Vertical Jigging with Matthew Toscano of Big Fkn Tuna
Toscano Discusses Jig Fishing
for Tuna with the Marina Del Rey Anglers
Part-One of a Two-Part Series, Jigging for Bluefin Tuna
By Derrek Stewart 12/20/24
The Birth of a Company
Driven by his passion for ocean fishing and a need to
challenge the status quo, Matthew Toscano, in his early 20s, founded the Big Fkn
Tuna Tackle Company in 2021. His journey began in 2017, when he started ocean
fishing with jigs in Southern California. Already working in the tackle
industry, Toscano was told by his peers that he couldn’t bring vertical jigs to
the shop. Refusing to back down, Toscano accepted the challenge, saying, “Oh, I
bet you I can.” This bet, fueled by his passion and determination, was a
significant turning point in his entrepreneurial journey.
His motivation, sparked by a bet, was further fueled by his
foresight. Toscano was quick to recognize the burgeoning popularity of Bluefin
Tuna angling in So Cal. While other anglers were just beginning to discover the
allure of Bluefin, Toscano was already using Shimano Butterfly Flat Fall Jigs
and similar products. He noticed that these lures were constantly out of stock
in California and saw an opportunity. Toscano knew he could easily obtain them
from Florida, import them to California, and sell them to this local budding
market.
Winning that bet was just the beginning for Toscano. “I
learned a lot from importing jigs from Florida. I liked these products, but
much was left unfulfilled in my arsenal.” Recognizing that tuna fishing in
Southern California differed from the East Coast fishery, Toscano identified
specific gaps or 'vacancies' in his local tuna jig fishing system. These were
the areas where he felt his arsenal was lacking and where he saw an opportunity
to innovate and improve.
A Need for Speed
The
Shimano Butterfly Flat Fall jig is a precursor to the present-day Vertical
Knife Jig. There is a reason it has Butterfly in its name. The Flat Fall,
by design, has a flutter action on the descent. This action has its place and
time but is slow when targeting deep Bluefin Tuna. When a Flat Fall or similar
action jigs drop to the correct depth, the Bluefin are often gone. When So Cal
anglers discuss angling for Bluefin with jigs, you’ll frequently hear them say;
the first one down gets the bite!
Toscano bounced ideas off
people from both coasts and began designing jigs that suited his needs.
Notably, long, slender jigs that would descend quickly, reaching depths and the
bottom fast, which were not available in 2019 and 2020. At the risk of sounding
like a cliché, necessity is indeed the mother of invention, hence the birth of
Toscano’s Big Fkn Tuna Tackle Company.
Vertical Jigs, Style and Purpose
During the onset of this up-and-coming Tuna jigging market,
everyone was fishing the Flat Fall, a jig known for its unique fluttering
action as it falls through the water. We know the Flat Fall's attributes, and
due to familiarity, anglers couldn't stop talking about this jig. However,
Toscano wanted a jig that would cut through the water with a fast drop. Enter
the BFT Maguro Knife Jig, a long, skinny, slender jig explicitly designed to
target local big Bluefin Tuna.
Maguro is the Japanese word for Tuna. The BFT Maguro jig
resembles a knife, and the Flat Fall jig is reminiscent of a spoon, producing
different hydrodynamic actions. “I receive a lot of questions on when to use a
knife jig versus a spoon-style jig,” Tuscano explains that a knife jig is
highly efficient when using a shorter rod, and fish, like a Tuna, swim under
and past the boat quickly.
The success of the knife jig is closely tied to the
'Stop-and-Go' sport boat tactics of Bluefin hunting. This tactic, where the
boat moves and searches with sonar at a rapid pace, is crucial. Once the
captain locates a school, he will stop the boat, and the call to ‘drop them’
goes out.
“At that point, if you’re not in the water, or your jig is
slowly fluttering down, most of the time you’re not going to intercept these
fast-moving fish and produce a bite.”
Jig Size and Conditions
Understanding the significance of jig selection is crucial
for successful tuna fishing. The standard jig weight during the day and mild
current nighttime fishing ranges from 120 to 250 grams. However, the size of
the jig is situational, depending on the current strength and the Tuna's depth,
making it a challenging yet essential aspect of the sport. This knowledge not
only enhances the fishing experience but also empowers anglers, motivating them
to learn and improve their skills by obtaining a wide selection of jigs and
corresponding weights.
