Fishing is tricky and requires knowledge, skill and patience. We cast our rod several times for hours and hours on the beach without a catch. Under the blistering heat, we troll and drift the fishing boat for several hours, trying almost every technique and using variety of lures to catch fish unsuccessfully ending all the effort. Our skin ‘burned’ due to the extreme heat. Sometimes some people mock at us. But we never give up. A true fisherman will never give up. It is important to know the techniques and methods that are used in fishing. To target and land a yellowfin tuna of even a small or medium size is an exciting adventure. The knowledge and skill will help you find and catch the fish. The most common techniques that are used in yellowfin tuna fishing are:
Trolling:
Yellowfin are ‘non-stop’ swimmers. Even if they are active or located in an area, we have to move or troll the vessel to catch them. Trolling has been used for centuries. In this technique baited lures or lines are deployed behind the fishing vessel. The large area that this method covers by the lures help fishermen find the fish. Different kinds of lures are deployed and presented in different ways and at different depths.
Chunking:
Chunking is a technique that involves cutting up pieces of bait fish, such as mackerel or squid, and throwing them overboard to attract fish. Yellowfin tuna are attracted to the chopped baits. And it will come up. Then it can be caught using rigged bait. In our dialect we call this technique koshaagen. You have to make sure that you are able to keep a steady amount of bait. According to our island fishermen, any bait or fish can be used for chunking. But the good piece of bait should be rigged on the hook.
Drifting:
The boat is drifted by the current and the current carries the bait. If the current is strong, you can adjust or control the drifting to target the fish. This method covers a large area for fish. Varieties of baits are used. Many fishing boats use more than one line while drifting. You can throw chums during drifting.
Jigging:
This is effective if fish feeds or stay at deeper depths. Metal jigs of different sizes and patterns are used to attract the fish. Reels and rods are used with braided lines. Normally, drifting is carried out for a specific period of time. Sinkers can be used in this technique.
Popping
Birds diving into water, breaching and busting on the surface, or school of feeding yellowfin tunas, then deploy the poppers. Retrieve in – “pop-pop-pause” rhythm. Try to ‘call’ them, attract them to hear the sound of ‘popping’ – and move it fast. Once hooked, it is one of the most exhilarating experiences of fishing.
Live Bait:
This is the most interesting method that I have experienced. While the boat is moving, we release the fishing line with a live bait rigged through the backbone of the bait fish. We throw it on the move. The strike, the swallowing of the bait and the aggressive run can be felt on the fishing line. You can experience the thrill and excitement of their immense power and this test will tell you that you are able to subdue one of the most aggressive swimmers in the ocean. This is an effective method if yellowfin prefer to feed on larger prey.
The score of success depends on many factors. The area where you are targeting, the size of the fish, weather conditions and the season as well. Yellowfin tuna can be caught with bait and lures. Many techniques will work. These tunas often feed near the surface so topwater techniques can be used.
