We had insane Bonita fishing over the weekend. We made a few drifts each day and there was nonstop action on Bonita and Albacore. Chumming with spearing and peanut bunker, none of my customers ever put a bait out. It was all on jigs. The jig didn’t seem to matter, every size, color, and shape got eaten. Definitely some bluefin on the same grounds, as we hooked a fish that dumped line at an alarming rate before breaking off. We did have some heavier gear out with tuna bait but no hookups. The good news is this area we are fishing is loaded with 3 to 6 inch sandeels. They were stuffed in the fish’s mouths when they hit the deck and the bellies when we were at the cleaning table. This is candy for the tuna. 

On these same grounds, some boats were connecting with 250 to 400 pound Bluefin Tuna, both on the troll and bait. However, they were all over 73 inches, so they had to be released. The current Bluefin regs allow charter boats to keep 3 fish between 27 and 47 inches, aka: Unders, and one fish between 47 and 73 inches, aka: Overs, per boat. There are a few ways to target these Giant Bluefins. You need to get on the grounds at, or before daybreak, and troll Joe Shutes with Ballyhoo, or go on the drift with live bait. The troll effort is usually over by 9AM, whereas you can have success with drifting live bait throughout the day. Getting the right live bait is the challenge. Small bluefish, ling, whiting, or bunker are the preferred hookbaits. It’s worth spending half the trip getting the right live bait if necessary, rather than put out sub par hookbaits that never get a bite.  

Here’s what I know:

The marine and traditional weather look really good for this upcoming Fri Oct 11, Sat Oct 12, and Sun Oct 13.

We will be fishing all three of these days.

I can offer any of these days as a charter or run Open Boat each day.

I have all the right bait to start a chunk line: spearing, peanut bunker, sardines. Also live spots as hookbaits. Whichever

species we decide to target, we will be fishing with bait and jigs, no trolling. The exception would be trolling for the Giant Bluefins,

I would consider that but still prefer to use live bait for those, too.

We can target Bonita, Albacore, and school Bluefin Tuna all in the same area, about a 25 to 30 mile run. 

If you guys want to target the Giant Tuna, it’s a commitment. We can’t fish for anything else. We will start by hitting a wreck and trying

to catch live bait. We will put out 80 class tackle and nothing else waiting for the right bite. The 80’s I have are standup

rods, so you will have a belt and harness rather than fight him out of the rod holder. Just know, this is the most boring 

fishing in the world….until you hook up, then it’s the craziest thing you will ever experience.

I am good to fish for any of these fish. It’s prime time migration, 65 degree water, they are on the feed. 

Open Boat or Charter on Fri Oct 11, Sat Oct 12, or Sun Oct 13:

Bonita/Albacore/Bluefin combo $400 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. 5AM to 3PM

Giant Bluefin $450 person, 4 people max, release only, unless we catch one under 73 inches. 4AM to 2PM

*It is possible to fish the early morning hours on the troll for a Giant Bluefin and then switch to Bonita/Albies/School Bluefin

AS I WAS TYPING THIS I GOT A REPORT ON BLUEFIN AND YELLOWFIN AT THE 50 TO 60 MILE RANGE.

IF THE OCEAN IS CALM, WE CAN CONSIDER THIS RUN AT $450 PERSON, 4AM TO 4PM

I know, a lot to consider here, but I hope that I conveyed how flexible I am on whatever we decide to target. Bonita to Giant Bluefin.

I am happy fishing for any of the bluewater fish this weekend as it is prime time.

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com

Pic: First Mate and Hi Flier Co-Captain Nick DeGennaro with a big Albie

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