Albacore by kayak

So Wednesday and Thursday the ocean will be super flat and as of right now the tuna water is about 20 miles out.  I have 2 potential tow boats and the water may be closer by Wednesday or Thursday.  Anyone interested?

Any of yall who have caught albacore from the kayak can you please share your tips and experience.  Also any of yall experienced albacore fisherman please chime in about dead and live bait stops if you have experience with them.  I want any info I can get that may help.

holy crap I wish I could...

Having caught albacore out of a kayak exactly once ...

When I do it again, here is what I'll do.  One rod with a Rapala X-Rap Magnum 10 (your choice of color) and one with a swimbait on a 2 ounce head (your choice of color).  I used an X-Rap 15 before and it's just too much drag when trying to troll as fast as you can.  Yup, troll as fast as you can.  When you need a rest or see some deep marks, let that swimbait drop a good 200 feet and rip it back (think vertical trolling!).  That's how I caught mine.  I did hook another this way which I lost.  And I did hook up on the troll on the x-rap, which I also lost.

Go gettem' Rob!

-Allen

Are you thinking about being towed out or mother shipping?  20 miles is pretty far out - what's the closest they were last year in your area and it might be better to wait until they're closer? It's one of those things that you would have to monitor constantly and drop everything when the time is right.

Swim baits or rapala J9s should work since the troll speed is slower. Bring as much cut bait as you can and put some out to create a chum line. When one is on, be considerate and keep the other lines out in case it's friends want to join the party. A kill bag is important too to keep the catch fresh.

Your drag is key.  Tight enough to set a hook and loose enough to take some line and pick up the kayak.  I recommend using the flush mount rod holder when trolling and be ready for the rod but to be wedged in there on hookup. You won't get it out with one hand.  Be prepared to move around the boat. Then try to bust its heart with CONSTANT PRESSURE. Get every inch on him you can.  Unlike billfish and sharks, the albie will stay away from the boat until the very end and while I've never landed one on my kayak, I'm sure they do the same tuna circle just out of reach of the gaff.  That's when you really have to put the pressure on again.  I use 2 gaffs or a custom flying harpoon for big tunas.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info.  I will let yall know how it goes.

...and make sure to have your camera rolling...I want to see this!!!  GO GETEM ROB!!!

Jeezzus... Call me. Call me. Call me now.

4155965693

Good luck dude ...I wish I could but I can not .

Good luck Rob, can't wait for this report 

I mentioned to my wife that I might be going fishing this week over on the coast. I'll leave out the details but basically if I go I better not come back. Good luck out there I would love to join you next time.

Wishing you the best of lucks.

That sounds incredible, I wish I could try that! I look forward yo the report for now. Any concerns about radiation levels?

Whoa I wanna see this!

I can only share what I've learned from a few recent trips.

They prefer 57-60 degree blue water and like the bait or lure moving quite fast, 6-10 knots. I have no idea if you can maintain that speed yet alone get there. You are probably off better jigging or casting. There is the possibility of setting a lure down pedaling/paddling and reeling it back in after a long distance is out. Where there is one there is another. I've heard that you can use a spoon and work the water column or make long cast. They like the prop wash so if so see a cargo ship or the traces of boats cast into there (if your willing to get that close). I went on a pb on sunday and color did not seem to make a difference. The only thing that differed was that the jet heads were hit before the others. They are STRONG, fast, and can make runs straight down and straight with the horizon. I'd worry about line strength over line being visible.

The fish I caught on Sunday had anchovies and squid in them. If you could get a hold of any of those Id use that and jig or fish swimbaits with scent to help.

If I didn't work I'd ask to hitch a ride. GOOD LUCK and may odds be in your favor! Go Getem!!!

Oh here is a long article. I liked the lure info part.  http://albacoretuna.org/

this post has been haunting me.  sounds really fun but i just dont have the time or the money to drive that far north right now.  GOOD luck!!! cant wait for the report