The Drift Report 6-3-2024
Welcome to Offshore Observations Drift Report.
A weekly newsletter to keep you in the loop on offshore (and inshore) fishing in the Northeast.
Another Beautiful Weekend in the Northeast
The tuna bite is slow but steady, with more fish showing up in the waters south of Martha's Vineyard. Several recreational-class fish have been taken at the canyons in the area of West Atlantis. There are also unverified rumors of recreational-class bluefin much closer to shore. Generally, the fish have been targeting spreader bars and trolled naked ballyhoo.
The commercial bluefin season opened this weekend as well. Several crews got on the giants in most major fisheries in the Northeast. Fish were landed from New Jersey to Rye, NH.
Gulf Stream Look
Who doesn't like looking at streams? The satellite shots from this past weekend were crystal clear and show a nice eddy about to set up for one of the Northeast canyons. Which one exactly? That's TBD, but in the next few weeks (pending a major weather disruption), we should see some hot water creeping in. My guess is one eddy creeps in from the west, and another sets up over the eastern canyons.
Tech Talk: Selecting the Proper Assist Hook for Jigging Tuna
Choosing the right assist hook for jigging tuna is crucial to maximizing your success on the water. Assist hooks play a pivotal role in ensuring that your jigging setup is both effective and resilient against the powerful, aggressive strikes of tuna. Here’s what you need to consider when selecting the proper assist hook for this demanding type of fishing.
Size and Strength
When targeting tuna, the size and strength of your assist hooks are paramount. Tuna are powerful predators that require robust gear to secure a catch. Opt for hooks made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or high-carbon steel. The size of the hook should match the size of your jigs and the anticipated size of the tuna. Typically, for tuna jigging, hooks ranging from 3/0 to 7/0 are appropriate. Ensure that the hook gauge is thick enough to withstand the intense pressure without bending or breaking.
Hook Shape and Point
The shape and sharpness of the hook point are critical for effective penetration. Assist hooks with a wide gape and a curved, needle-sharp point are ideal for tuna jigging. The wide gape increases the hook's holding power, while the curved point ensures deep penetration and reduces the chances of the hook pulling out during the fight. Additionally, look for hooks with chemically sharpened points, which offer superior sharpness straight out of the package and ensure optimal hook-ups.
Assist Cord Quality
The quality of the assist cord is just as important as the hook itself. The cord should be made of durable, abrasion-resistant material like Kevlar or Dyneema. These materials provide excellent strength and durability, essential for withstanding the rough mouths of tuna and the abrasive environment of the ocean. The length of the assist cord can vary, but generally, a length that positions the hook just above the body of the jig is ideal. This positioning enhances the jig's action and increases the likelihood of a solid hook-up.
Single vs. Double Assist Hooks
Deciding between single or double assist hooks depends on personal preference and fishing conditions. Single assist hooks offer simplicity and reduce the risk of tangling, while double assist hooks provide increased hooking potential. For tuna jigging, double assist hooks are often preferred as they improve the chances of a secure hook-up, especially when tuna strike aggressively and erratically. However, ensure that the rigging of double hooks is neat and that the hooks do not interfere with each other’s movement.
Hook Rigging
Properly rigging the assist hook is essential for maximizing its effectiveness. Ensure that the assist cord is securely attached to both the hook and the solid ring or jig. Using heat shrink tubing over the knots can help prevent slippage and protect the knots from abrasion. Additionally, some anglers prefer to add a small piece of shrink tubing or a bead to the hook eye to keep the cord in place and ensure that the hook sits correctly against the jig.
NOAA Shennigans
On May 29, 2024, NOAA implemented a final ruling regarding the fishing effort for Atlantic bluefin tuna. The gist is: For the June quota, there are no restricted days, and a limit of three tuna. After June, there will be four restricted fishing days: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday.
What does this mean for the fishery? For starters, this will signal a massive reduction in hooks in the water from July to January, effectively eliminating the recreational crowd. This will obviously extend the quota, but at what cost?
I expect to see a significant impact on the professional boats that run giant bluefin charters, drastically reducing their fishing days and thus their income. This could cause a significant economic hit to the tackle and bait stores that supply these outfitters.
One of the most alarming results of these rulings is the idea that quotas may not be filled. And if quotas aren't filled, you know what that means? The fishery can't be healthy, so here come more quota reductions, regardless of the fact that the weather pattern prevented fishing on 75% of the open days.
On a more positive note, reducing the recreational bluefin "let's pay for lunch" crowd will certainly reduce pressure on the fish stocks, and hopefully allow the actual commercial outfits to fish the quota during prime seasons when the fish command the most money (when they are fat in the fall).