| | False Albacore |
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| Towards the middle of summer, as the temperature levels exceed the tolerances of flats feeding fish like stripers and bluefish, we turn our sights to our Gulf Stream adversary, the false albacore. It is here that anglers test their skill as there is no better light tackle quarry! The false albacore or "little tunny" as it has been affectionately called is all about speed! It has a torpedo shaped body, pockets which it can tuck its fins into for reduced drag and a large sickle-shaped tail that propels the fish forward to intercept its unsuspecting prey.
False albacore found in Gardiner's bay, Easthampton, Block Island Sound and Montauk Point weigh on average between 6-12 lbs.. False albacore are capable of blistering, heart stopping runs, which repeatedly take anglers deep into their fly reel backing. There are many days when false albacore get picky and refuse to take a fly or lure no matter how well presented to them. Usually this happens when the wind stops blowing and the tides are weak or when there is a major shift in prevalence of a particular form of bait. | 
False albacore like this are common in New York waters at certain times of the year. | 
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more exciting fly rod adversary that albies! Come and catch 'em up! | The first thing I consider, especially on windless days, is to take the leader system right out of the equation by first lengthening your leader to roughly 12'. Secondly I step step down in tippet size to 10-12 lb. fluorocarbon. Once the leader becomes a non issue you can then concentrate on fly or lure selection. Look into the water and get an accurate idea of what it is their feeding on. Try stepping down in size. GO MICRO! If that doesn't pull the trigger maybe the albies want something bigger. Bottom line on tough days as I have described don't be afraid to experiment!
Color selection can also play an important part in your hook-up success! Remember, on overcast days or when it's early or late go with brighter colors like chartreuse, white, and yellow. During the middle of the day or when its very bright and sunny you need to use colors that better mimic the colors of the baitfish such as olive/white and tan/white. | "Fishing for false albacore is one of my favorite times of the year off New York's Long Island. That's why I love to guide here. Don't miss a chance to get into a pile of these powerful tuna. They'll really give you a day of fishing to remember!" |
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| Gunkholin' Charters False Albacore Fishing Recommended Tackle Selection:Fly Tackle: Scott S3s 9-10 wt. fly rods matched with Danielsson Innovation 9/13 HD Evotech large arbor fly reels. Fly lines include Orvis and Scientific Anglers Mastery Series floating and intermediate wind tapers. Fly leaders are 9-12', 15-20 lb. test with fluorocarbon tippets of the same strength.
Recommended Flies: Smaller crease flies with #1/0 long shank hooks. Clouser minnows for a deeper presentation are very effective in sizes 6-#1/0. The predominant fly in my false albacore box is the epoxy surf candy. I fish it in sizes 8-#1/0 in the following colors: blue/white, chartreuse/white, olive/white, and yellow/white. Note: the same colors apply for both crease flies and Clouser minnows.
Spin Tackle: St. Croix Premier Graphite 7' medium to heavy powered, fast action spin rods matched to Shimano Sustain 4000 spin reels with 20 lb. Power Pro synthetic braided fishing line and 15-20lb. fluorocarbon tippet. Recommended Lures: Whip-it jigs in chartreuse, white, and yellow have become my overwhelming favorite lure when spin fishing for false albacore. Metal jigs such as smaller Deadly Dick's and diamond jigs can also be effective. Plastic baits such as Lunker City's Finesse and Slugo models in 3 and 6" respective sizes work well when these fish get picky. To rig a Finesse plastic bait I use an Owner #2/0 long shank bait hook. As for Slugos I'll use a #3-4/0 Owner offset worm hook. | False Albacore Fishing Tips: - Anglers often make the mistake of retrieving their fly or lure too rapidly when fishing for false albacore. After fishing for false albacore for many years I have found that if you employ a slower, more deliberate retrieve you'll get a lot more consistent hook-ups!
- Keep the fly or lure in the "eat zone" as long as possible!
- Remember, when the going gets tough you have to have less "tunnel vision" and be willing to get out there and experiment with smaller or bigger flies and different tippet configurations!
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