Barrels of Fun - Battling Longtails

By Dan Hutchinson

Foreword -

I grew up fishing in lakes and estuaries on the mid coast of New South Wales. Amazing times as a kid with family and friends catching bream, whiting and flathead as well as the odd jewfish in lakes and estuaries. Many lake and estuary anglers are content with this. Many however, want more. They see the huge tuna and billfish being landed in tropical waters on the big game boats on TV and think 'I'd love to do that!' Unfortunately this is something that many recreational fishos will never experience, due to the size of their boat or the price of a charter or fuel bill.

There is an in between however that allows anglers to get that really big fish and even on a regular basis. Longtail tuna are sensationally exciting to catch and accessible to anyone. Unlike their yellowfin cousins, they are not found out wide. They patrol the beaches, headlands and even far into lakes and estuaries when in season. Longtail fishing is accessible for anyone, regardless of the size of your boat. The fuel bills and gear used can be very modest and you can be home within an hour or two after experiencing the fight of your life.

Longtail tuna are amazing fun to catch and pull like a freight train. The power of these fish will leave you with sore Warrick Farms and Fox Moulders, and a memory that you won't forget. This article provides the Who, What, Where and How of longtail tuna fishing. The Why to target them? Is that some inshore recreational anglers may be getting itchy feet catching bream, flathead and whiting and may wish to stretch their legs (and arms) just that little bit more.

Location -

Longtail tuna are a pelagic fish that hunt in packs. The larger the size of the fish, the smaller the pack they travel in. Generally once they get up around that 25kg mark, they tend to cruise around in groups of 5 or 6, patrolling the beaches and headlands. They are a travelling fish that are always moving and will do a lot of kilometres per day, destroying bait schools in their path. They are a hungry and extremely fast growing fish that follow the warm water currents down the East Coast of Australia.

Dependent on where you live, will obviously depend on when they show up in your area. For me on the mid coast of NSW, they tend to show up in late March and will hang around until June. Generally Late April/May is the prime time for me around the Newcastle, Port Stephens area. The further north you live in NSW or Queensland, they will show up earlier. Getting some local knowledge or keeping an eye on social media is a good indication of if they have shown up in your area. When there is one, there are always plenty more.

Fishing headlands, gibbers, close inshore islands or even the tips of breakwalls is the ideal place to find longtails when in season. Usually around that time of the year the light westerly winds start to blow. This makes fishing off the stones a lot easier. In a boat, it means you can generally take very small boats offshore and tuck right in against the headlands and anchor up even in very shallow water. Then the back end of the boat will face the open ocean and this is ideal.

Longtails are also prone to enter estuaries and harbours and find their way several kilometres from the ocean, right up into the far reaches of estuary systems. It's definitely a sight for old Gary and Barbara when they are on the sandbank in their ten foot tinnie catching winter whiting and a school of 30kg tuna start busting up around them!

Time -

Longtail can be caught all throughout the day, however I have had most success in the first hour or two from sunrise. The added advantage of this is that you might have some quality fish in the hutch and you can either head home happy or try another form of fishing as the day has just begun. Another bonus of fishing this early morning time period is that there is generally no wind. It makes baitfish easier to catch and sight through the water a lot easier.

If you come from a background of fishing in lakes and estuaries for bread and butter fish, the thrill from wrangling a huge longtail and seeing it gliding through the top of the water is an awesome sight. I can still remember one fish that a friend Robbie PK hooked on a beautiful morning and it surged through the water right next to the rocks in the crystal clear. It was cruising in and out of the water like a dolphin. He yelled at me "Get the gaff". About 45 minutes later I got the gaff, haha.

Alternatively, late afternoon and dusk fish arguably just as well in the areas mentioned. Often I'll head out after work. It can be dead and quiet when the suns up, however then the glory hour arrives, just before dark, and that period can turn it on. Frequently you can hook up several times for that two hour period before dark, whilst enjoying an icy beverage.

Technique -

There are several proven ways to catch longtail tuna. Dependent on the area, some may prove to be more popular than others. The technique that I generally utilise is anchoring right in close to a headland, gibber or even inside the estuary, if they have been spotted. Remember that these fish hunt in packs, patrolling the coastline.

I will anchor the boat as close to the rocks as possible, that is safe and comfortable, depending on the conditions. If you don't have a boat, no worries, you can do this from the rocks, however make sure you wear a lifejacket.

