Inshore Tunas

[TROP]

How close do the tuna come inshore. Wanted to try for some , but boat only has 60 gals fuel tank. 25 mile or so limit. We launch out of CapeMay or Abseacon area of New Jersey. Blues,yellow,false, abs, it don't mater.
Thanks!
jstropea@yahoo.com
TROP

[gradyfish265]

Being that you have a 25mile ,limit, your really in a tough spot to get to these fish since 25miles off might do it, but you might need to run 10-15 miles north or south as well, the fish move from day to day and going out and being stuck in one location and then hearing the fish are just out of range is not fun. Also, does this 25mile limit include trolling....there not not many spots off NJ within 25 miles where you will chunk tuna, there are some spots guys know but very few and far between, typically in closer guys are trolling which burns fuel. Sounds like you really are not running a boat made for this fishing...if you do decide to go anyways I would highly advise bringing more fuel even though I think ti is dangerous...and also have an epirb...on a small boat like yours that is a MUST!!!

Your best bet is to run to barnegat ridge, the fish typically aren't big, but some bigger schoolies do show from time to time, you will get some false and bonita and an occasional bluefin. This is likely your best bet with your limited range.

[Capt.Joe Monticolo]

Make sure you have your tuna permit for the boat

[Sterling Tackle]

You are right in my neck of the woods. If you can launch in Somers Point or Ocean City, the AC ridge is 19 miles from the GE inlet. You will definitly have a shot at some smaller bluefin 15# up to 40#. If you can launch at Corsons inlet, which is at the south end of OC, then your 19 miles from the Sea Isle Ridge, same size fish. The best thing to do is buy a good chart or two so you can study and map out these places on your own. In august the false albecore will show up, and they are a ball, a lot of triple headers. Bonito and Dolphin are small, but will always be mixed in. In July you will always have the chance of getting coverd up with blue fish, but most have moved on. Like someone said, most guys are trolling these areas. Keep a watch on the fishing forums and you will know when they are there. Most of all Be Safe.

[TROP]

Thanks, We have been out to AC Reef, OC Reef, & Sea Isle Ridge alot sharking. We have never saw any tuna in these areas while sharking. But we are usually done sharking around august. What do you look for out there? Maybe they were out there when we were there & we never knew it. We never saw any jumping, I guess they jump uh? We have are Shark/Tuna Permit. Can you catch them with bait in these areas or do you have to troll. I you have to troll, more than likely we wouldn't be able to troll that long. When you troll or use bait, what type lure/bait can you use? Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks!
TROP

[TROP]

Any advice?

[DropinBack]

How big is your fuel tank? Get a bigger one or bring a few extra gas cans to be safe...

[Sterling Tackle]

Sorry trop, I didn't check back on the thread. A lot of questions to answer. You will mainly see people fishing these areas trolling. How ever you can chunk if you locate fish. You want to look for signs of life. Bait fish on your fish finder, bait fish breaking the surface, birds, turtles, etc. Water is best in the high 60s or 70s. Right now during shark season you will find only bluefish. If you troll 4-6 knots is fine. Use at least a couple spreader bars, we sell great 18" light tackle bars for these inshore areas. Once you use spreader bars, you will never troll again without them. The rest of your spread should be daisy chains and a couple single lures. Colors that work well, Rainbow, green, Pur/black. We used to carry a 20 gal. red plastic fuel tank with us and use it up first on the way out, when it is empty you can tie it to the hard top to keep it out of the way or stow it somewhere else.

[mummaiv]

Since Sterling is helping with some info, I thought I would give him a bump. I called him last Tuesday at 4pm and needed a couple green machine spreader bars shipped over to DE for a tournament by Friday. He got off the phone and went straight to the post office. The equipment was setting at the front door when I arrived on Friday night!

And the best part ... The green machine spreader bar brought in the first YFT of the year!

Thanks Sterling Tackle !!

[ADDfishing]

I you have to troll, more than likely we wouldn't be able to troll that long.

For your safety, if shutting the motors off for the day vs. trolling is going to mean the difference in you getting home
or not, you're beyond the limits of your boat. A good rule of thumb that I learned a while back from some of the best on here is that from cast off to tieing up, you should have 1/4 - 1/3 tank left for reserve. There are a lot of reasons why you may need extra fuel. If I'm off base, someone please lay the smack down.