The blackfin tuna decided to stick around a bit longer this year.

People always ask me when the best time to go fishing is and my response is "maybe tomorrow". We live in such an interesting place because you truly never know what the fishing is going to be like. It is crazy to think that within 1 mile of the inlet you can catch 30 different species of fish from bottom fish to trolling. That being said, there are seasons for many of the species. Most of the pelagic fish, such as blackfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi and sailfish can be caught year-round but the heavy concentrations of these fish are limited to seasons that generally last one to two months.

We have really noticed this year that the larger blackfin tuna have stuck around longer than usual. Pictured here is Erik Hughes with a tuna he landed a few days back. This fish was caught in 400 feet of water while trolling. This tuna ate a bait that was fished from a planer which brings the bait down around 40 feet deep. Surface temperatures right now in our area are pushing 90° temperatures which is an extremely hot surface temperature for tuna and this pushes fish deeper. We have had reports from anglers all week having huge success with catching fish down deep out of the heat.

Mixed in to the tuna catches have been wahoo and sailfish closer to shore. The mahi-mahi bite was much better farther offshore pushing 10 to 12 miles out into the gulfstream. The average mahi caught this week was around 6 to 8 pounds. The bonito bite has been insane first thing in the morning for the first several hours of fishing. Boats were catching as many as they could reel in.

Lastly, don't forget about the snapper fishing right now, which is excellent. Vermilion snapper in 200 feet of water is definitely a go to for the dinner plate. We use a chicken rig with four hooks tipped with squid. We drop down and hit the bottom and hold on! As you are trolling, pay attention to your depth finder and bottom machine to locate the schools of snapper.

If you need to get set up for fishing tackle and or bait stop by RJ Boyle Studio, and we will be more than happy to get you tight! For an up-to-the-minute fishing report tune into Big 105.9 the Paul Castronovo Papas Pilar Fishing report every Friday morning at 6:20 AM with RJ Boyle.

Get tight!

RJ Boyle