NWWC TUNA REPORT: Getting geared for early-season albacore
UPDATED July 21, 2009 / 7:30 p.m

GARIBALDI, Ore. - Is the Pacific Northwest the “Albacore Capital of the World”? 

Del Stephens with Tuna Dog Offshore seems to think so.

 “Were else can you find the amount of Albacore we have so close to port?” Stephens asks. “It’s not California, it’s Oregon.”

And at no time is that more apparent then early in the season, when full-on albacore onslaughts are common for properly geared boats.

“The early season fishing is extraordinary,” says Stephens.  “It’s the early season fishing that gets folks addicted to this tuna craze.  Doubles, triples, quads and large numbers of fish; it all happens early in the season.” 

The reason? Simple: albacore are on a heavy feed, and haven’t encountered anything that remotely resembles a cedar plug.

“The fishing is so extraordinary early in the season, because these fish haven’t been pounded much, or at all, and are very responsive,” Stephens says

Early season tuna tech: Trolling clones, cedar plugs and diving plugs are the key techniques used to catch albacore the first half of the season. It’s also the easiest way to pursue these fish, because using the heavier rods and line necessary to properly apply these techniques make it that much easier and quicker to put albacore in the boat.

The clone: “I would guess that 7 Strand clones catch 30 percent of all albacore off of our coast in a season,” says Stephens. “They’re a very durable lure that will last many seasons.”

A 6-inch clone is the most popular size followed by the 4 ½-inch.  Clones are available with feathers in the skirt or with just a plain vinyl skirt.

“Feathers create a different look in the water, and sometimes these albacore really key in on this look,” Stephens says. “But my favorite is simply a vinyl skirt.” 

Color selection depends on light conditions.

“Use light-colored clones on bright sunny days and dark-colored clones on overcast days,” Stephens advises. “Dark clones work good early and late in the day as well. Mexican Flag and Zucchini are good light colors and Midnight and Loco Joe are good dark-colored clones to use.”

Troll clones at 7 to 9 knots.  Experiment with different speeds – when fish stop responding, you may need to speed up your troll or slow it down. 

Avoiding tangles: How do you keep seven clones trolled behind the boat at 9 knots from getting tangled? 

Stagger your spread. Stephens explains how to stagger your gear and to keep it from getting tangled: 

• If you’re using outriggers, run the farthest outside rods 60 to 75 feet behind the boat.

• For your outside rods if you’re not running outfitters, go back 40 to 50 feet behind the boat

• Run your corner rods 20 to 30 feet behind the boat

• Your center rod has the furthest dropback: 65 to 85 feet

Doubles, triples and quads usually don’t happen at exactly the same instant, so to get multiple fish hooked up, you need to continue your troll once the first fish is hooked.  Troll at least another 10 seconds after that first hookup to allow other albacore in the school to chase down your other lures. 

The cedar plug: The venerable cedar plug is just that: a 6-inch piece of tapered cedar with a lead head.  The cedar plug is available in many different colors, but the natural color seems to be consistently the most productive. The cedar plug can be substituted into the spread anywhere you run your Clones. 

Diving plugs: Diving plugs are something to try when the albacore bite slows or stops altogether.  In my opinion, Rapala X-Rap Magnums and Yo-Zuri Hydro Magnums (shown at right) are the two highest-quality diving plugs on the market. 

Tie the plug directly to your mainline without a swivel or snap, and troll them 40 to 45 feet behind the boat. 

Stephens’ favorite colors for diving plugs are sardine, bunker and mackerel.

Drop back a swimbait: Want to add another fish to the chaos of a double or a triple?  While you’re trolling, rig up a 5-inch swim bait on a 2-ounce jig head and get ready to cast once the action starts. 

“When a fish is hooked, drop your swimbait behind the boat,” Stephens advises. “Slowly let line out, keeping just enough tension on it that you’ll be able to detect a bite.” 

Continue to let line out until the boat is stopped, then start a steady retrieve.  If you haven’t hooked up with a fish by the time you’re a quarter of the way back to the boat, freespool again and let the swimbait drop 40 to 60 feet deep before retrieving it again.

-Andy Schneider