CHUNKING???????

[austin ensor]

hey everyone i do alot of trolling 4 tuna and chumming for sharks but this might sound like a stuipd qestion?? but how do u guys chunk and how is it diffrent from chumming??? Like shark fishing ??ballonss???sixe hoook?? thanks



-austin

[paul708]

once you get the "tips and trick" on chunking..dont forget to GET JIGGY WITH IT...using the jig while chunking will put some more fish in the boat

[Capt-D]

... but in years past (not so much recently) it has saved the day. Of OCMD it involved chopping up or "CHUNKING" pieces of bait, typically sardines, elewive/peanut bunker, butterfish and sometimes squid and creating a chunk line. Much like chumming without the small particales and less oil (although some add menhaden milk to the mix). The baits are place at varying depths held in place by balloons and floats much like chumming. Leaders typically are short 6-8' shots of fluorocarbon attached to the main line with the smallest barrel swivel you can get away with. Typically early season bluefin you can get away with 80lb leaders (you can always down size to 50 if you think they are leader shy) while yellowfin typically require 30-50 lb test. the goal like chumming is to toss enough over to lead them to the boat and not over feed them at the tail end of the slick. you always want a feeder line or two out constantly working it with each small handful of chunks you toss. The pay off is when you have 20-30 50lb class fish "boiling" at the stern. At that point leader size doesn't matter as much and the goal is to monopolize the oprotunity. Hookup and move the angler off to whatever side the fish wants to run to allow more hookups.

Also adding a live spot into the mix can be deadly. Not just in the spread but its fun to see a boil on that lone live spot you have out on the long rigger away from the action and in "clean water"

Tip: Never stop chunking. Even when fish are hooked up make sure someone is still tossing chunks. Often a school will follow a hooked fish to the surface much like mahi do.

Tip: Location, Location, Location gotta be where the bait and fish are!



I will say this, that in the past 4 years or so the typical late summer chunking bite has not been there at the typical lumps like the hotdog, hambone, chickenbone etc. I personally think its the amount of scallopers that have been there in the last 4 years disturbing the sand ells. No bait no reason to stay! JMHO!

Hope this helps, I am sure more on here can add some more tips.

-D

[trollman]

do you run into a "dogfish" problem?

[sjogren]

Good question
What/where is OCMD? - Capt D

[BigSteads]

Good question
What/where is OCMD? - Capt D

Ocean City, Maryland

[austin ensor]

not so many dog fish but bluefish and alborcore are a prblem!!!

[Capt-D]

Yeah early season chunking and trolling for bluefin can be a real PIA when thos damn piranna show(bluefish) trolling we usually pick up speed a little bit and chunking keep an eye on the finder and if you see marks but cant get past the bluefish add more weight to the rig using inline eggs and zip the bait past the column of bluefish to the bluefin holding underneath! The do get dogfish in the surf mid summer but not a problem (yet) chunking. I dont mind when the bonito and stuff show up cause at leat you can break out the lightrod and have a little fun.

-D

[Capt-D]

another tip! If you want to see some surface action then definitely net some peanut bunker (the 2-3 inch ones) and add them whole to the chunkiing. Unless you "pop" them they will float on the surface longer leading to more boiling! Good times when your in the right spot.

-D

[seaclops]

Chunking in the canyons at night for tuna and swords is a blast. I happen to
like it more than trolling.