In this underwater video filmed last week on Cape Cod, a giant bluefin tuna of perhaps more than 500 pounds comes over to investigate a live-lined 34 inch bluefish, that I was slow trolling from my boat.
For many years I have dreamt about capturing an underwater bite from a huge giant bluefin tuna on video. I am feeling pretty confident now that with a few tweaks to my rigging, I can convince one of these behemoths to take a bait on camera!
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September 8th, 2023
For this trip, I would be fishing with my dad Jake.
Over the years my dad and I have spent hundreds of hours on the water together. Nowadays we don't get out as often as we once did, so each trip is extra special.
My dad with a 30 inch striper we caught the morning of this trip, using the new Specter TW200 walk-the-dog spook-style lure from Monomoy Tackle.
The goal for this trip was to catch some bluefish and then troll them behind cameras (without a hook) in hopes of capturing a giant tuna bite on video.
I think my dad was shocked at first to hear that we would be fishing without a hook!
However it made sense because I was only looking to capture an image, and not a fish...
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Ryan, can you see the action while it’s happening or do you discover it on play back?
Very cool. I love seeing this stuff. Thanks for sharing
Interesting question? I’d like to know the answer too
There’s no way to see the action in real time. Modern tech has yet to figure out how to send a wireless signal through water. Sometimes I’ll bring my laptop with me and review the footage on the boat, but more often than not I wait until I get home. It’s always exciting reviewing the footage, never knowing what you might see.
The chase brings out the enthusiasm. in each of us in a different way and to be able to capture that on a vidio is as great as it can be. To also to be able to do it with your father makes it even a better time out on the water than most days. It looks like the tuna felt something it did not like or it just had a happy meal and was not hungry. Peace and Prayers
Maybe it was the camera 🤣
Yes! No doubt my odds of getting a bite would be much better without it!
Great video! Looks like you had a great day!
Awesome day on the water. Each day out there is a gift. :sunglasses:
Ryan,
Incredible cool capture! Glad you had a nice day on water with your Dad even if sans hooks.
Agree on leader being so visible but also, how deep do you think the blue was? Tuna descending to feed an otherwise speedy surface fish might have thrown it off. A blue as a competitor to what’s usually a happening near surface with a gaggle of species all targeting fleeing smaller bait might have thrown of the normal ‘chase down and eat’ reflex?
Thanks Kev! As I mentioned above, that leader is only 30 pound test. It just looks more visible in the video. My best guess is the bluefish was between 30-40 feet below the surface. We were in about 95 feet of water at the time. That’s a interesting idea about position the bluefish closer to the surface. Perhaps that would trigger a bite better. At the least it would provide more light for a better video!
Great video. My two cents input. The bluefish didn’t seem to be frightened when tuna showed up. Maybe the bluefish didn’t see the big tuna. If he would’ve showed more nervousness and try to escape would have engage and make tuna to use the attack instinct.
I think that’s a great point Emil. The bluefish did not panic at all. That poor blue had been dragged around for hours before this tuna appeared. The blue was not feisty at all and was pretty much on death’s doorstep when the tuna showed up. A more nervous and panic stricken bluefish might of triggered a bite, as you suggested. Thanks!
Came up to hit for sure,fish did not see a hook, became suspect…justsayn
Yup! Very suspect!
Ryan, I am ready to go again, and we will get that special video.
Just gotta keep trying, which I am more than happy to do.
@admin, another great video of the hidden world of fishing most fishermen/women never get to see. Watching fish interact with bait opens up a new perspective and understanding to what is really happening under the surface. I find it particularly interesting that while it appears nothing is happening at the rod and reel end, the reality is, a lot is very likely going on at the other end.
Watching fish swim up and check out bait and decline or perhaps make more than one approach before striking is a big take away from the many videos you have shared. It gives me a better appreciation for the importance of choosing the right bait and presentation.
Watching this clip, one surely would question why the Blue was not taken? Was it maybe bigger than the Tuna cared to swallow? If that were true a bigger tuna would probably have taken the bait?
Another take away I had from the clip was how visible the leader was in the footage. Did that spook the tuna as it approached the blue fish? How much different would have been a different choice of line or lighting conditions have made?
Again, thanks for providing this and your many great videos. Clearly you spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to provide for us the edited highlights we enjoy. Thank you!
You hit the head on the nail Dave. Interest was created- so why does he not take it. He surely came up for it to inspect it . So why does he not eat it. Was it the leader or did he see the connection made. There is no hook to see. He is either one smart fish or not hungry. I believe he came up to take it but some how something shy’ed him away, but what. I believe this happens a lot out there and you prove it here. Excellent video as always Ryan. This gives us solid information and a chance for others to give thoughts/ opinions on what this fish is doing. I know they can pass Mack’s etc that are out there. BUT WHY does he give up this prime meal. Is he full ?..
My best guess Dan as to the reason why the tuna did not bite, is that the bluefish did not react “appropriately”. By appropriately I mean the bluefish did not panic and swim in the fashion it normally would when being eyed down by a predator, due to being connected to the camera.
I also think the camera being only 6 feet away from the bait did not help. I think I would have had a better chance of getting a bite if the bluefish was further away from the camera, because that would give the bluefish more slack in the line to swim more naturally. Of course that would also add distance between the bait and camera, making it less likely the tuna would spot the camera and get spooked by it.
The only issue is that the further I put the bluefish away from the camera, the more difficult it is to see the bluefish on video.
You bring up some great points David. Thank you for the in-depth comment. :+1: I will try to answer your questions as best I can, although these are really just my personal theories…
Most of the tunas in the area I was fishing have been over 90 inches in length so I personally feel the tuna could have easily taken a 34 inch blue, but who knows, maybe that is the reason. I suppose I’ll have to get my hands on some smaller bluefish to see if that makes a difference.
Believe it or not, that leader is only 30 pound test! The video probably just makes it look more visible than it probably truly is. I was using Trilene monofilament. Perhaps I’ll try 30 pound Seagur fluoro next time.
That is an awesome video!!! Amazed at some of the stuff you’ve captured and shared with us, thanks for the hard work.
It’s a challenge but fun! Essentially I am “fishing for footage” which I enjoy just as much as actual fishing. lol
Great video and I know it will happen soon with all the work you are putting in.
Thanks Chris! I tried again yesterday and the day before. I’ll post those vids soon!
Wow!!! That’s a massive blue!! Would love to get one like that
September/October is primetime for big blues in Cape Cod Bay and along the Outer Cape!