Questions for the Tuna Experts

[Lucky Duck]

Thinking about our trip about 20 miles south of the Vineyard two weeks ago when we landed 7 SBFT - never happened before and will probably never happen again. Anyway, we had four fish to the boat between 6:45 and 9:00, nothing for 2 or 3 hours and 3 more with one miss before lines were out at 2PM. We never left a two mile radius temperature break, never changed the spread (half were caught on skirted ballyhoo and half on a green machine daisy chain with a bird) and there were never any signs of life.

When fishing the Stellwagen area, we always pay close attention to the timing of slack tide, but this is easy to figure out using tide stations in Plymouth or Provincetown. So my questions are, why did the bite stop and then start up again? Was it current? If so, how do you figure out when the change is and do you use it in your general strategy or do you just wing it? I find one of the best things about tuna fishing is how difficult it is, how many variables are involved, not to mention luck. It never stops being interesting, challenging and a lot of fun. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[tuna-or-later]

Thinking about our trip about 20 miles south of the Vineyard two weeks ago when we landed 7 SBFT - never happened before and will probably never happen again. Anyway, we had four fish to the boat between 6:45 and 9:00, nothing for 2 or 3 hours and 3 more with one miss before lines were out at 2PM. We never left a two mile radius temperature break, never changed the spread (half were caught on skirted ballyhoo and half on a green machine daisy chain with a bird) and there were never any signs of life.

When fishing the Stellwagen area, we always pay close attention to the timing of slack tide, but this is easy to figure out using tide stations in Plymouth or Provincetown. So my questions are, why did the bite stop and then start up again? Was it current? If so, how do you figure out when the change is and do you use it in your general strategy or do you just wing it? I find one of the best things about tuna fishing is how difficult it is, how many variables are involved, not to mention luck. It never stops being interesting, challenging and a lot of fun. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I just go by the tide at the closest reported area. usually 1hr before and 1hr after the tide the bite is best.

[Gadaluvit]

Is the SWC just talked about more now because of all of the folks thru all of cape Cod bay that head to the bank target that corner first geographically? Or ....

[Happy Ending]

Thinking about our trip about 20 miles south of the Vineyard two weeks ago when we landed 7 SBFT - never happened before and will probably never happen again. Anyway, we had four fish to the boat between 6:45 and 9:00, nothing for 2 or 3 hours and 3 more with one miss before lines were out at 2PM. We never left a two mile radius temperature break, never changed the spread (half were caught on skirted ballyhoo and half on a green machine daisy chain with a bird) and there were never any signs of life.

When fishing the Stellwagen area, we always pay close attention to the timing of slack tide, but this is easy to figure out using tide stations in Plymouth or Provincetown. So my questions are, why did the bite stop and then start up again? Was it current? If so, how do you figure out when the change is and do you use it in your general strategy or do you just wing it? I find one of the best things about tuna fishing is how difficult it is, how many variables are involved, not to mention luck. It never stops being interesting, challenging and a lot of fun. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

hmmm, what was the tide at Gay Head? that would be the closest place i would think?? tough to say what turned them on and off that day. slack is said to be the best by most guys, but doesnt mean it is the only time they will chew. like you said, lots of variables and things to think about...

[Happy Ending]

Is the SWC just talked about more now because of all of the folks thru all of cape Cod bay that head to the bank target that corner first geographically? Or ....

and SWC is in the posts cause thats where the most life has been as far as the bank goes. for whatever reason NWC has been dead this year...mother nature changes form year to year. who knows...next year could change again

[bankrat]

the tide is important, but what type of bait the fish are on will often dictate when they bite within a tide. If the fish are on halfbeaks, small macs, or other fast moving baits the bite will most likely be mid tide. if they are on sand eels, peanut bunker, herring, and other slow moving schooling baits, the bite will most likely be around the slack.

Of course, this can vary, but I've found this to be a pretty consistent pattern.

food for thought- pun intended.