Tag: Yellowfin

  • How to Fight a Big Tuna – Steady Lift & Smooth Retrieve

    How to Fight a Big Tuna – Steady Lift & Smooth Retrieve

    Every battle with a big tuna starts with one rule: stay calm and control the rhythm. The secret lies in four repeating steps — Steady, Lift, Drop, Retrieve — a cycle that keeps tension balanced and power efficient.

    1) Steady – Stay Calm, Feel the Line
    When the reel screams, resist the urge to pull hard. Keep the rod steady and hold your position. Let the drag do the work for a few seconds while you find balance. This is the moment to breathe, adjust stance, and sense the fish’s rhythm. The best anglers win the fight before they lift — by staying calm.

    2) Lift – Controlled Power, Not Force
    Lift slowly from your waist to chest level. Use your legs and body weight, not your arms. Keep a 30–50° rod angle and avoid high‑sticking. Each lift should be smooth, building pressure gradually. You’re not dragging the fish — you’re guiding it.

    3) Drop – Let the Rod Unload, Keep Contact
    After the lift, lower your rod tip gently while maintaining light tension. This lets the rod spring back and absorb the fish’s power. Never let the line go slack — if it does, the hook may fall out. Imagine the rod breathing with the sea: lift, then release.

    4) Retrieve – Reel Down and Reset
    As the rod drops, reel down fast to recover line. Keep the pressure constant. When the rod returns to the start position, pause for half a second — that’s your next “Steady.” The sequence becomes a rhythm: Steady → Lift → Drop → Retrieve → Steady.

    Repeat this cycle patiently. It’s not brute strength but consistency that lands giants. Most breakoffs happen when anglers skip a step or rush the tempo.

    Bonus Tips:
    • Keep drag at 25–30% of line rating; loosen slightly when color appears.
    • Communicate with the captain and follow his instructions — he reads the sea like a map.
    • Move your feet with the fish; don’t fight from one spot.
    • Respect the moment when the silver flash appears below — that’s not just victory, it’s harmony with the ocean.

  • Live Bait Fishing – The Secret Behind Big Catches in Crystal Bay

    Live Bait Fishing – The Secret Behind Big Catches in Crystal Bay

    Every angler asks: why does Crystal Bay produce so many big tuna and other predators? The answer is simple — live bait. The Gulf’s rich ecosystem supports huge schools of sardines, anchovies, and scads, creating the perfect feeding chain. Where there’s bait, there are big fish.

    Live bait fishing is the most natural and exciting way to target giants. Instead of artificial lures, anglers use fresh sardines caught right in the bay. Once hooked through the nose or back, the bait swims freely, attracting tuna, cobia, and even sailfish. The movement, the vibration, the panic — predators can’t resist.

    Our captains know when to switch from trolling to live bait — usually when sonar shows dense bait clouds or when surface activity slows. The technique is simple but precise: drop the bait gently, keep light tension, and wait for the hit. When the line suddenly tightens and the reel screams, you know it’s real.

    What makes Crystal Bay unique is its endless supply of live sardines. The nutrient-rich currents bring fresh bait every day, allowing anglers to fish with the best natural resource the sea provides. This abundance is the true secret behind our record tuna catches.

    After landing your fish, our crew often practices catch-and-release for non-table species, ensuring the bay remains productive for generations. Watching a strong tuna or cobia swim away after release is as rewarding as catching it.

    Respect the sea, use what it offers, and give back. That’s the spirit of Crystal Bay fishing.
    👉 Join a live bait trip and feel the pulse of nature at Tom Tuna Club.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Tuna Fishing in Pattaya

    The Ultimate Guide to Tuna Fishing in Pattaya

    The Ultimate Guide to Tuna Fishing in Pattaya

    Catching a tuna is every angler’s dream — the power, speed, and sheer excitement of the fight make it one of the most rewarding experiences in sportfishing. In Pattaya’s Crystal Bay, tuna season runs from August to April, offering world-class opportunities within just an hour from shore. This guide explains how to prepare, where to fish, and what techniques bring success.

    1. Timing and Conditions
    Tuna are most active during stable weather and moderate currents. Early mornings and late afternoons are the prime times, when baitfish rise and predators feed near the surface. After storms, cooler, oxygen-rich water often triggers feeding frenzies.

