Special thanks go to my friend Patrick
for this
excellent article on local chunking techniques. Here it is!
Find the
hot spot and anchor up. (Most important part - HOT SPOT)
Get two 25lb. flats of butterfish, chunk into 3-4
sections per fish
Toss out a couple chunks every couple minutes (wait
till you can't see the chunk anymore and then toss out a couple more)
I use 11/0 circle SILVER hooks (if the hook tip is out,
it can't be seen against the silver butterfish)
use 10-12' of flouro leader (have 30,40,and 60#s on
hand, they can get finicky with the leader), swivel to line (50# of 400-500 yrds
on the reel, again it's just my preference)
Use a whole butterfish for hook bait and cut the tail
off (so it doesn't spin)
Sink one to the bottom with weight (about 15-20' away
from the bait) and crank it up 10-20 turns on the reel
Depending on current and depth, 25-40' to weight,
20-40' to balloon and set it off the stern 40-50'. You just want the chunk to
sit in the same path as the chunks you toss out. You'll have to play with it.
And Hand line a chunk out with no weight (maybe stuff
small pieces of some cork or packing peanut in it's mouth if it sinks too fast.)
It's all about looking natural in the same part of the water column with your
chunks. When you think it's too far, reel in and start over.
I'm sure I missed some things and others do it
differently and like I said, I'M NO EXPERT, but that worked pretty well for me.
Hopefully some of the real Guru's will chime in with their secrets.
Remember, the most important thing is to find the
hotspots & get there early!!!
Good luck and share the reports!!!
Patrick
Pat N Mike
More Chunking Information
Terminal Tackle for Tuna Chunking