Below is an article circa 2014 (note the links don't work in it as the old website has been shutdown. But this type of article would have indexed well over 10 years ago. Nowadays, articles have to go way more in depth to be even picked up. Many fishing charters and marine business still have old content that just needs to be updated. You can use old articles like this as a framework and then expand from there.
Tunas are the linebackers of the sea which make them excellent sportfish. They are big, strong, fast, and agile (characteristics of a good linebacker). To make matters even better not only do tuna’s put up a good fight, but they make for excellent table fare. In this article we are going to cover tuna fishing in detail. Below you find plenty of resources about tuna, where to find them, how to catch them, tuna fishing history, and last but not least how to cook them.
There are a number of different types of tuna that can be found all around the world. In this article we won’t cover exotic tuna like dogtooth tuna or other smaller members of the tuna family such as the skipjack, or the bonita. Instead, we will be covering the tuna that you will most likely target if you are fishing for tuna in your hometown, or a dream fishing destination.
Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus Atlanticus)
Pictured of football blackfin tuna caught on Bullbuster monofilament by #BullbusterAmbassador Austin Porter.
The blackfin tuna is one of the smaller tuna’s targeted as a gamefish. They average around 7 Lbs but can reach up to 50Lbs. These tuna’s are often targeting by trolling, vertical jigging, or using live bait methods such as slow trolling, drifting and kite fishing. Blackfin tuna are found mixed in with schools of small yellowfin and large bonitas.
In the United States Blackfin tuna can be found migrating from the Gulf Coast States , the Florida Keys, and the East Coast up to Virginia. The prefer waters up to 70 degrees.
Learn how to catch blackfin tuna by reading tips and reports written by Bullbuster Ambassadors on Blackfin Tuna.
Find Out How To Cook Blackfin Tuna - While blackfin tuna might not be sushi-grade bluefin, it definitely makes a good eat, especially if you know how to cook it. We prefer eating smaller blackfin tuna because you will get better quality meat out of them. We put together a few recipes below on how to cook it.
The photo above was taken of a fat blackfin tuna caught off of Miami, Florida on 20 Lb Bullbuster Monofilament by #BullbusterAmbassador Double Threat Fishing Charters.
Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Yellowfin tuna is one of the most sought after Tuna’s in the world. Not only because they are amazing to eat, but because they have a huge range (they do well in water temperatures between 65 and 88 degrees fahrenheit). They can be found both in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and grow up to 400 Lbs, although the average yellowfin caught is 40-50 Lbs in most parts of the world.
The video below was taken by #BullbusterAmbassador Cpt. Jeff Sneider of a big Yellowfin Tuna coming up to the gaff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqQtLf_dhNg
Read the tips and reports for catching more yellowfins written by #BullbusterAmbassadors here on the Bullbuster Community. (Check Out Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Resources)
Want To Know The Best Yellowfin Tuna Destinations?
Check out the top 10 places in the world to catch yellowfin tuna.
Want To Learn How To Cook Yellowfin Tuna?
Yellowfin tuna is one of the best eating fish in the ocean. It is so good in fact that a lot of times the less you cook it, the better it is. We put together a ton of recipes for yellowfin tuna all into one place.
We have recipes for you sushi lovers who already have your mouths watering and your rice cookers going, recipes for the grill masters out there, the skillet pros, and a little bit of everything in between. Looks like you are going to have to do a lot of fishing to try them all! (Learn More About The Best Yellowfin Tuna Recipes)
Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
Bluefin tuna are the largest and most famous of the tuna. They can reach up to 1500 Lbs and have a long history of being targeted by big game fishing greats such as Zane Grey and Ernest Hemingway.
Learn about the history of the Bluefin Tuna:
Learn how to fish for Bluefin Tuna on spinning tackle!
This isn’t “rigging for Instagram.” This is rigging for the moment a fish is dumping line, the drag is heavy, the rod is pinned, and your connection is the only thing between you and a heartbreak story. When you’re fishing 80 wides for tuna, marlin, swordfish, or any true big-game scenario, you don’t get to hide mistakes. That’s why this splice method is such a valuable skill to learn—and why you’ll see serious crews and experienced captains build their systems around it.
🌊 WHAT PAULY SHOWS IN THIS VIDEO
Pauly keeps it practical and focused. He shows:
✅ How to insert mono into hollow core (the splice method)
✅ How to create a smooth, low-profile connection that runs through guides better
✅ Why this connection is stronger and more reliable than many knot options
✅ How this helps your top-shot hold up when a fish is dumping line and you’re under heavy drag
If you’re newer to hollow core, the “magic” is that the braid is hollow like a sleeve. When mono is inserted inside it, the braid grips it using a finger-trap effect. Under tension, it tightens even more. Done correctly, it’s incredibly secure and very streamlined.
🎯 WHY HOLLOW CORE + MONO TOP-SHOT MATTERS ON 80W REELS
An 80 wide isn’t a casual setup. It’s built for pressure. When you’re fishing heavy drag and big baits, you want a system that behaves predictably under load. A hollow core splice helps you get there.
