Outdoors

Captain's Corner: Larry Hoffman

How to handle bluewater fish and where to look.

By LARRY HOFFMAN
Published June 26, 2007

What's hot: Bluewater fishing is heating up. With long stretches of good weather, large weed lines are forming 50 miles and further offshore. Marlin, wahoo, dolphin and sailfish are under and around the weed lines, which run north and south and sometimes stretch for miles. At other times, you will find only big patches. Marlin will eat dolphin, ship jacks and small tuna. Weed lines are like a nursery where small fish can hide and feed on plankton. Floating debris, tide rips and water temperature changes all draw bait fish. You will find predator fish in these areas.

Location: Bluewater fishing 45 miles offshore southwest of John's Pass, Treasure Island, is an area we call "Tuna Turnpike" for all the blackfin tuna we have caught the past 18 years. Fifty to 60 miles offshore is "Wahoo Way, " and 60 to 130 miles out is "Dolphin Drive." These areas produce good catches. Work an area over if you find any floating objects. Marlin fishing is best starting on the 100-fathom curve and working your way to the steps, 130 miles southwest from John's Pass. The steps are easy to find on a chart. It drops off from 100 fathoms to 1, 800 fathoms.

Tackle: For bluewater fishing, it should be at least 50- to 80-pound class terminal tackle. We prefer reels that can hold at least 800 yards of line. Smooth drags, fighting belts and chairs and a good set of binoculars are essential. Trolling lures are most productive because you have to cover a large area to find bluewater fish. Once you find fish, stay in that area until you are no longer catching them. Mark the area on your GPS and hit the spot again the next day.

Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail him at huffyl@tampabay.rr.com.

[Last modified June 25, 2007, 23:47:24]