates expect some seriously big tuna at the docks. Large striped bass will certainly be part of the mix as well.

The Cape has a truly world class fishery. The fishing opportunities are endless. Tight lines, stay safe, and good luck!.




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