Reporting in from the Orange County Convention Center, though there’s been no actual tuna fishing for the OTW crew this week, but we have been getting a look at some of the newest offshore fishing gear coming out. 

Most exciting for a popping tuna perspective is the new line of Shimano Ocea Jigger Big Game, designed to present stickbaits and poppers to 60” and up bluefin.   There’s three models, an XH, XXH, and XXXH. Theres also redesigned Talica 12 and 16 models, perfect for jigging metals for tuna. 

But enough tackle talk – this week, once again, the tuna bite is looking good from Cape May all the way past Cape Cod. 

While visiting the Grundens Booth, I met Bass Pro Adrian Avena, who, when he’s not winning the latest Major League Fishing tournament, is taking any chance he can get to head offshore.  He said a little earlier in the season, 100-pound bluefin had been just a short ride off Cape May, but while at the show, he’d gotten a text that yellowfin had moved within 40 to 50 miles at places like Massey’s, and were being caught in great numbers on jigs and troll, with some boats finding success with live peanut bunker. 

While South Jersey is seeing good mid-shore yellowfin action, further north in the state, the mid-shore yellows seem to have moved on, according to Mike Gleason from TAK Waterman. The mid-shore bluefin fishing, however, continues to be great off the northern half of the state.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Fishermen’s Supply (@fishermens_supply)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John McMurray (@john.mcmurray.370)

Many of the fish are in that 50-inch range, reported Kyle from Fisherman’s Supply.  That’s been the most common size on Cape Cod too, where running and gunning after surface feeds and jigging are continuing to produce recreational-size tuna, both East of Cape Cod and south of Martha’s Vineyard. Trolling has been the most reliable tactic, both for the mid-shore bluefin and yellowfin. 

Eastern Long Island has good fishing for yellowfin in the 30 to 35 mile range according to Anthony at White Water Outfitters. Trolling, particularly early and late in the day, has been producing good action, while some anglers have been able to raise fish on poppers around sunset. On Long Island, Anthony said, the better light-tackle, jigging and popping action has been to the west.  

That good yellowfin bite seems to be stretching from the Coimbra to the Dump, giving boats without canyon range a crack at the yellowbirds.  It’s shaping up to be another big yellowfin year. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Woozy Fishing – Joey & Nina M (@woozyfishing)

Veatch Canyon continues to be hot with big yellowfin, some bigeye, and some swordfish. Good numbers of bigeye also seem to have moved into the Dip.  

White marlin have been reported moving to some midshore areas as the waters warm up from Long Island to South of the Vineyard, and there’s been word of some big blue marlin patrolling the canyons.  With the Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic underway this week, surely, we’ll be hearing about some more of them.