Cuttyhunk Blues

[MGS1969]

I am going to be up at Cuttyhunk Island over Labor Day and looking to take a boat ride to find some blue fin. With out giving away any secret spots or anything, I am trying to figure out where I should concentrate my efforts. I am going to head South and West towards Newport as a general direction.

Any thoughts or opinions are much appreciated

[Pete_G]

It's tough to give direction for sbft.

Every day I leave the harbor seems to be a new day. I often tell customers they just need to "burn some gas" when they ask where the tuna are but they usually look at me funny like I'm hiding something or being sarcastic. But I'm completely serious.

24 hours can change things in a big way, completely negating a fishing report. Actually, 1 hour can change things in a big way. What was dead an hour ago on a slack tide can explode once it turns. The fish will be where the bait is. Covering some ground enables you to find some actively feeding fish which is key. A school lazily moving through the water and surfacing once an hour isn't going to get the job done.

I generally try to hide from the crowds. The fish definitely aren't too big on heavy run and gun style fishing. Once I find fish I rarely take the engines above 2000 rpms. If someone is already moving at a new school of fish I don't even move. Remember that baitfish don't swim fast, the tuna will return to the bait. There are a LOT of tuna out there again this year, if you look around and leave the crowd you can usually find some fish with less boats.

I'm not sure if that helps any, but that's generally the mindset I go out with each day. It hurts my wallet, but 100 mile days aren't uncommon for me unless I quickly find tuna after leaving the harbor.

[Pete_G]

I'll try and add some more tomorrow. Boat positioning, approach angles on breaking fish, etc. The important stuff...

[MGS1969]

Thanks Pete...

So it’s literally a matter of cruising and looking for bird activity or just driving and trolling...?

[Pete_G]

Sorry I didn't get back to this quicker. I thought I did. Maybe it was another board, I can't even remember... Been on the water and in the shop almost constantly. Unfortunately it was fairly disappointing the past few days on the water...

How you fish for them is really dictated by how you want to fish for them.

Flys and light spin? Or spreader bars and trolling?

I do whatever gets the job done, but I definitely enjoy casting to feeding fish. Many times the tuna won't have birds on them, or maybe just one or two. Spotting tuna is definitely a skill and it helps to have good eyes. But to some degree, yeah, you just have to put together an educated guess and go for a drive. And if you haven't been out several days in a row it can be tough to find somewhere to start.

I look for obvious signs such as birds, but I also watch for bait. As always the fish will be where the bait is.

Actually finding the fish is often easier then catching them. I always try to approach tuna from upwind. You'll find that they often feed into the wind. Approaching from above will make for easier casts with the fly, and longer casts with spin. Always try to pull your offering away from the fish. Pulling it perpendicular to them will work, but definitely not as well as pulling away.

[MGS1969]

thanks for the reply

Well I would prefer to throw flies/ Spinning, but like you, I'll do whatever is working best. I have done some simillar light tackle stuff in Cape Cod bay the last few years...so I have some what of an idea what to look for....are you targeting Tuna now? you mentioned its been a slow few days...?

[Pete_G]

Very similar to CCB, only prepare to be disappointed.

The biggest inshore bft for me so far this year is 15 pounds. Most are 10, so go armed like you're going to be fighting an albie. They've been around for a while now.

Since your already at Cuttyhunk, consider going S or SE. You never know what you're going to find. And let me know if you find something.

We burned 30 gallons just to do recon over there today.... Newport to Cutty and back for a bonito is a little aggravating.

[Skipnoid]

I've never fished for SBFT but want to. I'm docked in Warwick and have been fishing Brenton Reef for the usual stuff. Rougly how far further out, up or down the coast (from Brenton) do you typically need to travel to find these types of fish?

[cchobot]

This is a tricky one. I'm going to refer you to one of Pete's posts: Cuttyhunk Blues

Tough to say how far offshore you'll find the tuna. Best bet is to burn some gas looking. How big of a boat are you in?

[Skipnoid]

That's good ... I ask a question and then dissapear for a week!
I'm in a 24' Grady with a single 225 Honda ... 90 gallon tank (at 4-bucks a gallon ).