The Best Tuna Bait

Ballyhoo

• For many years, ballyhoo has been a common bait choice for tuna anglers. It is easy to rig and often brings good catches. Ballyhoo come in a variety of sizes to attract various sizes of tuna. To attract tuna that swim deep, some anglers prefer to troll the ballyhoo below the surface of the water, using downriggers and chin weights.

Mackerel

• Mackerel seem to be irresistible to tuna and can be used as live or frozen bait. The size of the mackerel does not seem to matter. When using mackerel, the angler should be sure to keep a good supply of them on hand and rig them with strong hooks and knots as tuna will attack mackerel energetically.

Sardines

• Sardines are a good choice of bait for smaller tuna, although they have been known to attract larger fish as well. They can be used either dead or alive. Live sardines, however, are considered to be a very active bait and should therefore be avoided by the inexperienced angler.

Squid

• Although some tuna anglers consider it a more difficult bait to rig due to its fragile nature, squid is known to be highly successful at attracting tuna. Squid sourced from the mid-Atlantic is meatier than other kinds and will therefore hold up better in rough waves. Using a sinker to keep the squid slightly submerged can also minimize the degree of bouncing around it will do and keep it intact longer.

Artificial Lures

• Some tuna anglers prefer using a jig head lure instead of natural bait to lure tuna because there is no danger of it disintegrating as it trolls in rough water or below the surface of the water. Jig heads that look like sardines, mackerel and other fish that tuna prey on are readily available.