Gulf Coast - Blackfin tuna out of Gulf Shores

I've heard about catching blackfin tuna behind shrimp boats in Louisiana, but never much about the practice in Alabama. I am committed to learning to catch tuna this summer, and have heard about catching blackfin on jigging spoons and bait around the floaters, but am wondering if other options exist?

ur closest option would be petronious... prolly 65 miles southwest of OB not really sure of distance.... great rig for jigging blackfin at night... use diamond jigs... sooo much fun bro.... good luck!!!!

Thanks, PoolBoy! I have a plan for a run to the deep rigs, and that will be my first option. I watched a TV show where they caugh Blackfins and lots of other interesting fish right off the stern of a deep-water shrimp boat when the shrimpers were culling I know they catch Royal Reds off the Alabama coast, so was wondering if that option might be worthwhile as well.

At what depth do you typically find blackfin? Do you only catch them at night? Are they good eating? I know most people use blacks to chunk. Are the YFT near petronious?

Blackfin are regularly caught 30 miles to the SE trolling the edge area as well. Your chances of filling up the boat are far greater at the Petronius, or any other deep rig, jigging at night tho. I prefer Williamson jigs but anything will work-take plenty!!

stop at MainPass 255 on the way out. have found them there also.

haul them in fast or you might get only the head.

hey to answer your original question, yes they will hold around shrimp boats but the shrimping fleet is pretty unpredictable about where they will be and when so it is tough to plan a long range trip out 40-60 miles and not be able to find the shrimpers. So yes they are good to fish at but it is hard to target them specifically. My advise, set your sights for the deep water rigs and if you run into the shrimpers try them out.

Schools can usually be found around the nipple around sunrise and sunset.
Not the bigger ones as can be found at the rigs, but nice footballs.

The ProKat will be running long (and deep) this summer for sure; I'll be loaded down with jigging spoons, poppers, and some bait. I'll be looking to "buddy boat", so if anyone is headed out in late May through July, send me a PM and we can at least keep in contact.

No one answered, but they are very good eating IMO. Not sure I could tell them from YFT.

Not an expert, but have caught them trolling and jigging during the day, on poppers around rigs and whale shark, as well as at night around rigs with jigs.

No one answered, but they are very good eating IMO. Not sure I could tell them from YFT.

Not an expert, but have caught them trolling and jigging during the day, on poppers around rigs and whale shark, as well as at night around rigs with jigs.

I agree!!!! i will be a jigging fool out there at night!!!! they are very good eats....