Albacore fishing, West Coast Partyboat style!!

The Albacore tuna, Thunnus Alalunga, is an amazing fish.  Not regarded for it's fighting capabilities when compared to some of the other tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, big eye, etc), but what they lack in fighting ability they certainly make up for it with their WFO bites, their vast range, and when caught on the proper tackle they do put up quite a tussle.  On the west coast of the United States, Albacore can be found from below the Mexico/US border all the way up to Canada and Alaska during El Nino years.  Typically their northern run ends at Washington where they turn west an head back towards Japan.

An Albacore that fell to a pink/white trolling jig

Party/charter boat Albacore fishing

Partyboat fishing for albacore is a much more fun experience than catching them on private boats in my opinion.  The reason for this is that you are able to catch them with a wider variety of techniques than you are able to on a private boat. What the partyboats have that the private guys do not, is a huge live-bait capacity which allows the crew to continuously chum to keep the school around the boat for long periods of time.  Yes one is able to catch Albacore on live-bait from a private boat but it is damn near impossible to hold the school around the boat for extended periods of time.

Below I will outline the tackle required for this type of fishing as well as how to rig each setup.

The Kahuna out of Moss Landing, CA.

Trolling:

Generally speaking, 50# is the standard for northern California party boats.  Some guys go heavier but most boats will not let you go lighter (there is a reason for this which will become evident in a bit).  The Long Range fleet out of San Diego usually trolls with 80#+ as there is more of a chance of hooking a stray bluefin/yellowfin/carp (marlin).  The theory about using heavy tackle for trolling goes something like this: the hooked troll fish gets winched to the boat with the heavy tackle; the school then follows this fish because they believe he has found food, when they follow him towards the boat the live chum will then entice the school of fish to stay with the boat.

Calstar 765L

Good rod choices include rods from Calstar, Phenix, Seeker and a few others.  There are plenty of companies out there who produce rods that will certainly do the job (hell, more albacore have probably been landed on uglystiks than any other rod) but it certainly has it's advantages to have a quality rod.  The main difference in quality rods vs bargain is going to be specifically designed actions and the quality of components that adorn the rod.  Personally, I stay away from roller guides because it is not necessary for these fish and it is nice to not have to maintain them.  The level of inserts available for today's rods are more than sufficient.  Popular rod models include the Calstar 655H which is rated 30-80# and is 6'6".  Another great Calstar rod is the Grafighter 765L.  Anything that is from the above companies, is 6'-6'6" and carries a 30-80# rating will be perfect for partyboat Albacore trolling.

  

Accurate ATD Two-Speed reel

Reel choices are very dependent on your budget.  The Penn 114H is an excellent entry level reel.  This coupled with a Calstar glass rod and straight 50#-60# line will work just fine.  Other reels that are popular include:

Shimano: TLD20, TLD25, TLD20II, TLD30II, Talica 12 and 16 as well as the 12II and 16II, and the Tiagra 16, 20, 30, and 30WLRS

Penn: 114H, 114HW, International 12, 16, 20, 30, or 30W.  Also the Graph-Lite 20 and 30.

Accurate: ATD12, ATD20, BX2 30N, BX2 30 or the Dawg versions of these BX2 reels.

Okuma: This company has been the red-headed step child of the tackle industry for as long as I can remember. Recently they began working with Tiburon Engineering out of southern California and since that collaboration, their reels have become some of the best out there.  Models that I would recommend are: Makaira 10IISEa and 15IISEa.  The special edition reels have a few improvements that greatly improve on the original design.  Some of these improvements are: open bearings that are packed with grease, an over-sized handle for more comfort, TSI301 lubricant on the spool bearings, and a frame that was machined out in such a way as to allow for the reel to be completely loaded with line.

Tiburon:  Their SST smart-shift reels are an amazing product.  You can pre-set the amount of pressure exerted on the handle required to automatically shift the reel into low gear.  When the pressure lets up, the reel automatically shifts back into high gear. This allows you to always be in the proper gear as well as making it mindless to maintain pressure on the fish.

