Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna in Monterey Bay can range from 50 pounds to well over 250 pounds. These are big, powerful fish, and they demand serious tackle.
We supply Avet 30W and Shimano 30W two-speed reels spooled with 100# test on United Composites and Calstar rods. We provide the trolling gear, but if you have your own setup you’d like to get wet, by all means bring it!
Just make sure you’re prepared for what might eat your bait. We recommend 100# test with approximately 20+ yards of 100# or 130# fluorocarbon on top of your braid. As our local tackle guru Alan Tani likes to say, “Friends don’t let friends fish with 80#.”
A two-speed reel is also highly recommended. When a big Bluefin decides to head downstairs, you’ll appreciate that low gear!
We target Bluefin by slow trolling live mackerel and high-speed trolling MadMacs, Rapala Magnums, cedar plugs, Zukers and Konas.
Getting the chills yet?
Our Bluefin trips can take us as far as 30 miles offshore and are an all-day adventure. Bluefin are still relatively new to the Santa Cruz and Monterey area, and finding them can be challenging. These aren’t fish you can count on catching every trip. Our best trip so far has produced two Bluefin for the boat.
That’s something to consider when planning your trip with friends. A party of four can sometimes be more effective than a party of six. Landing a big Bluefin is often a team effort, with two anglers tag-teaming the fish during a long battle.
Bluefin trips aren’t inexpensive, but compare the total cost with making a two-day tuna trip out of San Diego: an 8+ hour drive each way, accommodations the night before, the boat fare, gratuity, food, drinks, fish processing and the long drive home.
Don’t get me wrong—the San Diego tuna fleet is world-class and those trips can be awesome. But being able to chase Bluefin right here out of Santa Cruz is a pretty incredible opportunity.
Chris Loops of Los Gatos and deckhand Kai
Albacore and Bonito
Albacore and Bonito fishing is a completely different kind of tuna fishing—and when they’re biting, things can get crazy in a hurry.
We use Penn Fathom reels spooled with 40# braid on Shimano Talavera rods.
When the first rod goes off, we don’t immediately stop the boat. We keep trolling for another minute or so, giving the other rods a chance to hook up too. Once we’re moving away from the school, we circle back, stop the boat and start tossing anchovies and whatever else we have to keep the fish interested.
Then hang on.
It gets busy. Really busy.
It gets messy. Really messy.
It’s chaos at its finest.
Here are a couple of Bonito videos shot aboard the MEGA-BITE. Enjoy!
Roger Zardo offsite meeting charter video on YouTube
Greg Webb, Glenn Wilson and Tom Dolan hot on the Bonito bite video on YouTube
Table full of Bonito from the Zardo charter (above video)
What to Bring
Bring plenty of food and drinks—you could be offshore for a long day.
And dress for tuna fishing. There’s probably going to be blood, and there’s a good chance it isn’t coming out of your clothes. Boots and waterproof slicks or bibs are highly recommended. Otherwise, wear pants you won’t mind tossing when the day is over.
If the tuna cooperate, expect a long day, tired arms, a bloody deck and one heck of a fishing story.
