When trolling doesn’t yield success and the fish are there but finicky, try offering them something with a little life to it. Nothing can entice a strike like a lively bridled bait, offering big tuna live bonito or small blackfin tuna could make all the difference. I have found that a bridled bait allows for a more natural presentation, as the bait swims more freely, lives longer and provides a much higher hook up rate.

Depending on the size of the bait use a 7\0 to 8\0 southern tuna hook, with a rigging needle thread wax cord tied in a loop through the top of the eyes and twist the hook into the loop on top of the head of the bait with the hook pointing up. I prefer about 130 pound mono leader for this rig. Slow troll or drift the bait with the reel just above freespool to allow the fish to have time to swallow the bait; counting to about five usually does the trick. Tuna tend to swallow their prey head first so having the hook pointing up will provide a solid hook up in the roof of the fish’s mouth. Other fish will also work very well for bait; another top choice would be a blue runner or hard tail jack.

Good luck and good fishing, but please remember to be good stewards of the sea and release for tomorrow.

Tight lines,
Capt. Derrin Ebanks
Captain Asley’s watersports
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