Generally the best spots will hold bait. As soon as you get to your destination, burley up and as soon as you get a slimey or yakka, pin it through the shoulders and send it out the back of the boat on a float or balloon. It is a bit tricky as the baitfish do have a mind of their own, however if you can have them 30 - 40 metres out the back of the boat, that is ideal.

I find that the bigger the slimey or yakka, the better. They are stronger and generally swim away from the boat a lot easier and are more visible. Once you have got your floats or balloons where you want them. Just sit back and wait. As longtail hunt in packs, you may wait for a while for a bite. Often when they come through though, both rods will go at the same time and mayhem unleashes. The added bonus to this technique is that you are anchored, not using fuel and once the baits are set it can be nice and relaxing.

It is a simple technique that can really reward, not just with longtail but with several other species. Bycatch can include kingfish, cobia, big snapper or even an inshore black marlin. You may also choose to have a flick on lighter gear for a snapper, tailor or squid as headlands generally hold a lot of species.

The other technique that can be used is to get a few slimies or yakka in the live well. This time pin them through the nose on a strong hook, kick the motor over and slow troll only just in gear. The livies will wriggle out the back and pelagics will swim up and belt them. This technique allows you to cover some area and stay on the move a little more.

The final technique is stickbaiting. This is by far the most exciting, frustrating yet rewarding technique for chasing longtail. Often longtail, if they are in a decent pack, will start to hit the surface, which will be visible, especially on calm days or in the estuary. If you are in the vicinity of a bust up flick a stickbait, plastic or metal along the top on lighter gear and longtail will often take the lure. It is an amazing and rewarding sight when seeing a huge longtail stalk a stickbait and belt it in the clear topwater. The only problem with this technique is that longtail move very quickly and chasing after them in the boat can be very frustrating when trying to get a lure in front of them.

Gear -

When live baiting and fishing for longtail the most important factor to remember, which many people find out the hard way, is to have a reel which holds enough line. The runs of the fish are very long and powerful, which can leave you spooled before you know it. Having 500 yards of Platypus Pulse X4 Braid loaded onto the Okuma Cedros spinning reel, complemented by the Okuma Pressure Point 8'3" PE 4.0-6.0 spin rod should handle most fish. This slightly heavier rod allows you to flick stickbaits a real distance and is a great sporting outfit when live baiting.

I have never had any issues with this gear and have given it a good flogging over the years. They are well balanced outfits that give you an excellent cast and the grunt that you require close to the wash. Leader is very important when fishing for longtail. Too light and you're no chance, too heavy and they won't play ball. The Platypus Hard Armour FC Fluorocarbon in 50lb is ideal. About two metres of leader to your hook when live baiting or tied directly to your stickbait. Stickbaits from Fish Inc. are excellent. I have used them all and they have an excellent action. It is hard to say which will work best as it just depends on what entices the fish on the day.

Safety and Ideal Conditions -

Safety first. Always. Fishing near headlands in small boats (or any boat for that matter) can be dangerous, however when an angler chooses ideal conditions, there is very limited risk and epic fishing and great fun can be had. As a rule of thumb however, I never go near the headland areas when the swell is at two metres or more, or when particular winds are heavy, depending on the location. In choosing an ideal fishing location, there should never be breaking waves. Often the swells will surge up the rocks, however breaking waves show that the swell is too big or the location is to shallow, so avoid these areas for safety concerns.

It is hard to say what winds or swell size are appropriate and safe because every location is different and can react differently to weather patterns. Often when fishing an island it can be horrible on one side but excellent on the protected side. Similarly to winds, a south west wind can be ideal in fishing headlands and getting your small boat tucked right in close to shore, however that wind can batter an Island making fishing it hard and dangerous.

My best advice is to get as much local knowledge as possible, from talking to experienced anglers and asking their advice on what winds and swells suits particular spots. Once out there in a new spot for the first few times sit 100 metres off the spot and just watch. If the swell starts to peak or looks like breaking, avoid these areas. Once you have watched the wash zone for over 20 minutes and are satisfied that it is safe, then you can go in for a closer inspection. Keeping an eye on your sounder, ensure that you're in at least 8 metres of water. Often you can tuck right into headlands and be completely safe. This just takes time to learn and know the spots you are fishing first.

Stay safe and get those rods bent.

Gearing Up:
Okuma Cedros Spinning Reels
Okuma Pressure Point Jig / Popping Rods - PP-S-832M 8'3" PE 4.0-6.0

Platypus Pulse X4 Braid
Platypus Hard Armour FC Fluorocarbon Leader - 50lb

Fish Inc. Lures Stickbaits