    2. Depth and Location
    The best zone for tuna lies between 50–70 meters in Crystal Bay, where cold currents push nutrients upward. Look for surface splashes, diving birds, or dolphins — they’re signs that tuna are close.

    3. Gear and Setup
    For trolling, use 30–50 lb rods, medium-speed reels, and lures such as pink or silver skirts, cedar plugs, or feather jigs. Set trolling speed at 5–7 knots. Always check drag tension — too tight and you’ll snap the line, too loose and the fish will escape.

    4. The Fight
    Once hooked, keep steady pressure and let the rod do the work. Tuna run fast, then circle deep. Avoid pumping the rod too high — lift smoothly, reel down firmly. The battle is about rhythm, not raw strength.

    5. Respect the Catch
    After landing, bleed the fish quickly and keep it on ice. The fresher the handling, the better the taste. Many anglers enjoy sashimi onboard — nothing compares to tuna eaten minutes after landing.

    Bonus Tip: When dolphins appear near the boat, stay alert — tuna often swim beneath them, sharing the same feeding zone.

    Fishing for tuna in Crystal Bay isn’t just sport — it’s a ritual. Every cast, every run, every pull connects you to something ancient and powerful.

  • 1. Skipjack vs Yellowfin – How to Tell the Difference

    1. Skipjack vs Yellowfin – How to Tell the Difference

    Skipjack vs Yellowfin – How to Tell the Difference

    At first glance, both skipjack and yellowfin tuna look similar — streamlined bodies, metallic sheen, and endless energy. But experienced anglers in Crystal Bay can tell them apart long before they surface. The key lies in the fins, patterns, and, most importantly, their behavior under pressure.

    Skipjack tuna, locally called Pla Insee Noi, are compact and feisty. They rarely exceed 10–15 kg and usually travel in large surface schools. Their dark horizontal stripes on the belly are an easy giveaway. Yellowfin, or Pla Insee Luang, are the real bruisers — heavier, deeper-bodied, and equipped with long, golden finlets that gleam under sunlight. A 40 kg yellowfin is a powerhouse, capable of pulling line at lightning speed.

    In Crystal Bay, both species feed on sardines and flying fish. Anglers often spot surface boils when skipjack schools chase bait near the top, while yellowfin prefer deeper, cooler layers around 60–80 meters. Choosing lure depth is critical. Shallow-running plugs for skipjack; weighted trolling baits for yellowfin.

    When hooked, their fight styles differ dramatically. Skipjack dash erratically, often in circles, while yellowfin dig down and test every muscle. Many beginners mistake a skipjack’s speed for size — until they meet a true yellowfin.

    Understanding the difference doesn’t just satisfy curiosity; it improves success rates. Knowing which species you’re chasing helps with bait choice, drag setting, and even ice storage planning. Whether you’re after numbers or that one trophy fish, both tuna make Crystal Bay the heartbeat of Thailand’s offshore fishing scene.

  • Crystal Bay Fishing Log #41 – 3 Boats, 7 Tuna, 10 Diamond Trevallies

    Crystal Bay Fishing Log #41 – 3 Boats, 7 Tuna, 10 Diamond Trevallies

    The 41st trip of the season began beneath a pastel dawn. Three boats glided from Pattaya’s southern pier, cutting through the calm sea like synchronized dancers. Within two hours, the radio buzzed — the first tuna of the day was on! By sunset, the fleet landed 7 tuna and 10 Diamond Trevallies, shining like silver mirrors under the tropical sun.

    Water conditions were near-perfect: 64 meters deep, 28.6°C, and crystal clarity. The prime bite came between 10:00–13:00 when baitfish schools surfaced. The biggest yellowfin weighed 37 kg, hooked on a pink lure trolling at 6 knots.

    The Diamond Trevallies came later — multiple strikes near reef edges, short but fierce battles that left anglers cheering. All were released, respecting the balance of Crystal Bay’s marine life.

    Every log entry adds to our shared knowledge: when to go deep, how to read the current, which lure color shines best in sunlight. These lessons shape every angler’s rhythm.

    Crystal Bay is more than a fishing ground — it’s a classroom for the ocean’s pulse. Each report deepens our understanding, making the next fight smarter and stronger.
    Join the next trip.
    👉 Book now and write your chapter in Crystal Bay’s ongoing story.