Atlantic bonito, false albacore the alternative to big

When you hear the likes of yellowfin, blackfin, giant bluefin or big eye tuna, visions of big boats, big gear and offshore excursions may dance in your head.

But if you don’t have the boat or the gear or the big bucks to get to the Gulf Stream, there is an alternative to big-gear tuna. That is the Atlantic bonito, as well as the false albacore, the tuna for the rest of us.

Both of these “poor man’s tunas” are nearshore pelagics, are schooling fish, have similar diets and migrate up and down the Atlantic Coast as far north as the New England states, are accessible to the nearshore boater and often even to the surfcaster and fight like the devil himself.

In the spring as water temperatures hit the low-60s, we see a brief cameo appearance of the Atlantic bonito or Sarda. The Atlantic bonito is a real tuna that has biting, grasping teeth, scales and distinct racing-stripe diagonal lines that go below lateral line. The Atlantic bonito are a somewhat smaller fish than the false albacore, usually in the 2- to 6-pound range, but don’t be too surprised if you hook into a 10-pounder.

Both fish migrate up our Atlantic coast in the spring following 62- to 68-degree water and typically small baits like bay anchovies and Atlantic silversides passing North Carolina during April and May on their way to New Jersey and points north for the summer. Interestingly, on their way south in the fall, the Atlantic bonito apparently remain far offshore, whereas here in North Carolina, we have an excellent fall nearshore fishery for the false albacore (Euthynnus alliteratus).

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Both of these fish will “test” your gear, your line, your drag your leader, your knots and rod as well.

I prefer a 7-foot medium action rod, a 4000-series spinning reel with a reliable drag and spooled with 200 to 250 yards of 10-pound test monofilament line or 10- or 20-pound test braid. You will also need several feet of 20-pound fluorocarbon leader to withstand the toothiness of the bonito and keen eyesight of both of these wary, sharp-eyed fish of the mackerel family.

Of course, the real challenge for tackling both of these speed demons is to catch them on the fly. Most fly fishermen use an eight-weight fly rod with 250- to 400-grain sinking line. The sinking line allows you to work from the surface on down and will also enable you to cast further with fewer false casts. As with spinning gear, make sure you have a drag that can stand up to the blistering runs of up to 20 to 30 miles an hour, a fluorocarbon tippet and again 200 yards of backing with which to fight the fish.

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Here in Central North Carolina, the hot-spot locations include the popular nearshore artificial reefs like AR 315, 320 and 330 (http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/home) and the inlet areas around Bogue, Barden’s and Beaufort and New River, as well of the neighboring Cape Lookout and Lookout Shoals.

In general, early in the day usually is better since the bite can often be over before some people finish their first cup of coffee. So, think daybreak, first light. They are often around during midday, but they are usually in deeper water and harder to locate.

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Both Atlantic bonito and false albacore are predominantly caught with artificial lures and on the fly.

For spinning or conventional tackle, small and shiny rules. So-called heavy metals like Stingsilvers, Kastmasters, Maria lures, small diamond jigs, Crippled Herring spoons, Deadly Dicks and even some swimming plugs that are small and match the hatch will hook up these aggressive fish.

Depending on the wind and sea conditions, one-eighth ounce up to one ounce can be used if the conditions are rough or windy or the fish are deep. I prefer the lighter one-eighth to one-half ounce and work up from there if I need to. The heavier baits can also be vertically jigged when the fish have sounded or later in the day when they may be feeding deeper. We also use silverside mimics of soft plastic baits on a one-fourth ounce to one-half ounce lead jig head. White or clear are the best.

Flies? Clousers are the most popular, anything from an inch in length to three or four inches, again depending on the hatch. These fish can often be very size fussy. If you have long flies, all it takes is a snip here or there to cut it down to the feeding size of the day. Popular colors are white, olive over white, chartreuse or pink with some flash to mimic the shiny stripe of the anchovies or the aptly named silversides.

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Finally, to eat or not to eat, that is the question.

