Go where the bait is: You won’t find albies if you don’t find their food. If you are reaching fish and swimming metal lures past their noses but failing to get a response, you might want to try soft plastics. Albacore can be found in the ocean. It’s almost impossible to reel a lure too fast for an albie to catch it, and they often react positively to the straight-line speed of a “fleeing” lure. This could mean choosing a lure with a different shape or color, or simply giving it a different action. It’s almost impossible to reel a lure too fast for an albie to catch it, and they often react positively to the straight-line speed of a “fleeing” lure. In combination with my personal experience and review of scientific research, here are 7 tips to help you catch false albacore. …But Sometimes Slow it Down When they are focused on eating one food item, anything that isn’t the same size, color and profile will be totally ignored and only a near-perfect match will score a strike. Go where the bait is: You won’t find albies if you don’t find their food. Running and gunning is, sometimesß, necessary, but don’t make it a necessary evil. But if it’s not chrome, wrap the shank with some HVAC foil tape to maintain the imitation of the lateral line. The sudden slackening of the line causes many anglers to assume that the fish has broken off or the hook has fallen out. Slug-Gos and similar soft-plastics can’t be cast very far, so fish them on a 7-foot, light-tip spinning rod and 8- to 10-pound line with a 2-foot, 20-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. Keep it tight: Albies have a very crafty trick of ripping off line and suddenly doubling back toward the boat. In my mind, running-and-gunning with a bunch of competing boats takes all the fun out of albie fishing. They don't stay in a zone for long, so consider any you catch from the beach a trophy. However September is in my opinion the best month for chasing albies. Not only does this fish of the Mackerel family have many common names but one of the common names is actually the name of another fish that looks similiar. View All Result . These Fish Eat Flies. First comes the hunt for the fish. It's usually a run-and-gun fishery as the fish bust large schools of bait. When scouting for fish, focus on areas where small baitfish—e.g., bay anchovies, peanut bunker, silversides, or baby butterfish—are abundant. Stumbled on this and it proved to be highly productive when they are focused on those small baits. F ishing for False Albacore is a group of relatively simple steps, but those steps are non-negotiable. Top spots are located off Key West and Islamorada. The albacore (Thunnus alalunga), known also as the longfin tuna, is a species of tuna of the order Perciformes.It is found in temperate and tropical waters across the globe in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. I instantly fell in love and told myself....someday I will live there. …Or Stand Out in a Crowd Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Designed & Developed by Visit New England, Designed & Developed by Visit New England. “False Albies” as they are called are another perfect fighting fish and are a welcome addition to our late summer and early fall fishing lineup off Cape Cod. I always prefer a stiff west wind when albie fishing. Switch ‘em up: It takes a nearly impossible show of willpower to put down your rod and tie on a new lure or fly when albies are busting all around the boat, but the best albie fishermen somehow find it within themselves to keep changing lures until they find the one that works. A slower retrieve can help keep your bait in front of feeding fish for a longer period of time, increasing your chance of a hookup. The ability to reach a bunch of albies when they pop up on the surface is often what separates the guys who catch from the ones who don’t. Commonly called bonita, false albacore, or little tuna, it resembles the Atlantic bonito, skipjack tuna, and species of mackerel. From shore, casting distance is almost always necessary to reach fish. The smaller 1L or .85 oz versions in silver or blue tape … It is under stress, especially in the last few years, meaning that there are rules to the harvest. If you are unsure about which species you’ve got in front of you, take a few moments to observe the school before making a cast. False albacore are a pelagic species and are a member of the Scombridae family. All Rights Reserved. There is a reason why the lingo fishermen use to talk about false albacore sounds like it’s from an out-of-date mental health textbook. Surf fishing for false albacore is a special challenge, the pinnacle of the sport, calling for fast, long, accurate casts. Just cut it off the snapper rig and use as is or just use the tube and up size the hook. …But Sometimes Cast Blindly False Albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus), also known as Little Tunny, Albies, Bonita, and Fat Alberts, are members of the Scombridae family, in the Euthynnus genus; somewhere in between true Tuna and Mackerel. Be ready to start your retrieve or begin a two-handed strip as soon as your offering hits the water. There are no truths when it comes to figuring out false albacore. Anglers use fly-fishing gear to catch the swift, elusive fish. Don’t go too light: Many anglers, particularly fly fishermen, make the mistake of using too light a leader or tippet in their quest to fool albies. For the fly use that tiny surgical tube (natural amber latex) you see used for snapper bluefish rigs. The false