Catching a giant bluefin on our boat with my boys is on my bucket list. I have a new trailer this year and am able to make the trek to OI, HI or Morehead City this Fall/Winter.
Looking for advice, intel, battle plan, buddy boat, etc.
I believe they settle in for the Winter down at Morehead City and that may be the best bet to catch up with them?

Captain jack,

Late november through January is prime time for Giant BFT out of Moorehead City in Carolina. The fishing grounds are very crowded with commercial fishermen but Recs definately can get in on some great action that time of the year.

#16 Old Salty planers with Islanders on 130# class fishing gear is the preferred fishing method down there. These fish are big and mean so be prepared for a lengthy battle as well as fighting all the boat traffic fishing along with you. It's kind of like Late December early january striper fishing when the bite is hot off the beach here in Va Beach.

That being said, we get a pretty good run of Medium (150 - 200# class) BFT out of here late november through December out around the hot dog, fingers, triangle wrecks, fishhook and the Nearshore area...

Good luck...Bob

I wouldnt be supprised if they werent out at the Dog or the hill now.I have had reports of the large bluefish around the Triangle wrecks the BFT usually arent far behind.

we were coming in from offshore on Wednesday and the neashore grounds (triangles, Hot dog, Fishhook area) looked really really fishy...lots of slicks and birds...if they aren't here yet, they will be soon....Bob

I'll be your Buddy Boat! Haven't fished them yet but planning on it... The biggest pain about MHC is running around the "Knuckle Bouy (KB) " (Cape Lookout Shoals) which is about 18 miles ESE. MHC is shallow water until you get around the KB, even on the lightest day you busting your butt for 18 Miles.

I am a BFT fisherman and tranplant from Cape Cod. I was out last Wed and hooked a football, so they are around. I was crusing to the 21 Figer and noticed some birds so I slowed down to see what's up. Sure enough the 30-50lb fish were doing their hide and seek game. After chasing them and casting into them for 2 hours I finally got one. I tried every lure I had with no luck? You name it, deadly dick, poppers, I even tried chunking and finally got one on a good old spoon! Lost it boat side but there were there all afternoon. I was exactly 14miles out of Rudee Inlet at the fathom curve. Good luck!

ps. get your feet wet first before going to NC for Giant's. Besides the costs of using Penn 130's, or 80's, it is something where you need to know exactly what you are doing when getting Giant's. You are much better getting a 200lb first to get the swing of things but then again nothing like beginner's luck

Capt Dan G.

[quote name='CaptDanG' date='Oct 26 2009, 09:51 PM' post='113345']
but then again nothing like beginner's luck

That is what I am counting on!
Seriously, I thank you all for the input and when I get a more definitive plan, I'll post and hopefully we can buddy boat. The Morehead City navigational info is new for me and I appreciate it.

I was thinking about Morehead City because it seems once they settle there for the Winter, you have a decent chance of getting on them if you get a decent weather window. The reports here always seem so hit or miss as they come past us in the late Fall. Maybe it is more certain than it seems here if you are really in the know?

Capt Jack... call us if you wanna boat up or I'll ride with you. I wanna hit the GBFT this year. We've been out MHC several times, the inlet is nice, deep water inlet nothing like OI or HI. We have the gear two 80's and a 130, we are planning to run three rod spread two out riggers, either a planer or shotgun. Most of the fishing is along the ocean side of Cape Lookout shoals, just around the knuckle bouy. You need to be there before first light with the spread out.... most of the fighting of these beast are done from a swivel rod holder.

Not to change the subject, but you caught my attention when you guys talked about 150 - 200 BFT at the Hot Dog, Triple bouys, etc. This area is accessable to me and I was wondering how they fish for these BFT at that location. You guys stated that the giants are a deep trolling proposition, is it the same for these fish? Sounds like they're there now or about to be. Thanks.

I will call you when I get more details worked out. Thanks for the info and the invite.

Ht, for the smaller bluefins I'd recommend Illanders with ballyhoo. Blue/white is good. Try a Tiki bar or Mini Bar in blue/white also. Typically what I've done is use the same gear I use for yellowfins, just upsize the baits and use fewer rods. If I normally drag 7 or 8 rods, I'd try 5, with a planer rod. I've caught bluefin inside of the CLT, within sight of the hotels on the oceanfront. In December. But the schools have gotten so much smaller and farther in between they can be tough to find. Also I'd recommend yo have a jigging rod to drop on any marks holding deep. Remember, don't bring a striper in your boat out there, the Coasties tend to frown on that! Good luck.

mike or phil,
there is a gap in the shoal you can cross!when i get back to the boat next weekend i will get you those #s!its a little west of your line from the inlet to the northern tip of the rock!

Awesome... Would love to have them... We were following a boat the first time out of MHC, we'll let's just say he had bigger set than me that day. That slough was white capped over.....

Phil

I'd like to have those numbers as well. Not sure if I have a big enought set to use them from what you are saying!
Jack
540-840-2691

We crushed them In Hatteras and In OI all on the high speed jigging 100 to200 lb plus blue fins ..Troll to find the marks then drop the jigs on them..!

Heres Capt.Ben In Haterras caught on high speed jig..!

George, bring up those 80's and lets go! If we get a good window, I might make a trip out to the triangle/hotdog in the next few weeks.

You got it Eric! FISH ON! Somewhere down the line I've gone from a fishing fanatic (or Marlin Maniac) to a collector of gently used, but well maintained fishing gear.