Most agree that the Atlantic bonito makes excellent table fare, especially loined-out like any of the bigger tunas, to remove the dark red flesh along the lateral line. Its meat is actually noticeably lighter in color than the yellowfin tuna, which has a marked reddish color. Unlike the Atlantic bonito or the true albacore, most people don’t find the false albacore particularly haute cuisine, so most are released to swim another day.

Personally, I find the flesh of both the bonito and false albacore on my dinner table. Like the bonito and other tunas, you again need to loin-out the fillets, removing all the dark meat yielding four loin strips of some of the nicest tuna meat you can imagine, as suitable raw for sashimi with some wasabi-soy sauce for dipping, as it is fit for blackening too. Bon appétit! By the way, these fish are currently unregulated in size of bag limit.

With the water temps in the 60s early this year, the bonito are here, from areas just out of New River Inlet to Cape Lookout, and catches have been excellent. Hopefully they will stay around for a few weeks at least before they continue their trek north.

Plenty blues around

The blues are still around and in good numbers, from the small yearling snappers to the gator Hatteras blues.

By the way, the North Carolina record for bluefish is nearly 32 pounds, which was caught way back in 1972. Citation size is 15 pounds.

Fish are taking artificials like Kastmasters, GotCha plugs from the piers, as well as top-water baits, and of course, cut baits on Carolina and fish finder rigs.

Spring sea mullet

The spring sea mullet bite still is going well from surf and piers.

From the ocean fishing piers, sunset to sunrise has been when you can get the hot bite. Of course, there are plenty of skates, dogfish and rays in the mix, especially cownose rays, as this is their spawning season. During the spawning season, you can see schools of hundreds cruising along the beach as they enter our sounds to spawn. These can weigh tens of pounds and provide a formidable fight.

Backwater fishing

Backwater fishing currently consists of sustained trout and red drum bites including on top-water baits. This is from New River to the Neuse. Speaking of the Neuse, the winter striper bite continues to be off the charts now into the spring in many places, but the epicenter is around New Bern. They are also eating top-water baits as well. Nothing better than a top-water bite regardless of species.

Offshore reports good

Offshore reports are good, and people able to get there this week, will find bottom fishing out in 120 feet out to the break, producing hubcap side triggers.

Around the Big Rock, dolphin, kings, wahoo and blackfin tuna were biting well. Wahoo to 79 pounds have been weighed in at Chasin’ Tails.

By the way, it’s time to think of sheepshead, and Chasin’ Tails again has live fiddler crabs for bait.

Pier fishing

As for piers, think sea mullet, especially at night.

Oceanana Pier sea mullet are on and off, and Bogue Pier is good for sea mullet at night, shutting off often at sunrise.

The blues arrived last week, including several monster Hatteras blues. Oh, and by-the-way, the pinfish are here already too.

Seaview Pier reports sea mullet, blues and black drum. Surf City reports killer sea mullet bite at night, as well as blues and black drum. Jolly Roger Pier reports the best bite from 9-11 p.m. and also report blues and black drum.

Bad news, good news

I have recently mentioned the serious shoaling in Bogue Inlet creating a hazardous boating situation.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is on the job dredging Bogue Inlet and environs with the Merritt, one of its side-cast dredges. When this is completed, the connecting channel will have been adjusted and navigational markers replaced to indicate the new channel location.

Stay safe out there.

Bogus notes

1) Check me out at www.Facebook.com/Dr.Bogus.

2) Log onto my web site at www.ncoif.com. It’s repaired and up and running and better than ever.

3) “Ask Dr. Bogus” is on the radio every Monday 7:30 a.m. on WTKF 107.1 FM, 1240 AM. The show is also replayed on Sunday morning at 6 a.m. Call in and “Ask Dr. Bogus,” 1-800-818-2255.

3) I’m located at 118 Conch Court in Sea Dunes just off Coast Guard Road, Emerald Isle 28594. Mailing address is P.O. Box 5225, Emerald Isle, N.C. 28594.

Don’t forget a gift certificate for your favorite angler for fishing lessons or my totally Bogus Fishing Report subscription. Please stop by at any time and say “Hi” or call 252-354-4905.

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