Avet: Pro EX30/2 and the HX/2

Daiwa: Saltist lever drag

Line:

This is truly a personal preference. I prefer Berkley Big-Game as well as Izorline.  I run about 50yards of either one of those brands of line over Jerry Brown/Izorline/PowerPro spectra.  The reason I choose those two brands of monofiliment is because of consistency, cost and availability.  

Zucchini SevenStrand clone

Lures:

The Zuker Zucchini Broom Tail is without a doubt my all time favorite trolling jig. I always have one rigged.  
Zuker: Zucchini Broom Tail, Jerry Garcia broom tail, pink/white feather, root beer feather, Mexican Flag feather.

Sevenstrand zucchini clone, Jerry Garcia clone, mexican flag, Mean Joe Green.

Cedar Plugs: you only need the medium size in the natural, unpainted pattern.  

Cedar Plug

Hex/jet-heads: same color patterns as the clones/feathers.

Rig these up with 100-150# 5' leaders with 7/0 Mustad 7982 double tuna hooks. Clip this leader onto a Sampo ball-bearing snap swivel that is tied onto the end of your line.

Mustad 7982 Double Tuna Hook

Choosing what type of lure to troll is a question I get quite often.  When choosing a lure, look at how much sun light you have, how rough the water is and ask the crew what has been working lately.  If it's grey-light to early morning or if it is very overcast and/or foggy, I will choose a darker lure.  If it is bright out with no cloud cover, I will run a brighter color.  The reason for this is that with little light, a darker colored lure is going to be more opaque than a lighter lure and an opaque lure is going to make a better silhouette against a dark sky.  After you determine what color you are going to run, look at the water conditions.  The rougher the weather, the heavier the lure you will want to use.  Zukers are on the lighter side whereas the clones and cedar plugs are heavier.  

There are additional lures that you can troll, such as Rapala's, Braid runners, and other fish imitators. Most partyboats won't let you use these types of lures as they have a propensity to tangle more often. These lures are an excellent addition to a private boater's spread though.

Albacore Candy aka Anchovies

Live bait:

Live bait fishing for any type of tuna is one of my favorite ways to catch them.  If you were to choose only one setup for live baiting albacore, I would choose a 7-8' rod which is rated for 25# line.  Something like a Calstar 700L or 800L, SuperSeeker 70L, or if you we're to choose glass, a 270 or 270-8 from either of those companies will fit the bill perfectly.

There are tons of reels you can choose from for live bait fishing albacore.  Whether or not you use spectra backing will determine what size reel you choose.  You will want 300yards of line in any combination of straight mono, spectra/topshot, or spectra/leader.   If you load an Accurate 400N with 300yards of 40# braid and top the reel off with 50yards of 25# monofilament, you are in good shape.  Below I will break down the two camps' (straight mono vs. spectra backing) reel choices.

Spectra backed reels:

Accurate: 400N, 400, 500NN, 500N

Penn: 975 International CS, Fathom 15 and 25, Squall 15

Okuma: Andros 5ii

Avet: SX, MXL,  MXJ, MXL

Shimano: Tranx, Trinidad 12, 14, 16N, Calcutta 400S, Talica 8

Straight Monofilament

Accurate 500N, 500

Penn: 500jigmaster, Fathom 25

Avet: MXL, JX

Shimano: TLD 15, TLD Star 15/30 or 20/40, Talica 10 or 12, Calcutta 700S, Trinidad 16 or 20

There are other reels from these and other manufactures that will work. I listed these reels because with my 20years of offshore fishing and 15 years of tackle shop experience, these reels consistently perform and I have heard first hand the successes and failures of the various reels available.  Long-story short, other reels will work, this is what I recommend.

Another note about these reels: you may have noticed that I did not list the 2speed versions of these reels (sans the Okuma Andros, as that is only available in a 2speed configuration).  The reason I choose one speeds is that with the lower drag settings used with lines such as 25#, you should never have a time where you cannot turn the handle.  If you are a little older, or if you take your kids fishing, you might want to look into the 2speed versions.