albacore is a member of the wide-ranging tuna family and can be found in subtropical waters around the world. False Albacore, Little Tunny, or Bonito The fish picture to the left is probably the most confused fish around. Waquoit: If fish are trending east, Waquoit is a good first place to take a peak, especially if fishing is … ... Everything you need to know to catch false albacore and green bonito on … On a cold New Hampshire winter 25 years ago I watched an episode of The Walkers Cay Chronicles filmed at Harkers Island catching false albacore. The “secret weapon” in question is the soft-plastic Zoom Fluke—specifically the 5 ½-inch, pearl or olive-over-pearl version rigged “Texas-style” (i.e., weedless, without additional weight). Other times, even the best match gets ignored because there’s simply too much bait in the water. Florida Inshore Fishing: Catching Bait to Landing Snook, Jacks & False Albacore. Technique. Just when you think you have the formula locked down, the attitude of every albie in the area will inexplicably make a 180-degree turn. Stealthiness aside, fishing from a kayak forces you to be patient, since running down every school that pops up isn’t an option. I was once badly outfished by a partner throwing exactly the same metal lure. After 20 minutes of fruitless casts with metals and soft-plastic baits, I confidently pulled out my secret weapon, a clear-plastic casting bubble half-filled with water that had a tiny bay anchovy fly on 10-pound-test fluorocarbon trailing 3 feet behind it. August 26, 2016 False albacore are a late season favorite among New England fishermen. Occasionally, the stars align and albies let their collective guard down, striking a range of lures with abandon, and every fisherman in on the action will have multiple hookups. I’ve seen wooden needlefish plugs produce when albies are blitzing on peanut bunker, and I’ve seen hot-pink lures outfish natural shades. Stick stubbornly to one method or tactic, and you’ll endure long fishless stretches while you wait for the fish to come around to you. Match the hatch for those half-inch bay anchovies – think float and fly! Run-and-gun ain’t no fun: If you arrive at the albie grounds to find a dozen boats racing all over the place, look for another place to fish. Other islands include Keywaydin Island, which is the longest unbridged island in southwest Florida and has a lot of natural habitats, and Kice Island and … It’s the middle of the fishing season, and time to start thinking about bonito and false albacore. Start with a long spinning rod (at least 7 feet for boat fishing and 9 feet for shore fishing) that has a soft tip and pair it with a spinning reel loaded with 30-pound-test braided line. You can improve your chances of catching these elusive fish by using the right tactics and techniques. A popular method of catching this species is by using fly-fishing equipment because it is reported to be especially challenging and a lot of fun. If you’re a spin-fisherman, keep your bail open, your finger on your line, and your eyes peeled, ready to launch a cast. Once, when albies were feeding on tiny bay anchovies, a large Swedish Pimple produced strikes when nothing else would. Last year, few false albacore were around but local anglers caught their share of bonito. …But be Willing to Sacrifice Distance Sign up for our FREE Fishing Reports Today! It was the only hit I had that day. As well as a large amount of anglers migrating for a fast catch. The first 3 things you need to have is light rods, heavy line and lots of muscle. The weight and resistance of a heavy fly line being pulled through the water will most likely cause a light tippet to part. But albies are famously fickle and difficult to catch, which makes hunting them fun and landing one incredibly rewarding. Albies can absolutely be caught by blind-casting, and there are times that it’s a good idea to keep firing off casts. In fact, it can actually help you catch more albies. Plenty of Opportunity. They are a hard-fighting species that resemble tuna. Blind Pass is one of the best shelling spots in Florida. At these times, there might be only one tactic, lure or style of presentation that is the key to unlocking their jaws. In other words, don’t expect them to hang around if there’s nothing to eat. False albacore are almost always looking up, so keep your bait high in the water column, even skipping it along the surface at times to attract an albie explosion. Then, there are the times that I’ve stood ready, waiting patiently to launch a cast, and the angler next to me gets lucky by firing off casts in the general area where the albies last appeared. The fork-tailed speedster known as the false albacore invades the inshore waters of the East Coast each fall, with action starting off Massachusetts and moving down to the Carolinas. There are techniques anglers will need to know in order to be successful. Albies are often picky with anglers and can be difficult to get a fly in front of, causing the obsession known as “Albie Fever”. Autumn is prime time to catch these ocean-going speedsters. Use that outfit to fling long-casting metal lures like the Deadly Dick, Kastmaster XL and Sebile Fast Cast. Slashes not slaps: Many anglers mistakenly waste their time casting to surface-busting bluefish in their pursuit of albies—and wind up losing a lot of lures in the process. However, false albacore will always keep anglers humble. There are also times when, unless you are casting into the biggest topwater blitz that pops up, you