By Capt./Chef Lenny Strobel
The blackfin tuna is a streamlined, fast-swimming fish found in warm Atlantic waters mainly from North Carolina to the Florida Keys and out to the Bahamian waters. These tunas are known for their schooling behavior that is often seen near the surface. Blackfin tunas are a smaller tuna species that reach up to 50 pounds and have a dark blue or black back, silver sides and a yellow lateral stripe. They are distinguished from other tunas by their brown-silverish dorsal finlets and fewer gill rakes. They taste very good if they are properly harvested.
Because blackfin tuna can sometimes be shy around the boat, mastering a few different methods will help you get them to bite. Here are a few techniques that I recommend.
TROLLING
Trolling is highly effective when fish are scattered and you are in an area that you may not be familiar with. I like to send the baits or lures farther back when trolling and use a smaller profile presentation since these fish are not big. A 3- to 6-inch lure like feathers or cedar plugs, on daisy chains, spreader bars, deep divers or a planer set-up. My favorite lure brands are Black Bart, Sterling Tackle, R&R, Squidnation and Nomad.
Trolling small baits such as bonito stripes, squid and ballyhoo with a skirt in front is just as effective. The key is using very light leader material