If the current is strong, jigs weighing 300 grams to as heavy as 500 grams are necessary. The heavier knife jig is typical of nighttime
angling when the current, typically, is more substantial. During the day, a
mild current can occur. If the Tuna are higher in the water column, from the
surface to 300 feet, it's an excellent time to drop a Flat Fall. The fluttering
action of a Flat Fall jig is a superb imitation of a dying sardine that stays
up in the water column.
"Anything over 300 feet, I'm back to the knife
jig." At these depths, your lighter, slow-falling jigs will 'scope out,'
and you won't produce a strike. 'Scope Out' refers to a lure that has drifted
away from the boat. A lure that has scoped out is easy to detect as your line
will be at a pronounced angle pointing away from the boat. If you're on the
wrong side of the boat, with the current coming at you; your jig will be scoping
under the boat. The captain stops the boat directly over a tuna school. So,
without question, you want your jig to be vertical, directly below the boat.
If you have scoped out, you have drifted out of the zone,
and bites are unlikely. Reading the actual depth of your lure is also hindered
when your lure is scoping away from the boat. Many anglers use a metered braid
main line for this type of fishing. Metered braid changes color at a specific
measured interval. If your line drifts away from the boat, the angle of descent
and the markings on your line will falsely indicate the actual depth of your
lure.
When the captain says the Tuna are 300 feet down, it means
300 feet directly below the boat. "You need to be straight up and down at
the correct depth, or you're not getting bit."
These guidelines serve as a foundation for successful tuna
fishing, but they are not set in stone. Tuna can be extremely particular in
what will trigger a strike, and conditions can change rapidly. Anglers should
continually evaluate the specific conditions that are taking place during their
time at the rail and make appropriate adjustments.
The Shadow of the Boat
“Fishing boats create a shadow in the water. Anglers,
typically can’t see it, but Bluefin can, and that is where they like to hang
out.” The sonar is pointing down, and the boat’s shadow is below the boat. “So,
if you’re able to keep your jig in that zone, you’re most likely going to get
bit.”
Seasoned, savvy Tuna anglers will be ready on the rail
waiting. Prepared for the right moment to drop their jigs. “If they’re the
first one down, manage to keep their jig vertical, they’re bit 90 percent of
the time.” When the captain tells you to drop them, and you’re sluggishly
getting out of your bunk, struggling to put your deck boots on, waddling over to
the rail, the bite is most likely over with before you make your drop.
You must be ready. Whether it is healthy or not, Toscano
will drink a few energy drinks, staying up all night, ready to rock and roll the
moment opportunity presents itself. Sometimes fishing is slow, and the
prospects seldom occur. It is very plausible that the difference in catching
can come down to one stop on a particular school of Tuna. Being prepared and
ready to properly drop, could be the only shot of the trip you have.
The Past Meets the Present
As the owner of BFT Toscano proudly and with great
satisfaction loves catching fish on his jigs. The Maguro Jig, as previously
discussed, is a BFT Knife Jig. This long slender speed jig will drop fast and
produce a zig-zag action as you reel it up.
The BFT Yorai Jig, similar in design to an Eddie Bomb Jig,
has rapidly gained popularity. The Yorai is an excellent confidence jig for
beginners. “It’s easy to fish; the Yorai will resist scoping out, unlike other
long slender knife jigs.” The Yorai has less resistance as it drops through the
water. “Just like shooting a bullet into the water, it cuts through the water well.”
All BFT Jig products are available with ultraviolet paint
patterns. This color technique is used both during the day and night. However,
it's highly popular at night; anglers will employ a black light to generate a
glow from the UV paint. Many marine animals, like squid, produce
bioluminescence. These jigs stand out as they glow in the ocean's dark depths,
and Tuna undoubtedly eat them.
Conversely, recalling inspiration from past tackle, Toscano
still uses the products that motivated him to strive for a better jig. Located
on the bottom left in the graphic above is the Daiwa SK Jig, a popular hybrid
jig that features an action combining the dynamics of both a knife jig and a
spoon jig.
Another favored jig in the Rasta color pattern is the Nomad
Streaker, bottom center. “I don’t know why, but Tuna really like the Rasta
pattern.” The Rasta is a crucial factor when selecting a jig color.
