Kayak Fishing How to: Vertical Jigging for Tuna

Vertical jigging in a kayak can be an exhausting technique. Jigging even for 30 minutes can leave you feeling like you want to chop your arm off and go to bed. I try to use the lightest rod and reel I can get away with without losing to much drag and power. Pairing that light setup with a technique that alleviates pressure on you shoulder and arm will set you up to have a long and hopefully successful day on the water kayak fishing.

Set up

I use a Shimano Trevala 30-80 pound jigging rod paired with a Quantum Cabo 50 spinning reel. The reel is spooled with 30 pound braid and a 40lb Yozuri fluorocarbon leader attached via uni to uni knot. A 3-5 ounce speed jig caps off the set up. I prefer using the speed jigs, as they are slender and cut through the water quickly giving you less resistance to work the jig to the surface. Jig fishing is all about getting a fish to react to the jig. In the case of a fast moving tuna, a quick moving jig gets the job done.

Technique

When specifically targeting tuna, your target depth of water is 200-320 off Delray Beach Florida. When you reach your target depth see what the current is doing. If it is 1-2 mph try using a 3 ounce jig, if faster bump up to a 5 oz. You want the jig as vertical as possible when retrieving it. If the current is over 2mph throwing the jig ahead of your drift is a good idea so that when it reaches that drop zone of around 150ft down it will be directly under your kayak.

When you start your retrieve try to find a place to plant your foot on your kayak. Your thigh is going to become your base to rest your elbow when jigging. Using this technique will take most all pressure off you shoulder and reduce fatigue. From here it’s just setting up a rhythm of reeling and bouncing your rod tip. Again I like to work the jig fast, if that doesn’t seem to be working slow it up with different retrieves. Check out the video below to see me using this method on the water.

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Inshore Glass minnows have showed up in good numbers and our weak spring mullet run will be right around corner. Artificial baits like DOA Cal Shad Tails, jerk bait and terror eyes will work well around the mangroves, docks and bridges. April also brings tripletail into our river system. Look to target crab trap buoys and channel markers with live shrimp to bring in these tasty fish. Offshore April is the best month of the year! Tuna and Mahi should be in full force. Trolling Sealime Lures should pick up both species as well as other pelagics. Vertical jigging 230-350 feet will also produce blackfin tuna and bonita. There are many beach areas to launch your kayak throughout Palm Beach County. The fishing grounds off our coast are anywhere form 1-3 miles. Look to work the normal 90-200ft depths. Finally don’t forget about the cobia. Bouncing the reef will put you in line for one of these tasty fish. Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into. See you on the water!