Here’s what changes immediately:
No big knot bump going through guides
Knots work, but big knots are bulky. They click through rollers, slap through guides, and can hang up at the wrong time. A proper splice is low profile and smooth, which means it feeds cleaner, especially if you’re clearing the deck, repositioning, or winding a fish close.
Less chance of failure at the connection under heavy load
Knot strength can vary a lot based on how it was tied, how it cinched, if it burned, and what kind of mono you used. Splices—when done right—are extremely consistent. Under heavy drag, consistency matters just as much as raw strength.
Cleaner line lay + better capacity on the spool
On big reels, everything builds on everything. A bulky knot can create a high spot, which can cause uneven line lay, especially after long fights. Hollow core backing also gives you better capacity due to the smaller diameter, and the splice connection doesn’t add a big “lump” in the middle of the spool.
A big-game system you can trust when it’s go-time
Confidence matters. When you know your connection is clean and strong, you fish better. You push when you need to push. You don’t baby the fish because you’re worried about a knot.
🧠 WHY NOT JUST RUN STRAIGHT MONO?
A lot of anglers grew up on straight mono, and it still works. But braid backing + mono top-shot became popular for real reasons:
📌 Braid gives you massive capacity and strength for its diameter
📌 Mono gives you stretch, shock absorption, and better handling on deck
📌 Together you get the best of both worlds
The mono top-shot acts like a built-in buffer. Big fish surge. Boats rise and fall. Hooks shake. The stretch helps keep pressure steady and reduces pulled hooks. The braid underneath gives you the yardage and strength to survive long runs and deep battles.
🔧 WHAT MAKES THE SPLICE METHOD DIFFERENT FROM A KNOT?
Knots are external connections. They create a “hard point” where stress concentrates. Under heavy load, any weakness—imperfect cinch, friction damage, tag end slippage—can show up fast.
A splice is different. It’s an internal connection where the braid grips the mono over a long insertion length. Instead of one tight bend doing all the work, the load is distributed along that splice section. That’s why it’s such a reliable connection for heavy tackle.
Also, from a practical standpoint, the splice doesn’t catch in guides the way a knot can. That might sound like a minor detail until you’re in a real fight and you need smooth, uninterrupted line travel.
⚔️ WHEN THIS REALLY PAYS OFF
If you only ever fish smaller species, you might not notice the difference. But the moment you’re fishing true big game, the splice starts paying off immediately:
🐟 Long runs where the fish is dumping line fast
⚓ Heavy drag settings where everything is under max strain
🌊 Rough conditions where the boat is lifting and dropping your pressure
🛥️ Tight maneuvering where you’re winding and repositioning constantly
🎣 Battles where the connection ends up near the guides more than once
This is exactly where knots can become a liability, not because they’re “bad,” but because they’re bulkier, more variable, and more prone to imperfect execution.
🧵 TOP-SHOT LENGTH: WHY IT’S A REAL DECISION
There’s no one perfect top-shot length. What you choose depends on:
✅ Target species (tuna vs marlin vs swords)
✅ Fishing style (trolling, chunking, live bait, kite, deep drop)
✅ How much stretch you want
✅ How much abrasion resistance you need
✅ Your crew’s preferences for handling and leadering
Shorter top-shots give you more direct connection and maximize braid capacity. Longer top-shots give you more stretch and a larger “working section” of mono that can take abrasion and sun exposure before you need to replace it.
That’s why this is such a good comment question: people run wildly different lengths based on what they’re doing, and it’s useful for everyone to compare.
🔥 SMALL DETAILS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Even if you don’t consider yourself a “rigging nerd,” the small details matter when you’re splicing and building big-game setups:
✅ Keep everything clean and organized (mess leads to mistakes)
✅ Use the right hollow core size for the mono you’re inserting
✅ Make sure your insertion length is long enough for the load you’ll be putting it under
✅ Smooth transitions = better line travel and less wear
✅ Build it the same way every time so your results are consistent
This is why videos like Pauly’s are valuable. You can read about this stuff all day, but watching someone do it cleanly makes it click.
🎥 WHO THIS VIDEO IS FOR
If you’re running 80 wides—or moving toward that class of gear—this is a foundational rigging skill. It’s for:
🎣 Tuna guys who want a system that holds under heavy drag
🧿 Marlin anglers who want clean line travel and solid connections
⚔️ Swordfish crews that need reliability when the bite finally happens
🛥️ Anyone building serious offshore tackle and wanting to eliminate weak links
And even if you don’t fish 80s yet, learning this now makes every future setup easier.
👇 COMMENT BELOW
What are you running for your top-shot length on your 80Ws?
Also—are you splicing hollow core to mono, or still tying knots?
#FishingVesselSpotter #PaulyLuwaii #biggamefishing #hollowcore #topshot #monofilament #80wide #offshorefishing #tuna #marlin #fishingrigging.
Shrimp are one of the most effective and versatile baits you can use for inshore fishing. Whether you are fishing flats, bridges, docks, or deeper channels, shrimp consistently produce bites from a wide range of species.
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