Another good jig is the West Coast Jigger, bottom right
above. “It has superb action and has accounted for a lot of success.” The BFT, SK,
Nomad Streaker, and the West Coast Jigger are just a few examples of the wide
variety of jigs that have proven to be effective, putting a lot of Tuna on the
deck.
Jigging Tackle
Jigging Rods
Toscano brought several rod, reel, and jig set-ups,
demonstrating his authenticity. “If I recommend tackle, it’s because that’s
what I use.” It’s all personal preference, yet Toscano gravitates to shorter
rods with a middle-of-the-road price point for his jigging style.
The United Composite CXJ 604 and 605 rods are in his
arsenal. The last numeral in the rod number represents the Japanese
manufacturer’s PE rating. Add a zero after the four, meaning a 40-pound
test-rated rod. The “PE Rating” on a fishing rod refers to the test of the
braided fishing line that the rod is designed to handle. Braid is typically
made from polyethylene, hence the abbreviation PE.
The 604 is slightly softer at the tip than the 50-pound rated
605. Toscano will use the 604 for his lighter model jigs. Toscano prefers a 250-to-300-gram
jig with the CXJ 604, and it’s his daytime rod. Most manufacturers provide
online lure weight ratings for each rod model.
“The UC CXJ 605 is my heavier outfit. I use the 605 when
targeting 80 to 200-pound class Tuna at Night.” Toscano points out the 605 is
much stiffer in the tip, demonstrating very little play at the end of the rod.
Toscano likes to employ the BFT Yorai Jig (Eddy Bomb Style)
with his CXJ 605. “The Yorai is a fast-dropping jig. So, when I do get bit, I
can place the drag lever on high and start cranking on the fish with maximum
pressure.”
Phenix Megalodon rod blanks are made from graphite, making
them much lighter. The trade-off is graphite also makes them stiffer.
However, the lighter rod allows an angler to fish all day and throughout the
night with less fatigue, making them a good all-around choice.
There’s a lot of good choices on the market. Toscano
advocates visiting your favorite tackle shop and asking to pull on one. It’s
all about personal preferences. “I recommend a custom-made rod with
spiral-wrapped guides; that’s my choice.”
Spiral Wrapped Guides
A spiral-wrapped fishing rod, also known as an acid-wrapped
rod, is a baitcasting rod with the guides, as the name suggests, arranged in
the spiral pattern on the rod blank. The first guide starts on the top of the
rod blank; each subsequent guide then begins to rotate along the blank, with
the last guide at the tip ending with a 180-degree offset on the bottom of the
blank.
During the action imparted by the angler when jigging, the
line can frequently catch and wrap across the rod tip guide. If a fish takes a
lure, and the line is wrapped on the tip, the rod tip is easily snapped off.
It's a frequent occurrence, and when that happens, that rod is out of
commission. “You’ll notice that every rod I have is spiral-wrapped.” United
Composites makes a new GPC XJ with factory-wrapped spiral guides.
Reels
Toscano prefers a single-speed reel as he likes a clicking
drag. His reels will also be narrow models, which he explains allow for clean
line placement back onto the reel as one brings line in. “If your line builds
up to one side, you won’t drop as fast, and if the line buries into the spool,
the reel will lock up.”
The Shimano Ocea Jigger 2500LD or 4000 is readily available,
easy to find replacement parts, and is designed for this fishing type. “It’s a
small reel that puts out a lot of drag. Light in weight, yet fishes heavy line,
it’s exactly the type of reel I want for this type of fishing.”
“You don’t want a heavy reel.” The 2500LD lever drag fishes
65-pound braid with 80-pound monofilament on top. “This is a set-up that I use
during the daytime, with small 150-to-250-gram jigs. It’s perfect for fish in
the 150-to-200-foot depths, especially when they’re finicky or want smaller
bait.”
Sometimes, Tuna don’t want bait; you toss a jig out
there, and you’re bit well. They come up when you hook them on a short, stout
rod with a heavy mono top shot. There is no way you’ll lose them unless someone
tangles you, and there goes that fish. But remember, “Tangles happen a lot,
especially when it comes to Tuna fishing.”
"Just because I call it a jigging reel doesn't mean it
can't be used for other purposes. My father successfully used my 2500LD reel
for fly-lining bait. The same principle applies to other reels as well. This
flexibility can be reassuring for anglers on a budget who want to maximize equipment versatility."
