By User Off The Hook

Okay tip number one….This one Is for the newbies to the sport…

MATCH THE HATCH

As a capt. of a small boat you need every advantage you can get when tuna fishing…One of those would be pay close attention to your spread..! I can tell you what hit what bait In what postion three weeks after the trip…Things change every day one day there feeding on squid the next day flying fish Then the next day sand eels. So If you notice a certain bait getting more attention then the others try to match It not just the same lure but color & size..Both color & size play a big part In there feeding habits..

Also look for what there eating when the hit the deck or cut one open & check out whats Inside…This can be very usefull when things are slow but other boats In the area are getting hits cut him open & try to solve the problem..If you have ever been down to the docks when the boats come In you will find alot of capts & mates going to the fish cleaners to see what they had In them….Theres a reason they do that….

A perfect example of matching the hatch this year…On a trip to the canyon we had a slow picking of tuna It was slow for everyone..We had a basic witch/hoo combo spread out with one bird green machine & one spreader bar we picked up a few fish on the bar only & noticed that one of the fish had spit up a small 4 to 5-inch squid..BINGO…So I asked Taz to put out two or three more bars with the 6-inch squids & a white widow hook bait which Is a 5 1/2-inch white Moldcraft squid with red beads inside & a fang hook..The minute they went out It was non stop action on 50-pound class tunas…We had It all to are selfs so we called In so others told them the hot bait & everyone had a blast…Not just tuna but gaffers & a few marlin were caught as well..So I cant stress enough to

MATCH THE HATCH…..!!!!!!