Fishing for tuna in the Northeast isn’t just about luck; it’s about reading the ocean and its inhabitants. Whales, with their massive presence and dramatic feeding behaviors, often share the waters and baitfish schools with bluefin and yellowfin tuna. Recognizing and interpreting whale behavior can significantly boost your fishing success. Here’s a detailed look at what Northeast whale behavior tells us about tuna activity, including the social cues whales exhibit when they stop feeding.

Humpback Whales

Humpbacks are showy feeders, known for bubble-netting or lunging through bait balls. Their feeding activity is easy to spot and often overlaps with tuna feeding patterns. Nothing is a better indicator of near-by tunas than a group of bubble-netting Humpbacks.

Tuna Clues:
When humpbacks are feeding aggressively, tuna are likely working the bait from below. Tuna will pick off stunned fish falling from the chaos, often sitting just beyond or underneath the whale activity.

Social Cues to Watch:
When humpbacks stop feeding, they typically begin slow, synchronized dives, often traveling in a loose pod. You might also see fewer surface blows or more extended periods between surfacing. This can signal that the bait has dispersed or been depleted, suggesting it’s time to move or find another pod of whales.

Fin Whales

Fast and sleek, fin whales often target sand eels and krill. They’re less dramatic than humpbacks but just as valuable for tuna anglers.

Tuna Clues:
Tuna feeding near fin whales tend to hang deeper, capitalizing on the tightly packed bait schools. Sand eels are a favorite of bluefin tuna, and fin whales corralling them is a sign to start fishing below the action.

Social Cues to Watch:
Fin whales tend to break away from feeding patterns when the bait disperses. Look for changes in their swimming direction or speed—feeding pods often slow down or spread out when they’re done. If they’re moving consistently in one direction, they’re likely traveling, not feeding.

Minke Whales

Minke whales are subtle feeders, often moving quickly through schools of bait. Their behavior is less noticeable but no less important.

Tuna Clues:
When minkes are present, tuna may not be actively breaking the surface but are often lurking deeper. Tuna feed opportunistically on baitfish that minke whales disturb. Fish slow and deep when minkes are spotted, using your sonar to pinpoint bait balls or marks.

Social Cues to Watch:
Minkes tend to dive more frequently and surface less predictably when they’re done feeding. If their movements become erratic or they disappear from the area, it may be time to move on.

Pilot Whales

Pilot whales, often called "tuna hunters," directly overlap with tuna schools. These whales hunt squid and small fish, just like the tuna in their company. Pilot whales are most often seen around the Northeast Canyons in spring and fall.

Tuna Clues:
Pilot whales signal the likely presence of tuna nearby. Tuna feed on squid alongside pilot whales but will often stay deeper. Use squid-patterned jigs or teasers to mimic their prey.

Social Cues to Watch:
When pilot whales start traveling in a linear pattern or spread out from a tight group, they’ve likely moved on from active feeding. If you notice fewer dives and more surface milling, they might be resting or relocating to another bait source.

Reading Whale Behavior for Tuna Fishing

• Signs of Active Feeding:
  • Repeated surfacing and diving.
  • Tight groupings of whales in one area.
  • Birds circling and diving over the activity.
• Signs They’re Done Feeding:
  • Whales spread out or travel in a straight line.
  • Fewer surface blows or quieter water around them.
  • Birds abandoning the scene.

Where Tuna Feed Relative to Whales

Tuna position themselves strategically around whales depending on the type of bait and feeding behavior:

• Herring or Mackerel: Tuna sit just below the bait schools disrupted by humpbacks or fin whales. Jig or troll deep.
• Sand Eels: Tuna shadow the action at mid-depths. Use slender, sand eel-style jigs.
• Squid: With pilot whales present, tuna feed close to the same depth. Squid skirts and glow jigs excel in these scenarios.

Using Technology and Social Media

Fish Finders and Sonar: Use your electronics to confirm marks below the whales. Dense bait balls and tuna marks at mid-depths are your target zones.

Social Media Intel: Check Instagram and Facebook for reports of whale and tuna sightings. Shared photos and videos can point you to productive areas.

AIS: Whales have been fairly abundant in the Northeast in recent years. As they become more elusive, monitor AIS for whale watching vessels. This can be a fairly reliable source for finding the whales.

The Big Picture

Understanding whale behavior gives you a massive edge in locating tuna. Observing feeding patterns, tracking bait movements, and interpreting social cues can help you decide when to fish, move, or stay put. Respect these incredible creatures, and they’ll guide you to the bite.

Keep in mind that sometimes the tunas just aren't with the whales. Many times we have seen better action following the birds and not the whales, and sometimes vice versa (all within days of each other). Fish the whales but don't be afraid to move on if you aren't feeling it.

Next time you’re offshore, keep an eye out for spouts, splashes, and signs of feeding whales—you might just land your next tuna thanks to their teamwork.