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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
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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)
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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
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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 WentworthOffice: 410-798-7491
Cell: 410-279-9237
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fishnotorious.com
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