Mission Accomplished: Yellowfin Tuna on Bass Tackle
I was very excited and a little bit nervous about bringing bass tackle on our recently-completed trip to Panama. Even though I was prepared to sacrifice the gear to the tuna gods, I simply wasn’t sure how it would hold up in the heat of battle.
My tackle prep was complicated by two factors: First, I was unable to procure the Tranx 400 or Calcutta 400 I’d wanted in time for the trip; while conversely a Megabass Valkyrie 8’ XXH travel rod “mysteriously” showed up the day before we left, requiring some repacking.
Timing and Trials
We fished four full days with Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge. I wanted to save the bass gear until we’d seen our traveling companions, particularly the eight first-timers, get tired of catching tuna. I also wanted to wait until Hanna was in the boat with me to document the process. We split up the first two days to make sure that our guests got ample shots at giant tuna. They most definitely did, so we were together starting on Day Three.
That day we made a two hour run to a known big fish stomping ground and caught some 60-90 pounders on bait. Around 11, the fish behind the commercial boats really started to get active, so we looked for some groups to eat topwaters. I was on the front deck on the Freeman as a massive pod blew up. I cast short of the boat’s longline, right into the heart of the fracas – that was a mistake. A boobie swooped down on my Megabass Megadog and grabbed it, getting tangle in the process. Meanwhile we were hooked up with other tuna on conventional popping gear. I’m not quite sure if one of those fish grabbed the lure, but eventually my 100-pound test leader broke and my lure was gone.
I tied on another topwater, ready for the next washing machine of tuna action. For better or for worse, though, at 12:15 we hooked into an estimated 300 pound yellowfin on conventional gear that towed us all over the gulf for over three hours until the hook pulled, crushing all of our spirits. More on that fish soon.
The Perfect Opportunity
On our final full day we went in a different direction, running about an hour to an area where one of our other boats had caught over 30 tuna the day before, in the much more manageable 10- to 40-pound range. Before we could even get to our waypoint, we found dolphins herding bait, with tuna underneath. We got out in front of them and I fired in the 6-inch Rapala X-Rap Sub Walk. Since I was scarred by the bird encounter the day before, I wanted something that would stay slightly below the surface. Still, with its chartreuse back, the strikes would still be visual. I hooked up almost immediately, then lost the fish and another one grabbed the lure. My Tranx 300 did its job, the rod handled the 10-pounder, and soon my first “bass gear tuna” was in the boat.
We chased those pods of dolphins around all morning, eventually capturing 61 yellowfin by 1pm. None of there were over 35 pounds, but these tunitos were super-fun. They tore the paint off of my Sub Walk.
Eventually, I decided I wanted to see if I could get bites on other offerings, so I tied on my second 6-inch Megadog and the first cast produced what was possibly the most vicious topwater strike I’ve even encountered. The rotating hook hangers did their job and now I’d captured tuna on two different lures. Unfortunately, a few stops later we hooked into five tuna at once and my 50-pound braid crossed someone else’s 80 and got cut. I’d now sacrificed another Megadog to the tuna grounds.
That gave me an opportunity to tie on a Lunker Punker, which walked and got bites every bit as well. By the time we stopped chasing tuna at 61 of them, and left to look for other species, I’d caught fish on three different lures. I’m not sure that it truly made a difference what I threw, as long it could capture the attention of the frenzied fish.
Tackle Used
Megabass Valkyrie four-piece 8’ XXH (VKC-80XXH-4) – This rod was a joy to fish. I never felt any stress at the joints or any threats that it would come apart.
Shimano Tranx 300A – The drag was flawless on fish up to about 20 pounds and I was never in danger of getting spooled, but I fear that a tuna in the 50-pound class or larger could be an issue. Also, the AHG model (7.6:1 instead of 5.8:1) might be a better choice for getting baits back to the boat faster to fire out another cast.
Original Power Pro Braid (50 lb.) – I opted for 50-pound over 65 simply because the Tranx would hold more of it and we were fishing in open water. I didn’t anticipate that in the tuna frenzies we’d have crossed lines or sharp-finned tuna crossing lines and cutting it. With a larger reel, next time I’ll definitely go to 65.
Yo-Zuri Superfluoro Leader Line Clear (100 lb.) – It’s amazing how quickly the mates at Sport Fishing Panama Island Lodge can tie an FG Knot in wind and waves.
Tackle Notes
Given how frenzied the fish were, I think in some cases they would have eaten anything loud or visible enough to find. Next time I play to bring some glide baits and I want to be the first person to catch one on a topwater rat.
I think I will bring fewer 4-5” baits next time. The big ones seem to get bites and they’re far easier to cast a long distance.
The walk-the-dog lures clearly worked, but were best in relatively calm conditions. When we were following the commercial boats to get the tuna around them, sometimes it was tough to get them to walk.
I was truly energized by this process. While I didn’t catch any mid-sized or larger tuna this way, in some respects the “fun sized” models are more exciting – you get the same incredible blowups but don’t have to spend 20 to 50 minutes fighting the fish.
I am excited to work the Valkyrie into my regular rotation with big baits at home. You can’t tell that it’s a multi-piece stick and the handle is the perfect length for me.
I forgot to rinse out the Tranx after using it and did so only upon my return home. Next time I need to be more vigilant about taking care of it.
