Bluefin Tuna Regs Increased + 1

[Gerry Zagorski]

Looks like some good news for a change.... We can now keep 1 additional Bluefin Tuna. Regs used to be 1 under and 1 over for private boats and are now 2 under and 1 over. For charter boats it used to be 2 under and 1 over and it's now 3 under and 1 over.

Great to see this as it gives both private and charter boats that don't have canyon range some additional incentive to take a shot at these inshore speedsters.

For those of you not familiar with this fishery here in NJ, first off you need an HMS permit for your boat https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/permitList . This is the same permit you need to retain Sharks, Swordfish and other species of Tuna. If you are fishing a charter boat their permit covers you as does the permit on the private boat.

Our inshore fishery usually kicks in around mid June and lasts until late October. They sometimes show within a few miles of the beach but are most often targeted in the Mudhole, which can be anywhere from 10 to 40 mile ride, depending on your port and what part of the Mudhole you are fishing.

They are usually targeted by either trolling, vertical jigging or popping.

Trollers typically are pulling stuff that is on the smaller side.... Feathers, Spreader Bars, Joe Shutes, Sea Witches and Islanders...If you happen to be marking fish well in a concentrated area, vertical jigging with metal jigs will get their attention too. Some will troll and when they mark them good will stop and jig.

Perhaps the most exciting way is site casting with surface poppers. This is a very specialized method that requires some good boat placement skills as well as rods and spinning reels specifically designed for the task.

When the Bluefin are up on top in large schools you'll see them.. They are usually busting up on the surface and moving very quickly. The trick is to get the boat out ahead of them and place your cast and popper in their path and if you hook up, hold on!!

Looking forward to taking advantage of the regs this year, especially if fuel prices stay low.

Here is the link on 2016 on the NMFS site https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/news


Recreational Atlantic Tunas Retention Limits

Effective April 23, 2016, through December 31, 2016, the bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limits are the following. For HMS Angling-permitted vessels: 2 school BFT (27 to <47") + 1 large school/small medium BFT (47 to <73"); for HMS Charter/Headboat-permitted vessels: 3 school BFT + 1 large school/small medium BFT. Until April 23, 2016, the limit is the default limit of 1 school, large school, or small medium BFT (27 to <73") for HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat-permitted vessels. These limits are effective for all areas except the Gulf of Mexico. The recreational BFT trophy fishery (73"+) is currently open north of 39°18' (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ) as well as in the Gulf of Mexico with a limit of 1 BFT measuring 73" or greater/vessel/year. For further information, see notices in library (at left). The recreational yellowfin tuna retention limit is 3/person/day or trip. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack, or albacore tunas.

[Stinker]

Sounds like good news for a change. Hopefully the Bluefin show up well this season!

[Hunter 2]

Nice, thanks

[Walleyed]

I'd love a chance to get introduced to this fishery. If anyone is heading out this year and needs/wants a crewman, please reach out.

I'd go out and give it fumble in my own boat, but its a ways to go and blow a day if you don't have a clue.

thanks

[Sharkyispy]

Looking forward to making a run or two out to Mudhole for them this year. Added incentive with the increased reg amount!!!! Good luck to all who target this year. Anyone looking to buddy trip out, let me know in a PM.