While Jigging and Popping can be an effective
fishing technique virtually anywhere in the
world, there are certain spots that offer you the
perfect combination of the species that you want
to pursue and the captains who know where to find
them. Here are some of our top picks.
Over
the decades, few places in the world have earned
as big a reputation for Bluefin Tuna as Cape Cod
MA. Acres of feeding tuna and shoals of giants
cruising the surface are more than legends here-
they are a reality. In recent years, a large
influx of school sized tuna has created one of
the best recreational fisheries in existence
today.
Starting in late spring, bluefin follow their ancient migration routes and push their way around the tip of the Cape and fan out in search of the herring, mackerel, bluefish, pogies, and sand lances that take up residence in the nutrient rich waters. Throughout the summer and fall, waves of fish move through as they travel North and South, making it possible to target them from June through November.
Targeting bluefin and catching them, however, are two vastly different things. Bluefin are nothing if they aren't unpredictable. One day they can be more plentiful than one could imagine and the next they could be gone without a trace. One day they may feed with reckless abandon and the next they simply won't touch anything.
While the pursuit of bluefin can be frustrating at times, the payoff more than makes up for it. Battles with bluefin can be legendary and can sometimes last for hours. The speed and strength of these incredible fish are only topped by their will power, and when you are finally able to hook up with one you soon realize why they call it 'Tuna Fever'.
So if your target is bluefin tuna and you want to try your hand at jigging one up or casting to boiling schools of 100 to 200 pound torpedoes, make your way to Cape Cod and Stellwagen bank- you won't be disappointed.
Located
at roughly the halfway point on the Eastern
seaboard of the United States lies Wilmington
North Carolina and some of the best jigging that
the US has to offer. Species such as
amberjack,
grouper,
mahi
mahi,
tuna (blackfin,
bluefin, and
yellowfin),
snapper,
wahoo,
cobia,
and
African
pompano
can all be targeted when fishing here.
Because the area's fair weather, most local captains run fast center console boats making it possible to cover a lot of ground in a day of fishing. Countless inshore ledges and wrecks offer ample opportunity to catch multiple species and the cobalt blue of the gulf stream lies only 70 miles away. Typical water depths range from 250 to 350 feet, so a range of jigs can be used.
While there is literally no bad time to fish in Wilmington, the spring and fall are the most popular seasons as during those times some of the largest amberjacks in the world take up residence offshore. On many days 70-80 pound jacks are considered by-catch, and world record contenders are a realistic possibility.
They call this area the land of the pain, and after a day offshore you will understand why. So...are you ready for the pain?
Cape Cod & Stellwagen Bank, Massachusetts USA
Starting in late spring, bluefin follow their ancient migration routes and push their way around the tip of the Cape and fan out in search of the herring, mackerel, bluefish, pogies, and sand lances that take up residence in the nutrient rich waters. Throughout the summer and fall, waves of fish move through as they travel North and South, making it possible to target them from June through November.
Targeting bluefin and catching them, however, are two vastly different things. Bluefin are nothing if they aren't unpredictable. One day they can be more plentiful than one could imagine and the next they could be gone without a trace. One day they may feed with reckless abandon and the next they simply won't touch anything.
While the pursuit of bluefin can be frustrating at times, the payoff more than makes up for it. Battles with bluefin can be legendary and can sometimes last for hours. The speed and strength of these incredible fish are only topped by their will power, and when you are finally able to hook up with one you soon realize why they call it 'Tuna Fever'.
So if your target is bluefin tuna and you want to try your hand at jigging one up or casting to boiling schools of 100 to 200 pound torpedoes, make your way to Cape Cod and Stellwagen bank- you won't be disappointed.
Cape Cod Bluefin from Jigstrong on Vimeo.
Wilmington, North Carolina USA
Because the area's fair weather, most local captains run fast center console boats making it possible to cover a lot of ground in a day of fishing. Countless inshore ledges and wrecks offer ample opportunity to catch multiple species and the cobalt blue of the gulf stream lies only 70 miles away. Typical water depths range from 250 to 350 feet, so a range of jigs can be used.
While there is literally no bad time to fish in Wilmington, the spring and fall are the most popular seasons as during those times some of the largest amberjacks in the world take up residence offshore. On many days 70-80 pound jacks are considered by-catch, and world record contenders are a realistic possibility.
They call this area the land of the pain, and after a day offshore you will understand why. So...are you ready for the pain?
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