I was woundering if you can catch tuna at night and how hard is it to do. Some friends of mine wontting to try for them and will be going in 15 day's from now. What water temps should i look for and water around then and how far do we have to go out to catch them. Do we have to run to the gulf to catch them. whats is the best live bait to use and how do you rigg for them. live bait and trolling and how do plainers works. Will they bite on top at night also. If you can answer some of my question s thank you if you can.

Typically you would want to see a eddie from the Gulf Stream comming off and having cooler water right next to warm water. Say 68-72 degree water finger near cooler water. This typically called a tempeature break.

You can catch them at night by chunking. I would set up for swordfishing with whole squid out and maybe a line out with menhaden on it.

You will need to go out 45-60 miles more than likely, unless bluefin are in the area.

You seem to have alot of questions, what do you have to start with?

Ok thank you, I havent went out yet to buy anythang yet but doing research before i do go out to buy. I do have a penn reel with 30 lb mono 6 ft boat rod and ugly stick, it has all most 400 yards of line on it. It's what i use in the bay for striper and bottom fishing for big flounders ext...

Will a penn gti 330 combo set up do the trick? I was thinking of buying something in that range for the trip.

So how do i rigg for sword fish never seen the tackle, all most like the long liners long leadder and a 7/0 hook with a whole menhaden. Will i have to cut the bait and so it back shut with the hook face down in the water, and a gloe stick in front of the hook and slow troll, what size rod and real and line test. i am not trying to catch monsters tuna just table fair size say like 40lbs to 50 range. Will they hit on top with teasser baits. I went bass pro shop and looked at them online and saw them maid up with 100 lb mono and 7/0 hook and with different colors to choose from. price rang $5.00 and up. And saw the one with the metal lider one's for a dallor and half more with the cramps clamps at the to of the eye loop?

Will i be able to catch other fish like dolphin and whaoo also with this set up also ?

I do know what you are talking about with the tempeature break you can see it during the day time dark and dirty water and clean blue water, and caught a lot of fish off it down in hatteras off the beach.

And again thank you so much for helping this very new to me just want to land my first tuna and do not want go home skunk. And good luck if you are in the tournment this weekend.

Shawn,
Check out the how to section on rigging Ballyhoos and Conch27s blog on jigging. We use 80 diamond line topped with 125lb flourocarbon with wind on swivels. I would highly recommend you make the next meet n greet or jump onboard as ho the next time some is needing an extra crew member. This allows you to see first hand how a spread is trolled and ask as many questions as possible.

Shawn

Your in need of lots of gear. If you have a worthy boat, you might get someone to bring their gear out on your boat, or you could ride with someone else.

Now chunking is less gear intensive, but you still need more than penn gti. I would forget anything levelwind.
I would suggest at least Penn Senator 6/0 reels, with at least a 50# rod. When your fishing for tuna, your fishing for whatever size hits your bait. Also jigging during the day is an option, but it requires certain quality of gear also, along with knowledge.

These are all things that you should be easing into, 2 weeks is not alot of time.

I think the 6/0 is great choice. I spent the night out last summer and it was the most beautiful and frightening time I have ever had. We had flying fish jumping in our boat responding to the light we had strung overboard and gaffer mahi coming in and it was like fishing in an aquarium when we could just drop bait over the side in front of their nose and have them grab it as soon as it hit the water. The problem was the weather came up about midnight and with a sea anchor we were barely able to stay in the boat (a 27 Grady). It got pretty dangerous and going 50+ miles at max 15 mph makes for a long, bumpy ride. We made it but I think I would have sold the boat for $20 if I got an offer soon after getting in. I've changed my mind and actually want to try it again this summer. When I read your post I don't think as much about tackle as I do epribs and vhf with dsc with extra battery and backup everything. 2am out 50 miles is no place to find out your weak spots. On tackle I carried 3 4/0 avets, one 50, two 50 wides and a 10/0. I would suggest going out with someone else until you have a 50lb tuna under your belt and that should make it easy to decide how big the tackle should be.

I think maybe the best thing you could do is jump on a boat and see first hand...When i have open spots on an overnighter I'll post it and you jump on. Dale

I agree with above, I personally will desire to have a buddy boat the next time I do an over nighter, especially in my small boat.

Ive done it one time in a 24ft boat with reelax, but it was a lake the whole time out.

I hate to discourage anyone, but you might as already stated take this summer and try to ride along with someone, maybe a charter ( a good mate will show you just about anything you want to know). There's alot to it.

With the price of fuel, and everything that goes into it, you want to go fully prepared.

A couple ride alongs and some reading you'll be ready.

Hope this helps.

D

Thank you, all of you for the help I knew there was more to it and been trying to tell the guys that i am going with and they just do not understand every thing thats involed with it. They have not ever been at all. I even menttion about going by charter just to check it out and how it's all played out to be. I respect the water i understand when it blow alittle in deep water like that, seas can get bad fast. That was my number one fear is the weather and the boat opperations going south out that far out. Ok, so what is the going price for a trip like this all day cost ?

Shawn

I sent you a PM

Thank you for the help and the price from your buddy, i havent talked to the guys yet i am liveing for out of town to Pittsburg PA, for a long weekend. Most likely we are just going to stay in the bay and fish and maybe try for cobai and drum, then try for large flounder instead. Like i said again thank you for all the help and most likely i'll do a tuna trip next year by charter to see the big show in action first hand. I will post the report if any nice sized fish caught on the trip.


Thank you Shawn....

Cobia and drum can be fun also, and not nearly as gear intensive. Have you fished for them before?

Spade is another option

Yes i have fished for them my first cobai was 1/8 oz of being a citation 39lbs 15 7/8 oz, caught him around the red channle marker on the bay sided on the eastern shore i think 10 or 13 bouy. I was 14 or so, off basic 3 way or fish finder rig right with clam and live eels or spot, croaker, mullet? I havent fished for spades though always wanted to learn how. I herd its easy for what it sounds on here. Fish around the bridges / light towers with clam on a bobber rig in light to calm water condition and clear water.

I have caught pumpy drum but not big reds though. What is the best way to catch them in the bay, is it the same rig for cobai on a fish finder rig or 3way and a circle hook 7/0 or smaller? Ok how do i get a citation red or black sertafided with out having the fish in hand if i catch one out there when i go ? Do I take pic's of it with the measurement showing how long and the gurth.

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