simply aren’t catching. Many inshore saltwater anglers enjoy fishing for false albacore. False albacore are incredibly fast swimmers, able to win in a fin race with any baitfish. False Albacore (sarda sarda) are known by many names around the world, including Atlantic bonito, little tunny, albie, Atlantic little tuna, Atlantic little tunny, bone-eater, and mackerel tuna. Albies, like most members of the tuna and mackerel family, are known for their excellent eyesight. False albacore are incredibly fast swimmers, able to win in a fin race with any baitfish. False Albacore Tuna Fishing, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Thursday, October 19, 2017, [File Photo: Thursday, July 6, 2017]. Slow it down: Somewhere in albie-fishing lore, a myth developed that a lure or fly must be retrieved at speeds approaching 90 miles per hour. If there is a secret to consistent albie success, it is to embrace their always-changing, two-sided nature. Its waters yield seashells that inhabit both … Truth is, a slowly retrieved lure, or even one that’s dead-drifted or twitched now and then, is more likely to get eaten. Map. Gifting. Miami Fishing, Bonito, Bonita, False Albacore Tuna, Thursday, 1-7-16, Miami Fishing Report & Charters, #Miami. When fishing for sport and you plan to release any fish, it is recommended to use barbless hooks that will make unhooking the fish easier and improve its chance of survival after re-lease. It is best identified by the dark spots appearing between its pectoral and ventral fins and "worm-like" markings on its back. There are no absolutes when it comes to false albacore. The greatest lesson I have learned from chasing false albacore in a kayak is that lacking an outboard motor is not a drawback. Up one second, down the next, they’ll strike with abandon on the incoming tide and ignore the finest presentations on the dropping tide. When albies pop up at the surface, you often have only a few seconds to launch a cast into the school. Even if you try to hang back and let the fish come to you, there will always be some bozo who comes blasting over to put the fish down. No so! While there is no doubt that albies will shy away from a heavy leader, going too light—say less tan 8-pound test—will usually lead to a lost or dead fish. I have rarely seen these lures fail to get a follow. Your email address will not be published. Once you get a false albacore to the beach, it is exhausted, its muscle full of lactic acid and is oxygen deprived, so if you plan to catch and live release, you need to do so quickly and properly. This species is a blast to catch on a 9-weight fly rod. Tempers eventually flare and strong words start to fly—sometimes in combination with sinkers. The most popular lures for bonito and false albacore can be broken into three categories: metals, soft plastic baits and epoxy jigs. Be ready to start your retrieve or begin a two-handed strip as soon as your offering hits the water. It has been a consistent winner season after season. The first rule of false albacore fishing is accepting that there are no rules, and that is what makes the unpredictable albie one of the most exciting gamefish in the Northeast. Fishing for false albacore is incredibly fun. Bottom line: if the lure you’re using continues to be ignored, don’t fish it. You can stand out by going larger or choosing a profile or color that doesn’t match what the albies are eating. Switch back and forth between what at times can seem like opposing advice, and you’ll improve your chances of adjusting to their attitude. Usually, they live up to their reputation as picky, keen-eyed lure snobs, boiling on bait but ignoring artificials. It may also randomly appear in Krobus' shop on Wednesdays. The Albacore is a fish that can be found in the ocean during the Fall and Winter in the early morning and at night. If you see bent fly rods all around and you’re holding a spinning rod, try fishing a fly by rigging it behind a casting bubble or hookless popper. Metals Metal lures such as Deadly Dicks, Swedish Pimples and stingers are perhaps the most commonly used lures for bonito and false albacore, but in my opinion, with the development of soft plastic and epoxy-based lures, the metals are now practically obsolete. False albacore migrate to this area come October. Their group behavior is influenced by the type of baitfish they are feeding on, the weather conditions, and the time of day, but it’s anything but predictable. This favors fly-fishermen, who can match the color and diminutive size of almost any baitfish, but spin-fishermen have plenty of artificial options to choose from as well. For whatever reason, the fish like a high-pressure system with a bit of surface chop to stir up the baitfish. This is why large-arbor fly reels are preferred in albie fishing, as they let you gather slack line very rapidly. Be respectful of other boaters, try to avoid running right into the fish and putting them down, and always be safe. Light tackle and flyrod enthusiasts love fishing for false albacore in Cape Cod’s waters. For example, one of my favorite memories of albie fishing occurred when I was kayak fishing just off a rocky point, with good numbers of fish feeding all around me. Villager Reactions Neutral Demetrius • Elliott • Leo • Linus • Pam • Sebastian • Willy. Patience has its limits, though, and there are times when albies are not popping up in predictable locations or moving with the tide, and drifting into a feed simply isn’t happening. If you do, it almost guarantees that just as you