Chunking 101 Capt. Bryan Wentworth Notorious Sportfishing

Chunking Intro What is chunking? –Throwing cut bait to attract fish, create a feeding frenzy, and feeding them hook baits –Main objective is attracting and keeping fish by their sense of sight and determination to eat –Not chumming with ground bait/blood to lure fish by smell (studies show some smells actually deter tuna) When to chunk? –Typically later in the season (tuna fall into a routine) –When fish have gathered over/around structure Sportfishing Charters

What is a chunk? Most common chunk bait is fresh/fresh frozen butterfish –Also squid, mackerel, menhaden, and various clams An average size butterfish is cut into 3-4 chunks –Don’t cut your chunks too small A full day of chunking will require up to 100lbs. of bait Make sure to examine the bait before purchase if possible (garbage in-garbage out) Sportfishing Charters

The Gear Typically 30-50lb. class rods/reels –Avet EXW 4/02, Penn 30/50s, Shimano TLDs, etc… –Chaos Custom Rods, Penn International, Penn Mariner, Penn Tuna Sticks, etc… Stand-up fighting belt/harnass –You might need several of each Balloons/floats, weights (8-24oz.), rubber bands Any CONTENDER boat will do

Hooks & Leader 30-80lb. Flourocarbon leader (8 ft.) –Line class depends on target species, avg. size, water clarity, seas, and ACTION… –Tuna have excellent eyesight SPRO 80lb. Power Swivel (only choice) –Smaller (less visible), powerful, wind-on 7/0 or 8/0 Circle Hook (snelled) –Penn Bluewater, Mustad, Gamakatsu

Finding Fish Bait – the food chain at work Structure – lumps, canyons, wrecks, etc. Water Temp/Color – find the best water for your target species Draggers – the ultimate tuna magnet TidalFish.com – internet forum provides valuable information and reports for recent activity Sportfishing Charters

Prepare to Chunk 5-6 rods rigged and ready to go –2 feeder lines and 2-3 deep lines Cut or slice your chunks into a bucket –Chunk cutters are the real deal Find the best looking baits for hook baits –No torn flesh, no sunken eyes, no scars –Garbage in = Garbage out Bury and hide the hook inside the baits –Heads or tails? –Inny or outy hook points? Sportfishing Charters

Start the Slick Start by throwing chunks around the boat in every direction Begin setting lines and continue tossing chunks into a single 10x10 foot area (NEVER STOP) –5-6 chunks at a time, waiting until the last set of chunks is about to disappear before throwing another set –Watch the chunks fall to help determine the speed and direction of the drift –The speed will also tell you how deep/far to set your deep baits Sportfishing Charters

The Deep Lines Find the fish, bait, thermocline 5 rod spread = 50, 35, 20ft. deep w/ 2 feeders 4 rod spread = 45, 30ft. deep w/ 2 feeders Set the furthest/deepest bait first –Weights should be no closer than 30ft. from the bait –Place the float up 50/35/20ft. from the weight –Feed the float out until you think the chunks are drifting by the hook bait (approx Depth x 2) Bluefin around? Drop a line off the bottom Rods should be set at or just below “strike” (approx.10lbs) Sportfishing Charters

The Feeder Lines One person on each rod (almost free spool with clickers “on”) Pull off 40 feet of line (no weights) and toss the bait into the middle of the chunks Feed line, maintaining a slight amount of slack to keep the baits drifting with the chunks After about 100 feet of line, pull the feeder in slowly and start again Sportfishing Charters

Catching Fish When reels start screaming, don’t forget to keep chunking (why let someone else hold your fish?) Move drags to “strike” to set the circle hooks (no Jimmy Houston hook sets) When fighting stand-up, use your legs and let the harness do the work on big fish A good gaff shot is any gaff shot that puts a fish in the boat (or just aft of the pec fins)

Questions? Capt. Bryan Wentworth Office: Cell: Web: Sportfishing Charters