Bluefin Tuna without a doubt have more power per pound than any other fish found in the mid-Atlantic offshore waters! In the history of big game angling, no other game fish has whipped more anglers. It's the one fish that takes all your strength from you. Bluefin feed upon their lesser relatives, including members of the mackerel, skipjack, and bonito families. Along their Atlantic range, Bluefin Tuna will take mackerel, bonito, bluefish, menhaden, and herring. These all make good baits, especially alive or at least fresh. Bottom dwelling species such as whiting have been successfully used for baits. The local method of using baits revolves around Chunking from a drifting or anchored boat. Fishermen will find a location where Bluefin frequent and then they'll anchor and chunk. If the spot proves good, semi-permanent anchorages are set by using 40-inch polyballs.  When a fish is hooked, a boat drops from the ball and fights it. Another popular method is trolling Cedar Plugs. Hot spots include but are not limited to, the Hot Dog, 26 Mile Hill, the Lumps and the Boomerang (offshore bottom changes). Typical tackle for Atlantic school Bluefin is not overly large yet substantial. The Penn International II 30 and 50 are popular reels, as is the Shimano Beastmater 30/50. These models will hold 600 yards of 30-lb line, slightly less when loaded with 50-lb test monofilament. Ideal rods for school Bluefin are patterned around the 30/50 stand-up model, 5 1/2 to 6 feet in length, and designed for 30 to 50-lb test lines. Stand-up rods combined with one of the trolling reels mentioned above will give maximum sport with Bluefin that average from 30 to 100 pounds.

The Yellowfin is perhaps the most colorful of all the tuna. Found in Virginia spring, summer and fall, it's one of the most popular fish. Yellowfin are mighty tasty.  A pelagic species, Yellowfin are fond of deep blue water. In the Atlantic, they will be found in the Gulf Stream year-around. They seem to prefer the cooler edges of the Gulf Stream. The flesh of this fish is light, not dark like the Bluefin or white like the Albacore. Yellowfin can sometimes be distinguished from near cousins, Blackfin and Bigeye Tuna, by their long second dorsal and anal fins, but not all individuals have this exaggeration. In a sense, Yellowfin are an eating-machine, putting on pounds like no other fish. A year-and-a-half old Yellowfin can weigh 8 pounds, and by its fourth year the fish will scale out at a whopping 140 pounds. Striped Bass, please take note! For Virginia trolling, good Yellowfin Tuna outfits fall between the 30 and 50-lb class stand-up styles. The souped up reel is available from Shimano as the Tiagra 50WLRS. It's a heavy reel designed for the extreme muscular end of the sport. By far, the standard Penn International II 50TW and Tiagra 50W have a drag designed for the physical capabilities of the average angler. Any tuna reel should have two gears, high and low. The advantage of a two-speed reel will be discovered just as soon as the Yellowfin sounds directly under the boat. Most rods are 5 1/2-footers, fitted with Aftco roller guides, and designed for 50 to 80-lb mono. On the East Coast, these stand-up rods are designed with a detachable Aftco Unibutt. Preferred over a single-piece model, with its lower hypalon grip, the Unibutt model is easier to grab from a rod-holder while under the pressure of a hooked fish. A good rugged stand-up belt and harness makes all the difference in the world, as far as comfort and efficiency goes. The heaviest models by Braid and Reliable will do the trick. Yellowfin are often handled on 30-lb gear. Excellent graphite two-speed reels, such as the TLD30 II by Shimano, will handle either 30 or 50 lb monofilament. Matching rods run between 5-ft 6-in to 5-ft 9-in in length, rated for 30/50-lb line. Remember to double the end of the line for 15 feet, using a Bimini Twist. Most lures that are purchased come unrigged. It's easier for the makers to let fishermen rig the lures to their preference. Tuna lures usually carry two hooks 5/0 to 8/0, rigged one behind the other and pointing 180% away from each other. The most important step is often forgotten-- sharpening the hooks to a diamond-point. The most popular set up in Virginia is the ballyhoo rig. A sea witch trailed by a ballyhoo fish with hook inserted and wired in place.