Fishing for tuna doesn't always mean a trip to Stellwagen Bank and lashing yourself to the fighting chair to do battle with a 600-lb fish. South of Martha's Vineyard the action is very good this season for smaller bluefin, in the 40-lb range, from 40-to-45". I spoke with Kevin Blinkoff, of On The Water Magazine, about a recent trip to target these "football" bluefin. Heading 10 to 15 miles south of the Vineyard, the crew was fishing in depths of about 140 feet. Key to locating the tuna schools was finding a seam of water where temperature transitioned sharply - in this case from 68 degrees to about 72 degrees.
The tuna are fished on relatively light gear, similar to what you might use to target big bluefish and striped bass. Topwater lures are trolled at about 7 kts, creating enough splash and fuss to draw the bluefin up to strike.
As a highly migratory species, bluefin tuna are carefully regulated, andspecific permits are required to fish them.
There's more information about going for bluefin, including rigging details and encouragement to check with local charters, in the audio posted above. Also in the audio, you'll find a complete rundown of local fishing action - including the latest on the recent surprise bonanza of big striped bass - fish in the 40-lb range - landed at the Cape Cod Canal in early August! Give it a listen.