The Penn Torque 40 is similar to the Jigger 4000 but is a
two-speed reel. A Penn Fathom 40, a Shimano Talica 20, the Avid HX, and an Avid HXJ in
the Raptor version will all work well for this type of fishing. “I recommend
upgrading your reels with a bigger handle.” The more oversized handle, 100 or
110 millimeters, adds more torque to the reel.
“Again, it’s freedom of choice, honestly fish what you have.
This is what I fish, what I like. I’ve used them for a few years already and
have caught plenty of fish over the 150-pound mark.”
Fishing Line
“There are only two types of line I use for Bluefin Tuna
fishing. Izorline or PowerPro braid, these 65 to 100 pound lines are the only
two spectra lines metered every 100 feet.” These two braided lines change to a different
color for each 100 feet of line. “I fish these lines religiously, so I know
exactly what depth my lure is at."
Some anglers use straight white braid and mark it with a
sharpy. However, without a line counter, this can be a tricky task. If you're
getting your line spooled at the tackle shop, it's best not to ask them to mark
the white braid. Doing so can make their job more difficult, and they might not
appreciate it.
After your white braid gets wet and has been on the reel for
a while, the sharpy ink will bleed, making the entire spool of white braid
spotty, with black specks throughout. “Unless the guy next to you, using white
braid, is a god and knows exactly how deep he is always, you’ll have a big
advantage over that. The metered spectra is a must; I 100 percent recommend
metered spectra.”
Toscano uses 80-to-100-pound wind-on top shot, hollow-core braid to monofilament, made by the DP Tackle Company. The hollow-core wind-on leader material avoids a knot.
Toscano views this type of wind-on leader material as a more manageable time saver.
Toscano recommends an FG connection knot if an angler uses non-hollow-core braid with a mono
top shot. Be careful, though; a knot on a wind-on leader can cut your finger
when dropping your jig.
Toscano has two or three hollow-core wind-on leaders in his tackle bag,
ready to go, swapping them out as needed. At 15 feet long, if the leader rubs
on a fish, frays it, Toscano will trim the leader, re-tie the hook and is
quickly back in action.
“Like everything else, a knotless wind-on leader versus a knot
connection, use what you’re comfortable with. I’ve excelled with a hollow-core wind-on. It’s
a stronger connection on the loop, and I have the confidence that once I see
the loop come onto the reel, I can dial the drag all the way and crank that
Tuna up. At that point, there’s no way the fish is getting off; the fish is
done, it’s over!”
Rigging the Jig
There are several opinions on how to rig vertical Tuna jigs.
Toscano only recommends and uses assist hooks. When hooked, properly rigged
assist hooks allow a Tuna to swim freely and limit the fish's ability to use
the weight of the jig to throw and dislodge the lure. BFT uses a rope that
combines Kevlar with Polyethylene (PE). This rope acts as a shock absorber,
perfect and Tuna ready.
BFT has an assist hook size that will suit all BFT jigs or
anyone's local Tuna jigs. BFT assist hooks feature a glow-in-the-dark threaded
skirt. The days of assist hook rope breaking or getting chewed off are long gone.
Looking at fish counts from five years ago to now, the biomass is relatively
the same. Back then, anglers didn't know how to fish for Tuna like they do now. "That Flat Fall with a J-hook most likely accounted for many lost fish. Treble
hooks can produce the same result."
The design of a treble hook features three small barbs. In a
perfect world, a Tuna would swallow the treble, all three barbs would attach,
closing its mouth, the fish would drown on the way up, and you would reel in a
dead fish. Tuna must swim with their mouths open. Water passing over the gills is the only method that allows them the ability to breathe.
Reeling in a dead Tuna, easy and fabulous, you'll kill them once they're on board anyway.
You land a 200-pound Tuna in a couple of minutes, spectacular! That's if they
close their mouth and you lock them up. The chances are that will not happen; what you really have is one barb of the treble in the fish. A barb half the size of
any other hook and lodged in a smaller area of the fish's mouth. Tuna are strong, fast, hard fighting fish, that require putting a lot of pressure on the them, so a treble hook is prone to
pulling free.
It's much better to disperse that pressure across a bigger
piece of metal, which is why Toscano doesn't use trebles. "I always use
double assist hooks rigged on the bottom of a Tuna jig." If you place a hook on the top of a jig, and one on the bottom, you stand a high probability of
hooking the side of Tuna's head or body with the free swinging hook.
You can't turn the Tuna's head towards you when this occurs.
