| Tuna fishing off the coast of Maine is immensely | | | | and late fall. The best months for fishing are |
| popular, with thousands of anglers heading out on | | | | reputed to be between August and October. |
| chartered trips and privately owned boats each | | | | Bluefin tuna can be caught using a variety of |
| year in search of that once in a lifetime catch. | | | | methods, with trolling and baitfish both widely |
| Maine is not renowned for having a varied tuna | | | | successful. Popular baits for both techniques |
| population, with the bluefin being the only native | | | | include squid and mackerel. Chumming with herring |
| species. However, bluefin tuna are highly sought | | | | is also popular, particularly later in the season |
| after, particularly due to their immense size, | | | | when attempting to land bigger fish. Given the |
| power and swimming abilities. Once hooked, few | | | | size and power of these fish, heavy duty |
| fish will provide as big a challenge as a several | | | | equipment is required to land them. Custom-built, |
| hundred pound bluefin tuna. | | | | harnessed rods coupled with 130 class reels and |
| As their name suggests, bluefin tuna have a dark | | | | 200 pound test lines are not uncommon, and will |
| blue coloring on top, graduating to silver along their | | | | suffice for the majority of bluefin present in |
| sides and belly. Bluefin tuna have two dorsal fins, a | | | | Maine's waters. |
| single anal fin and numerous partial fins along its | | | | Catching a big bluefin tuna is largely about being in |
| back and underside. Their bodies built for speed, | | | | the right place at the right time. Tuna can be |
| with a streamlined shape and powerful tail. Bluefin | | | | found at any distance from the shore, though the |
| tuna are renowned for their speed and power, | | | | majority of chartered vessels travel some ten to |
| giving anglers lucky enough to hook one the fight | | | | thirty miles off the coast. Bluefin tuna can be |
| of a lifetime. In terms of size, large adult bluefin | | | | found throughout Maine's waters, though there |
| can reach lengths of up to twelve feet and tip | | | | are popular locations such as Jeffrey's Ledge |
| the scales at well over one thousand pounds. | | | | which are favored by many anglers. |
| More typical examples are around the eight foot | | | | In many parts, bluefin tuna are considered to be |
| mark and weigh in at nearer six hundred pounds. | | | | the ultimate game fish. Their large size coupled |
| Large bluefin tuna are fairly solitary fish, often | | | | with the ability to swim at speeds approaching |
| traveling alone or in very small, dispersed groups. | | | | fifty miles an hour makes the bluefin tuna an |
| Smaller bluefin's tend to travel in schools which | | | | exciting prospect for anglers. Add to that |
| may contain anywhere up to forty fish. Bluefin | | | | several-hour long fights, and you have probably |
| tuna are migratory fish, and are typically found | | | | the ultimate fishing challenge available in Maine. |
| off the coast of Maine between early summer | | | | |