bluefin jigging out of Cape May, NJ is imminent.

[kilsong]

It looks long waited bluefin jigging just started.
When it happens, it'll be very hard decision whether to go up to Cape Cod for bluefin popping or go down to Cape May, NJ for bluefin jigging.

06-28
Rob and Myself had Mike,Rodney and Mike aboard this morning for a little Bluefin scouting mission.
We worked the 20 fathom lumps and tried a little of everything
First off was a couple hour chunking session followed by a little trolling session to try out the new riggers and spreader bars(Sterling Tackle bars are nice!)
We ended up stopping on some awesome marks and I hooked one up on Mike's Trevalla rod with Avet LX reel and 10oz Hammered Jig
After a half Hour chase and some great teamwork we boated a 63 in,153 lb. Bluefin Tuna,great job on the fish Guys

[gradyfish265]

The fish should be there, had bluefin in the mudhole saturday, big schools on top, we were able to hook up right away on an 80lb class fish on the jig returning from sharking. Heard reports from other shark fishermen of similar schools from the mudhole south from 20-40fathoms mostly so fishing off cape may should be red hot. Use hammered diamond jigs or use braid slammer jigs in silver, they work wonders for tuna, especially bluefin. Leave the butterfly jigs at home...had a boat next to us sling them for an hour without a touch, we had knock downs and fish hooked up with the metal.

[kilsong]

The fish should be there, had bluefin in the mudhole saturday, big schools on top, we were able to hook up right away on an 80lb class fish on the jig returning from sharking. Heard reports from other shark fishermen of similar schools from the mudhole south from 20-40fathoms mostly so fishing off cape may should be red hot. Use hammered diamond jigs or use braid slammer jigs in silver, they work wonders for tuna, especially bluefin. Leave the butterfly jigs at home...had a boat next to us sling them for an hour without a touch, we had knock downs and fish hooked up with the metal.

thanks for the report. Were you near Glory Hole ? There were reports bluefin were jumping all over the places in Glory Hole.
If tuna are as close as Monster Ledge, I might try soon.

[LastChance84]

nice report kil- were u on duct work?

[Caveman Sportfishing]

It is not happening at this time and if it were you would be reading and hearing reports about tuna being caught. One or two BFT at most have been caught recently and there has been quite a few boat looking the last week or so and 99% have not seen anything and matter of fact some of the best charter captains I know are concerned as the bait is not there on most of the traditional lumps and hills that usually have loads of it by now. It is bleak at best but we are all hoping this changes any day now which it could but for now save your money and go flounder fishing or take a ride up to Chatham, MA. Every boat that fished today got skunked and that is not a good thing. Some may not want to read this as they are trying to sell charters but we cancelled two BFT charters over the next few days as did 3 or 4 other boats that I know of.

[Bluewater Sportfishing]

Thats the truth, there is nothing more I hate then going fishing when the fish are not there or your best chance is a Cinderella fish. The fish will be here soon but right now they are spread out and consist of small schools that are on the move. I was out yesterday and conditions were good but lacked fish. They just haven't set up shop yet.

[marlinmatt]

i do not believe its an absence of bait from what i saw last weekend on our way out to the s. poormans/wash area we had to stop the boat with the abundance of bait that came on the screen in some of the more traditional hills and bumps south of cape may. birds were sworming a bit, picking we just didnt see those big red marks distinguishing tuna fish, put on a few short drops for 1/2hr or so working through the collumn to no avail. so we continued on our way. i think the variables are in place now all we need is a few fish to show and we'll be golden.

[gman]

It is not happening at this time and if it were you would be reading and hearing reports about tuna being caught. One or two BFT at most have been caught recently and there has been quite a few boat looking the last week or so and 99% have not seen anything and matter of fact some of the best charter captains I know are concerned as the bait is not there on most of the traditional lumps and hills that usually have loads of it by now. It is bleak at best but we are all hoping this changes any day now which it could but for now save your money and go flounder fishing or take a ride up to Chatham, MA. Every boat that fished today got skunked and that is not a good thing. Some may not want to read this as they are trying to sell charters but we cancelled two BFT charters over the next few days as did 3 or 4 other boats that I know of.

You should be commended for your honesty

[Caveman Sportfishing]

Got a report there might be vast schools off Rudee last night from another internet site that the focus is on the Virginia Southern Shore plus a friend who fishes down there. To date I personally have not heard about a red hot bite anywhere except possibly up off Chatham, MA but even that is all run gun type fishing from what I understand. Some of the more traditional spots a good ways to the south of us such as Wayne’s World, 21, 26 mile hills ECT that are popular early season BFT locations and usually see the tuna first have not been red hot by any means by the recent reports I have received. I personally have not fished any of these locations so I can only go by the reports I have access too. Quite Possibly others have did well and it is not being reported ect but usually the folks I get my information are right on top of the Bluefin game and have been for quite a few years. If anyone has some better information that there is lots of BFT out there at least being seen please share it as I would really like to know about it as would many other anglers that fish to the North such as OCMD up to Cape May, NJ. BFT are a huge part of our summer season year in and year out especially in recent years with Yellowfin being pretty scarce and I know there are many anglers all waiting to hear some positive reports which could very well happen today but to date I do not think it is worth the fuel going looking for them and I personally would go deep and target other species in the canyons and maybe stop and take a quick look inshore on the way home but not spend the whole day chasing the one Cinderella tuna. Any positive reports would be greatly appreciated as know one up our way is anywhere near panicking at this time since it is still early but we should be seeing some decent catches by now going by past years up our way. This is the first July 4th weekend we have sat at the dock in 15 years and have always managed some nice BFT over this holiday weekend for many years now including some pushing 130 lbs all caught trolling but we cancelled our charters do to lack of inshore BFT which these charters were based on. Maybe we will see some decent canyon Yellowfin action this season but BFT is what we so many in our area target and look forward too every season.

[kilsong]

Capt John,
26 Mile Hill off Virginia is heating up now. I heard almost every boat fishes there get a bluefin now though though catch them on troll. Lumpy Bottom produces some bluefin too.
I plan to go down Chincoteague, VA on Wed or Thur if weather is decent after I fish bluefin popping in Cape Cod tomorrow.