TACKLE TIP THURSDAY Vol 234 (How to Use Dart Lures)

Happy Tackle Tip Thursday!
Steve Carson, pro-staffer with Penn Fishing, demonstrates a very popular technique used when fishing bluefin tuna during the day. Using the dart lures and the casting methods Steve shares here, an angler can target bluefin that are feeding on smaller bait fish. Dart-type lures come in many shapes and weights, so watch this video, book your trip here, and visit Fishermans Landing Tackle Shop to stock up before you leave the dock!
Thank you to Steve for his time and experience in all things having to do with saltwater angling and Penn Fishing Tackle!
Check our variety of trip lengths and angler loads here: www.SearcherSportfishing.com. Or call the office 619-226-2403.

[@socalsteve22]

Steve your information and techniques are priceless thanks for always sharing your knowledge with the Searcher Crew!

[@qball8437]

Can't say enough about those Penn fathoms....lol just got back from a 2 day on the lo ann and watched the deckhand max land a 230lb blufin on a fathom 40....50# that lil reel was quivering and twisting lol handle came a Lil loose....but man.....230lb bruiser is no f'n joke....couldn't believe it

[@mikeb9223]

Hope your shogun trip went well.

[@Deepimpactocean]

Good video Steve. Can you do a video comparing the penn carnage rail, boat, & west coast rods while showing them side by side. Penn website is terrible (sorry.) 🍻

[@tunanorth]

Feel free to ask follow up questions!

[@waltn3202]

I really enjoy your videos. What knot do you use to connect the leader to the jig?

[@tunanorth]

In most cases, the San Diego Jam is my terminal knot of choice.

[@jjjohnst082988]

Years ago before the bluefin were close and most of the local trips were targeting yellowfin and skipjack I remember using coltsnipers for them, but casting them like a surface iron and just ripping them back after letting them sink a bit. Does that work on bluefin when they’re boiling or when people talk about fishing coltsnipers for bluefin are they generally talking about fishing them vertically?

[@tunanorth]

That definitely works when the fish are right up on top or in a foamer.

[@jjjohnst082988]

@@tunanorth awesome thanks, when the chances at fish are few and far between I’m hesitant to throw anything other than the norm sometimes, I’ll give it a shot again with the bluefin🤙🏼

[@CalicoChris]

Thats what im talking bout

[@nickolasbeck8103]

What are your thoughts on the thicker Owner treble hook impeding the action of the jig? Especially on the smaller jigs (60 or 80 gram)

[@tunanorth]

On the very small jigs, you are just using a #1 treble, not that thick, but still stronger than what they come with from the factory.

[@dannypann5060]

What size owner hook would you use for these little guys

[@tunanorth]

usually a #1 to a #2/0.

[@socalfishincrew5410]

Is the fathom 15ld2 really capable of 30-80 pound tuna on a flyline? I checked and all the specs seem good except the drag is kinda low. Could you maybe share some personal experience on what you think about the reels effectiveness and capabilities?

[@jmoney5914]

No I wouldn't want to hook anything over 50. You need a 30 or 40 for this type of fishing

[@tunanorth]

The reel is absolutely capable, but should only be used in those exceptional circumstances when the fish won't bite otherwise. Short version: set the "Strike" drag at 8 pounds, let them run [remember that you have 400 yards of line]. If you actually get spooled, the fish was likely over 75 pounds. Get as much line back in "high" as you can get, while the fish rests. The fish will probably make another very long run against 8 pounds of drag. After that, bump the drag to 10 pounds, and keep getting back as much line as you can. Once the fish is "straight up and down", you can bump the drag to 12 pounds, and drop the reel to "Low". All of this depends on fresh line, and properly tied knots.

[@socalfishincrew5410]

@@tunanorth thanks!

[@Ron-ev2tk]

What size hooks did you replaced with?

[@tunanorth]

Hook sizes depend on the jig size, anything from a #1 to a #2/0 is the usual.

[@Ron-ev2tk]

@@tunanorth thank you

[@rrrr-mu9gd]

What Rod are you using with FTH30 fir the dart jigs?

[@tunanorth]

PENN Carnage III "West Coast" model; 8 footer rated 30-60.

[@mnomad9173]

I think 7’6 is the longest 30-60?

[@tunanorth]

@@mnomad9173 CARWCIII3060C80