If you pick two setups (one trolling, one live bait) from the above recommendations, you will be set for albacore fishing.  With that being said, I usually bring 5 or 6 setups on an albacore trip.  I don't do this to show off my tackle collection, there is actually some sound logic behind it.  Here are the additional outfits that I bring along

20# live bait setup:  This finesse live bait rig can be essential to getting bit if you are using small baits, or if you're fishing a plunk (where the tuna hang away from the boat and won't fully commit). My rod choice for this is a Calstar GX8, but there are plenty of rods from both Calstar and Seeker that will fit the bill.  Reel choices should include reels that are similar in size to the Accurate 400N, Shimano Trinidad 12 or 14, and the Avet SX.

Another 25# live bait setup:  This is essentially a clone of your other 25# live bait rig.  Having this setup ready to go can be a game changer for you.  Instead of taking the time to re-rig after you land a fish, just put the rod aside and grab your cloned setup and get back in the water.  Additionally, you will get tangled and/or sawed off during a battle with one of these fish if the bite is good.  It happens. Being able to wait until the next troll rotation to re-rig that setup is a very nice convenience.

30# Slide rig:  Fishing the slide is a way to add a few more albacore to your daily tally.  The slide is the magical period from the moment a troll rod's clicker starts to scream to the boat coming to a halt.  The moment you hear a clicker start to go, toss out a swim bait away from the boat about 20' and let the lure slide back about 50'. Put your reel in gear and hold on as the boat's momentum trolls your swim bait along.  At this point the boat will still be slowing down and if the troll fish is being winched in, there is a great chance that an albacore will find your swim bait as it starts to sink. If you don't get bit, wind the swim bait back in at a steady, but quick pace.  Don't burn it back in, just reel it back steadily and quickly.  

Rod choices for this technique is something in the 8-9' range.  I prefer a longer rod because the #1 way to piss off a deckhand is to tangle the troll lines with your slide lure.  The longer length allows me to stay out of the way of the trollers but lets me move my line over them with ease if need be.  Another advantage of a longer rod is that generally speaking, the action of the rod is going to be a bit more moderate/parabolic.  A fast action rod can pull the swim bait away from the fish on a strike before they get it fully their mouth.  I really like the Calstar 800 and 900M, the SuperSeeker S 36-8 and SS890-9.

As for reels, I like and use the Trinidad 16N from Shimano.  An Avet JX or an Accurate 500N are also great choices for this application.   On the lower end of the price spectrum, nothing beats a TLD Star 15/30 for the money ($100).

40# Iron:  Fishing for albacore with an iron is almost a lost art.  Not too many people do it, but it can be extremely effective.  One of the most epic, WFO bites I ever experienced was out of Morro Bay where I put 14 albacore on the deck, all on iron, before 8am.  I used a Calstar 800H rod that I built for this application for many years.  When I built the rod I cut 3" off of the butt and 3" off of the tip. This 7'6" rod was perfect for me at the time.

My Vertical Jigging setup. Accurate SR12 with a United Composites

 CAJ601

 I have since adopted the Japanese style of vertical jigging which has proven to be much more effective and WAY more comfortable to fish.  I use a spinning reel for this but a conventional setup will do the job just the same (personal preference). If you are to use a spinning setup, be prepared to drop some coin on a high-end reel.  $600 is really the starting point on reels (yes a more inexpensive reel will work, but if you want to do it right, that is what you will have to spend).  

Conventional Reel Choices: Accurate 500XN and 600XN, Jigging Master PE4, Daiwa Saltiga 20, Shimano Trinidad 20. 

Spinning Reel Choices: Shimano Stella 10000 and 12000, Accurate SR 12 and SR20, Daiwa Saltiga 4500H and Dogfight, and the ZeeBass series of reels.

Rods: Rods for this type of fishing are rated on a PE line rating system and specified gram weights for the lures to match with the rod.  The PE line rating is based on diameter and not breaking strength. If you multiply the PE number by 10, it will get you in the ballpark of it's breaking strength.  You will also want a rod that can work a 75-125gram jig. Something 5'2" - 6', with a PE rating of 3-5 will be ideal for jigging up some albacore.  Rod brands to look at (both spinning and conventional): Spinal, Synit, Phenix Titan, United Composites, Jaws, Hots, Carpenter, Black Hole, OTI.  I am personally a huge fan of OTI and United Composites.  The other rods are also exceptional, but they carry huge price tags.  

