If you've already been spending any time offshore lately, you've probably heard a few salty veterans raving in regards to the tuna taco lure . It's one of all those pieces of tackle that will sounds a bit funny when you hear the name, but once you observe it dancing in the wake, you realize it's no scam. There's something about the profile and the way this moves through the water that seems to trigger a primal response within big game seafood, especially bluefin plus yellowfin.
Let's be honest, the world of offshore fishing is absolutely packed with various lures. You've obtained your classic planks plugs, your fancy titanium-headed jets, and enough soft materials to fill a stadium. But each once in the while, a particular design comes together that just stays "sticky. " The particular tuna taco lure is one of those. It's become the staple in a lot of bags because it bridges the gap in between a traditional skirted lure and some thing having a bit even more "meat" and motion.
What is a Tuna Taco Lure?
For those who haven't rigged one up yet, the "taco" style usually pertains to a specific shape and skirt combination. It's often seen as a a slightly flattened or exclusively weighted head that gives it the distinct wobbling or even "flapping" action—hence the name. Unlike a perfectly symmetrical bullet mind that tracks straight as an arrow, the tuna taco lure likes to cause a bit of a scene.
The beauty of this design is within the particular displacement. When you're trolling at 6 to eight take away the, you need a lure that's making a visible path and sending out there vibrations that a tuna can feel by means of its lateral series from a distance. The tuna taco does this exceptionally well. It doesn't just sit generally there; it works the surface, diving plus popping in a way that appears exactly like a panicked baitfish looking to escape a predator.
Picking the best Colors and Sizes
One error I see individuals make is considering they need to buy every single color in the catalog. Appear, tuna can end up being picky, but a person don't require a rainbow in your tackle box. Usually, the tuna taco lure performs most effective in a several tried-and-true schemes.
If it's earlier morning or the sky is a bit overcast, a person can't go incorrect with "Purple Demon" or "Black and Purple" combos. These dark silhouettes remain out contrary to the grey surface of the drinking water, making it easy for a tuna finding out about from the depths to spot the focus on. On those high-sun, blue-water days, changing to something along with a bit of flash—like silver, glowing blue, or maybe the classic "Zucchini" (green, yellow, plus orange)—tends to perform the trick.
Size-wise, most people go through the 5 in order to 7-inch range. When you're targeting schoolie-sized yellowfin, the smaller sized profile is normally a lot. However, if you're out there hunting for the "ghosts"—those substantial bluefin that can turn a reel into a smoking number of metal—stepping upward to a bigger version of the particular tuna taco lure can assist weed out the smaller fish and get the attention of the genuine monsters.
Just how to Rig It Like a Professional
You can have the very best lure in the planet, but if you rig it poorly, you're just going to end up along with a "the 1 that got away" story. When I'm setting up the tuna taco lure , I go with a heavy fluorocarbon leader. While mono is cheaper, fluoro is nearly invisible underwater and offers much better abrasion resistance. If the tuna decides to take an extended run or when the series rubs against the part of the motorboat during the landing, you'll be glad you spent the additional couple of dollars.
- The Hook Set: A one, high-quality 7/0 or 8/0 hook will be usually the special spot. Some men like a dual hook rig, but I find a single hook gives the lure a more natural activity and is much easier to eliminate if you plan on releasing the particular fish.
- The Distance: Make sure your hook will be sitting right at the particular back of the skirt. If the particular hook is hidden too deep in the head, you'll get plenty of strikes but very few hookups. In the event that it's trailing too far back, the lure won't go swimming right.
- Stiff Rigging: Some fishermen prefer a "stiff rig" where the particular hook is kept in a set position using warmth shrink tubing. This particular keeps the hook pointing upward, which could improve your catch rate when the tuna hits from below.
Where to Place It in Your Spread
The tuna taco lure will be incredibly versatile, yet it really excels in specific spots in your trolling spread. Because associated with its aggressive motion, I love placing it on the long corner or even way back in the shotgun position.
When it's on the long corner, it's just outdoors the main brace wash, where the water is the bit clearer. The "taco" action generates enough of the disturbance to attract fish in from the white drinking water of the wake. If you're running a light spread, putting it in the particular "stinger" or shotgun position—way back within the clean water—can be a total game-changer. Sometimes tuna are a bit boat-shy, and seeing the lonely, flapping tuna taco lure hundred yards behind the boat is too much for them to withstand.
Don't become afraid to experiment with your trolling speed, either. Whilst 7 knots is usually the "standard, " some days the particular fish want it moving faster. If you notice the lures are just dragging, kick the particular throttle up the bit until that tuna taco starts "smoking"—that's when it's pulling air down and creating a long, bubbly path behind it.
Why the "Action" Trumps Everything Else
All in all, tuna are visual predators. They have amazing eyesight, but they will also hunt centered on movement. The tuna taco lure doesn't just look like a seafood; it behaves like a fish in distress. That unpredictable, side-to-side wobble mimics a baitfish that's been clipped or is struggling in order to keep up with all the school.
I've seen days exactly where we were pulling expensive, custom-painted fishing bait and having absolutely nothing. Then, we changed out the long-gone line for a tuna taco lure , and within 20 minutes, the reel was screaming. This wasn't because the lure was prettier; it was because the action finally offered the fish a reason to commit.
Maintenance and Care
These lures are tough, however they aren't indestructible. Following a long day in the salt, the first thing you need to do is rinse your own tuna taco lure with fresh water. Salt crystals can create up in the hair or the particular plastic skirts, producing them stiff plus ruining the action for the next trip.
Also, keep close track of the skirts. Following a few strikes from toothy creatures or just general wear and tear, the skirts can start to look a bit ragged. The great thing about the tuna taco design is that a person can usually swap your skirts with no having to buy a whole new mind. Keep a several spares within your deal with box, and you could change the "flavor" of your taco on the fly depending on exactly what the fish are hitting.
Conclusions on the Tuna Taco
Angling is as much about confidence as it is about equipment. If you believe in what you're pulling behind the particular boat, you're heading to fish tougher, stay out much longer, and pay even more focus on the information. Adding a tuna taco lure to your toolbox gives you that will extra bit of confidence. It's a proven producer that has earned its spot in the hallowed halls of just offshore tackle.
Whether or not you're a seasoned pro or somebody just getting their feet wet within the world associated with offshore trolling, give the tuna taco a shot. It's simple to rig, easy to fish, and—most importantly—it flat-out captures fish. There's nothing quite like the sound of a large drag clicking directly into high gear just because a tuna couldn't say no to a taco. Next period you're moving out past the break, ensure you've got a minumum of one of these rigged and able to go. You might just discover it becomes your new favorite "secret tool. "