BFTs off Block Island

[venture]

Just heard a report of large schools of BFTs busting small bait south of Block Island 7 miles off the beach. Two 50 pound class bluefins were taken on fly.

This could be a chance for some of you who have small boats to get into the action this weekend. Just get to block Island, and go south looking for birds......cut the engines and start tossing cut butters, and toss the fly......

They are calling for very calm waters all weekend, so this could be the chance. I'm definately going..........

Howie

[Albiemanmike]

Venture,
I am seriously considering joining you out there this weekend if the reports are true. Last year I missed out on the BFT's when they made their early close in run but I am not going to miss it this year. What size boat do you run? I have been out to Block in my boat before but never any further than around the island. My boat is small but if weather is good it should be enough to get me into the fish. I have a 20 ft. Triton CC 130 Honda, I have chartplotter and Radio and the only thing that would keep me in would be heavy fog as I don't have radar yet, the GPS would get me there but I worry about the bigger boats not seeing me in the soup and me not seeing them so common sense dictates in that case. I will have to hunt down a heavy weight flyrod as my biggest is only 10 wt. and definitely not up to a SBFT. Should not be a problem as I have alot of friends with alot of rods. Let me know what your plans are and maybe we can hookup and do it together for more safety factor or maybe I could just give you a shout (VHF or Cell). Thanks for the tip much appeciated.

Tightlines,
Mike Mayo

[venture]

Hi Mike,

You should be fine this weekend in a small boat even without radar. A cold front is due to pass through on Friday, leaving Saturday and Sunday dry and clear with no fog forcasted. Seas are expected to be 2 to 3 ft out to 20 nautical miles offshore, with winds less than 10 knots. So a 20 foot boat should fine. There will be boats doing the same thing, out there so keep your eyes peeled.....that's all. And I'm very sure that you will not be the only one out there in a small boat.

A 10 wieght fly rod will do in a pinch, especially with a small boat.....because if you hook up, just start your engine and follow the fish. The only problem you will have is keeping your rod in one piece towards the end when you try lifting the fish up to the surface. Just make sure you have at least 200 yards or more of backing. I fish with a 12-13 weight sinking line, so the fly gets down about 10 feet- 15 feet before I start to strip. You can also tie your flies with some lead eyes to help get it down.

You must chum these fish to your boat. Purchase a few flats of butterfish, and cut them into small pieces......and throw a handful (five to seven pieces). And as soon as your prior toss dissappears into the blue, throw another handful. A flat of spearing is also very good as the bait is small out there and the spearing require no cutting. But butters are very shiny and attract the fish slightly better. But spearing will keep existing fish in your slick. And if you hookup, just remember to keep throwing chunks, because you don't want the fish to leave. That is a common error made by many. Keep throwing chunks, with one hand on the rod, and one in the bucket.

Look for birds and perhaps a fleet of boats, stop, cut the engine and drift, and throw the chunks immediately upon seeing those birds. These fish spook as fast as albies, so if you see fish working, get close to them slowly, but not into them.......the chunks will draw them to your boat. Keep watching the slick for fish darting in and out, and toss the fly and let it settle.....Sometimes, you can cast, and then give your fly some line and let the fly drift out with the chunks and then strip because your retrieve will be much deeper and longer. I've even been hit on a dead drift while working my fly out with the chunks.....in fact that's how I caught my first yellowfin tuna on fly.......the fish just slammed it as I paid out the line. Refusals on fly are very common, so don't think you are doing something wrong if you get refusals......just keep doing the same thing, and sooner or later one will nail it.

Taking a conventional rod baited with a chunk or whole butter is a good thing to use, until you know, either by taking a hit or seeing the fish, before you start tossing the fly. No leader is required, and they are leader shy, so use 40 - 50 pound line for these fish. Tie the hook straight to your running line, or if you prefer, use flourocarbon knotted to you line......don't use any hardware or sinkers. Bury the hook into the bait because these babies see everything. Let the baited hook work naturally with the other chunks by stripping off line in free spool without creating any drag on the bait. Just keep working the bait out.....and always make sure there is enough slack in your line so there is no drag on the bait. Keep you thum on the spool at all times. As soon as a fish takes, just put the reel into gear and point the tip of the rod at the fish....he will set himself.

And as for your other question, I run a 37 Topaz, but don't let that intimidate you......I would take a reliable twenty footer out this weekend for sure...........

Howie

[Jim Miller]

Hey Guys
I'll be in MV in two weeks. Keep those SBFT moving EAST!
:D :D Hopefully I'll be targeting those Tuna south of the Vineyard!
cheers :-% :-% and keep us informed of your success!
Best fishes

[riptide]

Hey Jim,

Boat will be back today. Can you say 2 boat trip.

[Jim Miller]

Terry
YES! I can......Good for you in getting the Riptide back in the game! More "fish porn" coming our way?

BTW I am toying with the idea of getting either a 14 Wt Orvis TLS or a 14 wt Temple Forks. I can purchase either for about the same $$$$$. Any suggestions? My next biggest rod is a 11wt orvis trident (a little undergunned....I think?).;) ;) :D

[riptide]

Give me a call Jim. I have 2 Ultra Top Secret 14/15 wts being made as we speak. They will be wicked in every way. --123-3 If your interested the maker may be able to spin up another one for you. It will be the Stealth Fighter of big game fly rods.

[Hawk]

Did anybody do, see, or hear anything on the BFT front this weekend?

[saltyric]

I ran into a small school off of Wildcat Knoll on Saturday morning. Didn't get close enough to get a cast off.