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The ICAST 2024 Best of Show award winners! See which new products took home the top honors, from saltwater reels to freshwater soft lures and more. Order several “Best in Show” winning products right from FishTack, your leader in fishing tackle and gear!
ICAST 2024: Best of Show Award Winners
ICAST is the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, where the latest and greatest fishing gear is unveiled.
The “Best of Show” award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a new product at ICAST, and it’s a testament to the innovation and creativity of the fishing industry.
The winners represent a wide range of fishing products, from saltwater reels to freshwater soft lures. The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts, and they were chosen based on their innovative design, performance, and value.
Early Season Northeast Tuna Trolling
Score big on tuna! Target bluefin & yellowfin in early Northeast season with expert tips on trolling eddies, tackle & techniques. Reel in your dream catch!
Hitting the Jackpot on the Gulf Stream’s Edge
Tuna season in the Northeast – a time for epic battles, screaming reels, and the glistening flash of a prize catch. But for those who can’t wait until the heart of summer, there’s a hidden gem: early season tuna trolling on the fringes of the Gulf Stream. Here at TackleDirect, our angler driven staff have decades of experience chasing these early birds, and we’re here to share the intel to get you hooked up.
Eddy Explorers: Unveiling the Early Season Tuna Haven
The Gulf Stream, a powerful ribbon of warm water snaking up the Eastern Seaboard, plays a starring role in this story. But it’s not the main course – we’re after the eddies. These swirling currents, like miniature whirlpools, break off from the Gulf Stream, carrying a rich buffet of baitfish and, crucially for us, hungry tuna and other pelagics.
These eddies are the early season tuna’s playground. They act like underwater islands, attracting schools of bluefin and yellowfin tuna as they migrate north for the summer. Finding these eddies is key to an early season haul. Luckily, modern sea surface temperature (SST) charts and advanced sonar technology make locating these prime spots easier than ever before.
Bluefin vs. Yellowfin: Early Season Odds in the Eddy
Now, let’s talk about the main event – the tuna themselves. Early season tuna fishing offers the chance to tangle with two prized species: the mighty bluefin and the acrobatic yellowfin. Knowing the telltale signs of each species can be crucial. Bluefin tend to favor cooler water on the inshore lumps, while yellowfin will be found in deeper, warmer water found in our local canyons.
Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna are the undisputed heavyweight champions. These brutes can tip the scales at over 1,000 pounds, and their powerful runs will test your tackle and your mettle. While giants are less common, you’ve got a good shot at landing smaller (but still impressive) bluefin up to 150lbs or so. These guys are aggressive feeders, making them a great target.. They tend to travel in tight schools, making trolling a highly productive method before the water really warms up in the heart of summer.
Expectations for Bluefin Tuna:
- Rarity: Bluefin will follow the eddies on their way north before splitting off where they can be found on the inshore 20-30 fathom lumps and hills.
- Size: While smaller schoolie bluefin (30-75 lbs) are more likely, bluefin in the 150lb range can be had.
- The Payoff: If you manage to land a bluefin, even a schoolie, it’s a major accomplishment. These prized fish are not only delicious but legendary fighters, putting your skills and gear to the ultimate test.
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna are the speed demons of the sea. These sleek, torpedo-shaped fish are known for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. They tend to be smaller than bluefin, typically in the 20- to 80-pound range, but their fighting spirit is undeniable. The good news is, yellowfin are often plentiful in early season eddies, giving you more shots at hooking up. They’re also known for their delicious, lean meat.
Expectations for Yellowfin Tuna:
- Abundance: Yellowfin are the rockstars of the early season eddy scene. They’re more plentiful in the warmer waters that an early season eddy can bring.
- Size: Expect yellowfin in the 20- to 80-pound range.
- Action-Packed: With more yellowfin around, you’ll have more opportunities for multiple hookups. The early season can be a fantastic time to experience the thrill of battling these acrobatic fighters.
The Bottom Line: Bluefin vs. Yellowfin Odds
While bluefin are the ultimate prize for many anglers, the yellowfin tuna is typically the number one target on the offshore grounds. If you are preferring to target bluefin tuna on the inshore grounds, you may have less overall shots at catching throughout the course of a trip, but you will typically have a shot at catching a larger fish if you can locate them.
Must-Have Tools for Early Season Success
Conquering these titans requires the right tools for the job. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Downriggers & Planers: These essential tools allow you to precisely position your lures at the desired depth where tuna are feeding. A planer can be deadly on inshore bluefin early on in the season.
- Fighting Belt & Harness: When a big tuna hits, you’ll need a fighting belt and harness to battle the fish safely and effectively. These will help tire out the fish without risking injury to yourself or the tuna.
- Safety Gear: Safety first, always! Life jackets, a first-aid kit, and a working radio are non-negotiables.
