Albies

[ProSkateFisherman]

I have some family in Newport and I’ve always wanted to try to fish for false albacore. I’ve read some stuff about them but I still don’t know how to really fish for them. I have some 3/4 oz spoons and stuff like that that I can use. But other than that, I don’t really have a clue.  I was up there for the first time last year for a wedding and I was able to make it into a bait shop and they told me it’s all boat fishing for them, but all the guys I talked to outside kept talking about a place called the Fort. So my question is, how do I fish for these fish? Rod/reel suggestions? Lures to use? Line?  What month should I go up to fish? I have a little 10 foot kayak, is that worth bringing? Thanks for any help. Still new to New England

[GoldenAnchor]

Saltwater Edge has a good article on tackle for albies.

 

I am not a yak fisherman but I would say YES it would be worth bringing it. It sucks when you are fishing from shore and watching the albies break surface out of casting distance.

Edited April 7, 2022 by GoldenAnchor

[DZ]

If I had to pick a time period it would be First week of September to first week of October in Newport area from shore. 

[rwilhelm]

Sept and October prime time.  Pick up some Hogy Epoxy jigs.   

[HugeDinghy]

They can show up anywhere at any time in the late summer early fall. For two seconds or two tides. That’s what makes them so much fun 

[BNickW]

Kayak is the ideal vessel. It forces patience but still has a little range.

[HugeDinghy]

Should we have the albies don’t fight hard argument now? 

Edited April 8, 2022 by HugeDinghy

[DAQ]

34 mins ago, HugeDinghy said:

Should we have the albies don’t fight hard argument now? 

 

Save it for September to really get people spun up.

[HugeDinghy]

1 min ago, DAQ said:

 

Save it for September to really get people spun up.

[FlukeOff]

Small metals - deadly dicks  or epoxy jigs realed fast. Some people keep them just under the surface while others literally skip them across they real so fast - both work. Albie snax also work well when they won’t hit metal. They are most fun on light tackle. 3-4K reel with a good retrieve speed and a rod that throws up to 3/4 (give or take.) I use a 4k Stradic and a 7’11” Loomis Greenwater for reference. They can be leader shy so be prepared to go light. I use 20# braid to 20# floro but also carry 15# floro. You’d be surprised how sometimes changing to 15# will work wonders. 
 

I have a love/hate relationship with these fish. When you find them close to shore and they eat it’s really amazing. However nothing is more frustrating than chasing them, finding them, and throwing through them for hours while they ignore everything you throw. 

[fishfinder401]

11 hours ago, FlukeOff said:

However nothing is more frustrating than chasing them, finding them, and throwing through them for hours while they ignore everything you throw. 

So fishing for them is kind of like dating?

[BNickW]

12 hours ago, FlukeOff said:

Small metals - deadly dicks  or epoxy jigs realed fast. Some people keep them just under the surface while others literally skip them across they real so fast - both work. Albie snax also work well when they won’t hit metal. They are most fun on light tackle. 3-4K reel with a good retrieve speed and a rod that throws up to 3/4 (give or take.) I use a 4k Stradic and a 7’11” Loomis Greenwater for reference. They can be leader shy so be prepared to go light. I use 20# braid to 20# floro but also carry 15# floro. You’d be surprised how sometimes changing to 15# will work wonders. 
 

I have a love/hate relationship with these fish. When you find them close to shore and they eat it’s really amazing. However nothing is more frustrating than chasing them, finding them, and throwing through them for hours while they ignore everything you throw. 

I didn’t catch one last year. I don’t travel to chase them so if they arrive in my home waters it’s game on. Last year they were so sparse for me I barely bothered. My wife said I seemed to be in a greatly better mood last fall. That’s how frustrating they can be. Even if you are catching the hook up ratio is so low it can be demoralizing. But the few fish you do catch on a good season are memorable. So much so I can’t wait to put my family through the anguish this fall.

[fishinbill]

All good advice, and you can check out YT videos as well. John Skinner and EliasV have some good Albie content, and a good portion of it is kayak-related. On the kayak, however, I hope you have some experience with ocean currents, boat wakes, etc.  It can get very dicey out there very quickly - particularly if other boats and yaks are chasing the same pod of fish.

 

+1 on the advice to check out Saltwater Edge - both their site and the retail shop.

Edited April 8, 2022 by fishinbill

[Sleve]

You will want a fast reel. 40" per turn or more imo.

[ProSkateFisherman]

I have a rod that I just built that's 7' 6", MH, medium fast action. Would that do any good? I don't think I have any 4000 size reels that fast. The smallest reel I have that I know of that's that fast would be a Spheros 6k. I've seen the Penn Clash and the Battle 3 high speed models before. The Battle 3 HS has a pretty good price. I wasn't the biggest fan of the Battle 2 and the Battle DX I have is defective and makes the rod tip bounce like crazy. Is the normal Battle 3 any good?