Pro Talk: Best Lures for Florida Blackfin Tuna

We spent 15 minutes on the phone with Capt. Travis Holeman to discuss the best Hogy Lures for catching Blackfin Tuna in the Florida Keys. Here's what we learned... 

Capt. Travis Holeman
Website: www.keywestangling.com
Facebook: Key West Angling

Location: Florida Keys

Season: Late summer/fall tuna push

Tides/Current: These fish are generally located in or very near the gulf stream.

Approach: Several methods are productive. Casting SI Epoxy Jigs at surface feeding fish is of course the most fun and easiest way to catch. However the tuna could be swimming near the surface, digesting the days feed.  In this case casting ahead of the traveling fish or trolling with long long lines to allow for wide passes can generate hits. When they are actively rounding up bait dropping jigs into the tuna is also productive.

Retrieve: If the fish are feeding on the surface a fast surface breaking retrieve is the one.  Waking fish will eat a long cast or troll that’s fast and only breaks the surface at the beginning to get noticed. Lots of times a well placed shot will get hit as it falls after a few seconds so don’t retrieve immediately.  If you don’t get results, get it moving. Dropping into fish 100-300 feet down is more of a count down and jig up game.  Often the bite comes on the drop.

Bait Selection: SI Epoxy Jig 4-6inch

Why This Bait? Most of the forage species are 4″- 6″ this time of year. The forage could be squid, flying fish and a host of others.

Colors: Green/silver, blue/silver, pink/silver, and black/silver art my go to colors

OUTFIT

Rod: Shimano 7′ Travala jigging rod light action

Reel: Shimano Saragosa 6000

Line: 30lb Power Pro Braid super slick

Leader: 40lb Fluorocarbon