In the future I will be writing a post delving deeper into vertical jigging, it's purposes, applications, and tackle.  Keep an eye out for that post if this style of fishing intrigues you.

If you were to use a "normal" fishing rod for this application, I would seriously consider a Calstar 700MH, or a SuperSeeker 6470. 

Terminal Tackle:

Trolling Lures: at least two trolling jigs; one light and one dark. One cedar plug. This is the minimum.  If you get addicted like I am, you will end up with 50+ trolling jigs (but only use a handful haha).

Live bait hooks: I prefer ringed hooks because it allows me to tie my favorite knot (San Diego Jam) while still maintaining a free swinging hook.  This provides a much more natural presentation.  My preferred hook is the Owner Flyliner and I carry every hook size from #6 to 3/0.  The size of the bait that you have will determine what size hook you use.  Other hooks that are popular - Mustad 94150, EagleClaw L118, and Gamakatsu LiveBait hooks.  I do not like circle hooks for albacore, this is my opinion but I just did not get the same hookup ratio that I do with J hooks.

Flourocarbon: Buy it. Use it. Love it.  Let's face it, tuna fishing is not cheap.  We go far offshore in search of these longfins, why not give ourselves every advantage we can.  A typical way to rig it up is to tie a small swivel or welded ring at the end of your monofilament an add a 5' section of flourocarbon to which your hook attaches to.  The way I rig it up is I use 15-20' of flourocarbon tied directly to my spectra backing for live bait; 10' tied directly to my backing on my slide rod, 5' tied directly to my backing on my iron setup. I do not use flourocarbon for my trolling rig as I have never seen it be necessary.  I feel there is too much prop-wash for the tuna to be able to see the line. 

Another advantage of flourocarbon is it's superior abrasion resistance.  Protecting yourself from cutoffs from the tuna's teeth, the hull of the boat, and other anglers is paramount in this style of fishing.  

Rubber-core/Split-shot:  being able to add a little weight to your live bait rig can make you the top stick on the boat if you're in a plunk or if the bait does not want to swim.  

Swim baits: 2oz triangular lead heads mated to 5" swim baits in the "Channel Island Chovy" color

Channel Island Chovy Swimbait

Irons:  For albacore, the only iron I use these days is the PLine Laser Minnows which is essentially a copy of the old Megabait irons.  I usually use the Green Mackerel color pattern in the 3-5oz size (depending on the swell and depth of the tuna).  I change out the split rings to Owner Hyper-Wires and replace the treble hook with a 5/0 Mustad 9510XXS Siwash hook.  If you prefer an assist rig, use the Owner 5/0-Medium length hooks. 

Megabait Iron with the Mustad 9510xxs hook.

Flex-wrap: Finger tape to protect your digits.  

Comfortable Rubber boots: I prefer Xtratuffs.

Outerwear: Albacore fishing can be both cold and bloody.  I usually wear a Grundens slicker set to keep me dry and warm

Pliers: bring two pair in case one goes into the drink.

Extra set of clothes: It is really nice to change out of your fishing clothes into some shorts and flip flops after a hard day of fishing.

Extra ball cap: The albacore grounds can get really windy and I've seen many hats get blown into the ocean.

A cooler:  You will want a good sized cooler to transport your catch home.

Tackle bag: I like the soft tackle bags that hold the Plano boxes. 

Small tool kit: Should consist an assortment of screwdrivers and wrenches to work on your reels should something go wrong out on the water. A Crimper to make your trolling leaders. Loop protectors for your crimped loops.  Crimps that match whatever size leader you choose for your trolling leaders. Also, carry a variety of replacement rod tips, tip cement and a lighter.  Tuna fishing can get chaotic and being able to repair a broken rod tip while out on the water can keep you in the game.

There you have it folks!  This is the intro into the tackle needed for Albacore fishing aboard party boats out here on the west coast.  Keep an eye open for more posts about the actual techniques used to catch albacore, vertical jigging, Long Range fishing, private boat fishing and much, much more!