Instead of bringing the fish in the way it naturally swims, you're pulling that fish
sideways. The resistance against the water is greater, and fighting a fish hooked this way is extremely strenuous.
Deckhands often grab your jig when a fish is pulled over the
rail and onto the deck. Having hooks on both ends of the jig is dangerous. A
Tuna flopping on deck can easily swing a free hook into someone's leg. That's
why you'll often see a deckhand cut that free hook off the lure before handling
the catch. The crew truly doesn't want you to rig your jigs this way; some captains will insist that you don't.
So, make it easy on yourself, save time and money, and just
use double assist hooks on the bottom end of the jig. Today, it's common to
catch 10 to 15 fish in a single day. That's due to modern assist hooks.
Conditions and Boat Drift
“Conditions and boat drift are overlooked circumstances, and
I seldom hear anglers talk about them. The topic is something I like discussing
when it comes to Bluefin fishing. I feel it helps me catch many more fish, and
I think anglers should investigate it.”
“I go Tuna fishing whenever I can. If there’s a spot open on a boat,
I’m probably going. But I’ll check out YouTube videos before I get on that
boat. By watching these videos, I’ve noticed boat captains have certain
tendencies in setting up the boat on spots. These habits create a particular
drift, backward or forward, every single time.”
“For example, the Ranger 85, this boat always drifts backward. So, as it drifts with the stern, I already know I’m going to the bow.
Imagine the triangle that represents the bow. I’ll flip my jig up.”
“Immediately, you’ll notice if the boat is going to the
right or the left. You’ll know before the captain does because your jig is
going to tell you, and you’re already on the bottom. This is where staying
vertical comes into play.”
“You’ll be vertical 100 percent of the time when you flip
upwind and come down. That’s when knowing the boat you’re on and how it
typically drifts pays off. I memorize this by watching YouTube videos to see
how they drift and fish.”
“It’s all based on the captain and their tendencies. If you
can memorize their habits, you’ll have a success advantage. It lets me know
where to go as soon as the boat stops.”
“One more tip: I use an app that tells me how much current
there is and how much wind will blow. This app homework determines which jigs I
will place at the forefront of my tackle bag preparation. I’ll take everything,
I’ve already bought it, so I might as well take it. Nonetheless, I have a
focused game plan.”
Wow,
an Excellent Tutorial!
Thank you, Matthew Toscano! The
Marina Del Rey Anglers are truly privileged to have access to your invaluable
angling knowledge. Your time and effort in sharing and presenting your
expertise are deeply appreciated.
The information Toscano has
shared with us is outstanding. If you're a veteran Bluefin Tuna angler, hearing
new perspectives and revisiting fundamentals is always good practice. If you're
new to this type of fishing, there's no question that Toscano's discussion,
with its explanations and practical tips, will accelerate your learning curve,
putting you on a path toward your next Bluefin catch.
Let's show our gratitude in a
tangible way by visiting and supporting Matthew Toscano's Big Fkn Tuna Tackle.
Our support is not just a gesture of thanks, but a responsibility we all share
in nurturing and promoting the angling community.
Coming soon to DSF, Part Two of this two-part series, Jigging for Bottom Fish.
Coming
Soon: Part 2 of this Two-Part Series, BFT Jigging for Bottom Fish.
Author’s note: when
discussing the local Southern California waters, it's important to remember
that Mexican waters south of the border, Baja California, are common to this
location reference. These locations are especially true for San Diego’s
sportfishing fleet. Situated directly on the Mexican/US border, it’s a regular
occurrence for San Diego sportfishing charters to venture into Mexican waters.
Anglers, armed with the knowledge that the pelagic Bluefin species, influenced
by conditions, locally have a wide range from Mexico to the West Coast of the
United States, can strategically plan their fishing trips. They predominantly
arrive in spring, approximately three months after leaving their spawning
grounds between Japan and the Philippines in the Eastern Pacific. Understanding
these migration patterns is crucial for successful fishing.
Bluefin, the
epitome of resilience, first make their North American appearance in the warm
waters of Mexico. They then embark on their remarkable migration north into
California, following the warm water and their food supply. They remain
offshore in North American waters, a testament to their strength, until they
are 3 to 5 years old. When the time comes for the Bluefin to leave California,
they journey back to their spawning grounds on a great migration across the
vast Pacific, an awe-inspiring journey.