land your lure off the starboard side the fish will show up 20 yards off the portside. For example, if you are fishing from shore and limited to where you can reach with a cast, it makes sense to keep your lure in the water as much as possible. False Albacore is a very popular fish for the recreational fisherman. Also, there are times when albies will refuse to hit a fast-moving lure but will go nuts over a slow-twitched bait or even a paused soft plastic or fly allowed to sink in the water column like an injured baitfish. Sling a Slug-Go: I have been preaching the effectiveness of small, unweighted Slug-Gos for years, and people still don’t believe they work. You have the potential to catch a 20 lb. in other words …… you ain’t got a clue !!!!!!!!! The false albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus) goes by many names—little tunny, fat albert, bonito, spotted bonito—but whatever anglers call it, the species is prized for its blistering runs and sheer power.The smallest member of the Scombridae family, the false albacore is not a “true” tuna, of the genus Thunnus, and is, in fact, more closely related to the mackerels. Dawn and dusk patrol: It is, of course, possible to find albies feeding at any time of day, but I have generally had the best luck in the early morning and late afternoon. In a fleet of boats chasing albies, the few anglers who have figured them out will far outfish the rest. Next you need to look for water to be in the 78-50 degree range and remember that the colder the water the bigger the fish, sometimes weighing up to 4-5 pounds. When an albie breaks the leader or the hook pulls free, you’ll usually feel a distinct and sudden “pop”. Otherwise, the resistance of the line being pulled sideways through the water may cause a parting of the ways, or the hook may simply fall out. I have no idea why it worked, but it did. Search for the company on the internet, Your email address will not be published. White Zoom Flukes and similar soft-plastic lures rigged on offset worm hooks might not cast far but they have an action that will often trigger strikes when nothing else will. Hopefully this year the albies will move into Cape Cod in big numbers. February 15, 2021 If the fish are albies, you will often see their rounded backs and crescent tails as they slash through the school. You can generally tell the 2 species apart by their feeding style. Deadly Dick - The "classic" lure for funny fish. If you are fishing an area like an inlet or around a navigation buoy and the albies keep appearing within a focused area, then by all means, pepper it with blind casts. And if you are hesitant to put additional pressure on the fish, you will end up exhausting the fish beyond the point of recovery. That’s because albies, and indeed all predators, usually prefer to chase after injured baitfish, since they are more easily separated from the school and easier to catch. Unlike striped bass, seatrout, or bluefish, albies move fast. West is best: If you could choose the ideal weather conditions in which to chase albies, wait for the passage of a cold front. Jetties that stretch far out to sea afford great help in getting to the fish. Brian McCarty “Fishing, it makes us participants rather than spectators in nature. Trolling is also an effective means of catching false … More than any other gamefish in the Northeast, albies display a cohesive attitude when they school up and feed. False albacore sometimes stick around Cape Cod & the Islands into the month of November. The fish also seem to be easier to fool under these conditions, perhaps due to the refracting light of the moving water, which disguises the leader. Yes, starting with Rule #2 wasn’t a typo. Please login or start a membership to unlock the rest of this article. To help improve your odds, I offer the following tips, earned over many seasons of being frustrated by these seemingly diabolical late-season visitors. The little tunny feeds primarily on pelagic fish. The only difference was his retrieve: he would cast into breaking fish and do nothing, letting the lure sink for at least five seconds before beginning his retrieve. In other words, … Distance can be the difference, but it can also represent a trade-off for presentation. One of the best false albacore fisheries in the world is off the coast of Cape Lookout. The North Carolina state record for false albacore is a 32-pound specimen caught in 2015 off Morehead City. They are an important food source in South American, African and Mediterranean countries, but most East Coast anglers consider them inedible, making for a sustainable catch-and-release fishery. If you are looking to catch albies, then I would encourage you to try the areas mentioned in the above video. Fly-fishermen will never achieve the distance of a spinning-rod-launched metal lure, but they are often the high hooks in an albie blitz. Instead, you have to position yourself in a likely area and wait for the fish to come to the surface. From a boat, being able to make a long cast means you won’t have to run right up on a school and spook them with your engine. On my first cast, I had a perfect view as one of the biggest albies I’ve ever seen charged up behind my fly, launched from the water, and came down in an explosion of white water—its jaws clamping around my hookless casting bubble. If you have tried every fly or metal lure in your arsenal and still can’t get the albies to eat, rig a 4” white Slug-Go, Fin-S-Fish or Zoom Fluke on a worm hook and twitch it through the school.