By Capt. John Galvin
(Originally published Mar/Apr 2019)
Few big game species capture the attention of Northeast fishermen like the bigeye tuna. From the vicious strikes of a marauding wolfpack to the heartbreak from them exploiting a fault in your rigging, they are an enigmatic denizen of the deep that brings out the same reaction in all canyon fishermen, from novice to seasoned edge-runner.
While elusive and relatively unknown for many years, their frequency hitting the decks in the last 10 years has drastically increased thanks to technology, dissemination of information and simply more boats in the canyons than ever before. Many high-line boats from New England to New Jersey have dialed in their techniques for targeting these rotund members of the Thunnus genus and have consistently generated bites and put them on the decks when many others do not.
Before we discuss lure selection, spread, boat speed, etc., an explanation of their physiology and behavioral tendencies is needed. Bigeyes, compared with their cousins within their genus, are uniquely evolved for their environment and preferred forage: squid.
Residing primarily between 150 and 3,000 feet down in the water column, bigeyes are uniquely adapted to changes in both water temperature and oxygen levels and it allows them to chase squid and other species of prey through all levels of water. The cardiovascular system has “heat exchangers” that conserve heat in the colder depths and “turn off” when they are feeding higher in the water column. This allows them to maintain energy and performance. Additionally their eyeballs are unique adapted with an enlarged spherical lenses (much like swordfish) for feeding in low-light conditions.
Due to the fact that they reside in deeper, colder water, surface temperature of the water is not as paramount a factor
