During the 2005 tuna fishing season, anglers
along the Virginia coast experimented with a little known method
for catching large bluefin tuna. The tactic was to slow troll a
rigged ballyhoo along the bottom where large bluefin had
congregated to feed on concentrations of bait.
Borrowing methods from local striped bass
fishing, anglers used a variety of rigs which put the bait near
the bottom. As in some other trolling practices, a 20'-50'
leader is employed, connected to the main line with a small
swivel capable of passing thru the rod guides and onto the reel.
A 28-32 oz. sinker is attached to the line by wrapping a rubber
band around the line or by attaching the sinker to the swivel
via rigging wire or floss.
This method works when the fish are holding
tight on structure perhaps feeding on small red hake or squid.
The technique is similar to boats that choose to drift a bait
deep while chunking over the same areas.
In 2005 I witnessed this technique first hand
with dramatic results. Within seconds of setting a line we were
hooked up. That fish was lost and we hooked up again or had
bites several other times. Unfortunately the fish left the area
within a few days and the hurricane season put an end to much of
the offshore fishing for the remainder of the year.
Deep Dropping Baits for Large Bluefin
Fishing for Bluefin Tuna
Fishing for Yellowfin Tuna
Daisy chains, spreader bars and other rigs for tuna fishing
Offshore fishing using spreader bars
Rigging Offshore Baits
Ballyhoo rigs
Cedar Plugs
Cleaning your Catch
Seafood Recipes
Fishing Reports
Fishing Techniques
GPS Coordinates