Fly fishing for bluefin tuna

[Carrot]

I am looking to get into fly fishing for bluefin tuna in Massachusetts. I wanted to know if anyone has advice or has done any bluefin tuna fly fishing. I just picked up  the largest size Hardy fortuna Z as my reel. I am looking at the CTS revo 14 wt or the CTS quartz TT for the rod. I would love to know what setup everyone uses and how they rig their setups. Any advice on Bluefin Fly fishing is appreciated. Thanks

[BrianBM]

We've had some threads on this in the past. Use the Search feature to find them.

 

Certainly, let those who know hold forth.

[Fergal]

Fun in  my younger years, too much damn work now. The fish below, 8kg tippet.

 

[JKingston]

BFT on fly was a big goal for

me this year and I haven’t made it happen yet. I had a lot of great opportunities early in the season when Stellwagon and Peaked Hill were loaded with rec fish on the surface. Didn’t get one to the boat. 
 

I fish a Hatch 12+ with the hatch 70# backing.  I think 400 yards or so on there.  Then I run the leviathan line. SA has some 100# core lines as well but I haven’t tried any. From there I run 50# flouro leaders. I just buy pre made tuna leaders designed for jigging. I tie my tuna flies on Ahrex Bluewater hooks. The rod is a custom fiberglass rod probably equivalent to a 16-20 wt. 

 

Would love to hear from people who have been successful. 

 

 

[Pungo]

Check out Tom Gilmore's   "Tuna on the Fly"   book.  Pretty much covers it all in depth

[DEM Parking Lot]

BFT on a fly is pure insanity.

 

You guys are animals.

[27conch]

This was really popular what feels like 100 years ago now.  It was when CCB was loaded with school size fish.  They were also doing it for a while out of Morehead City NC, for much bigger fish.  The fad faded away now replaced by stand up spinning gear.

[Carrot]

1 hour ago, Pungo said:

Check out Tom Gilmore's   "Tuna on the Fly"   book.  Pretty much covers it all in depth

Thanks! just ordered it

[Carrot]

1 hour ago, JKingston said:

BFT on fly was a big goal for

me this year and I haven’t made it happen yet. I had a lot of great opportunities early in the season when Stellwagon and Peaked Hill were loaded with rec fish on the surface. Didn’t get one to the boat. 
 

I fish a Hatch 12+ with the hatch 70# backing.  I think 400 yards or so on there.  Then I run the leviathan line. SA has some 100# core lines as well but I haven’t tried any. From there I run 50# flouro leaders. I just buy pre made tuna leaders designed for jigging. I tie my tuna flies on Ahrex Bluewater hooks. The rod is a custom fiberglass rod probably equivalent to a 16-20 wt. 

 

Would love to hear from people who have been successful. 

 

 

What connection do you use for leader to fly line? 

[27conch]

I have a book if your interested.  From Trey Combs who was the offshore guru back in the day.  Has any and all information you could ever want.

[theshadow]

There was a good bite of 30-60# fish off of Orleans/Chatham in the last week.The recent mixed up weather has made it tough to get out too.N/E to crank up tomorrow.North Chatham Outfitters has info of that area and some who are targeting the fish with fly set ups.

[Fergal]

25 mins ago, 27conch said:

I have a book if your interested.  From Trey Combs who was the offshore guru back in the day.  Has any and all information you could ever want.

THat's the offshore bible - great book for anything offshore and great in general

[bhorsley]

we did it back in mid 90s off of Hatteras NC.  We were record chasing so we fished 20 and 16 IGFA class tippet.    The fish were eating chunks of menhaden we were tossing out of the back of the boat.  Pretty similar set up to our billftshing set up.  30' head and then a 60  pound butt section and class tippet.  We set the 16 tippet record (Raz Reid) with a fish of 101 pounds.  

 

My buddy from Finland Jari who posts on here has a ton of experience chasing BFT in the France and Spain.  They are fishing to breaking fish --much like in New England.  That would be fun to watch--I have no desire to fight one.

There are times here at Cape Lookout we have possible shots

[BrokeOff]

Check out Gregory Dolet’s film with BFT Media.

[jerseystriper]

Cant imagine what my arms would feel like after. Good luck