For northeast anglers, fall is welcome not only for the cooler, dryer temperatures, but also for the new batch of game fish that appear with the cooling water. One of these fish is the false albacore.

Generally found in the shallow coastline waters, they are there because of their migration south.  While their appearance may result in anglers thinking they have spotted a small tuna (or Atlantic Bonito) it is simple to identify the false albacore. The first think that will prevent this relation to tuna and mackerel from being mistaken is the worm like lines down their back. An even better sign that you spotted (or caught) a little tunny is the lack of teeth.

False albacore have been spotted along the coastlines from as far south as Florida and as far North as Massachusetts. Generally you’ll find them traveling in schools and they are often forced to the surface by pods of baitfish. Once they are near the surface, they maintain similar speed to the tuna and they will quickly wipe out a school of baitfish.  Sharks and other similar game fish make a meal of the false albacore. Anglers who are interested in a fish that fights are drawn to the false albacore. In spite of their smaller size, these fish fight as hard as a tuna and inshore fisherman welcome their appearance.  A fisherman could be caught unaware, since the false albacore can strip a reel of every inch of line before they even know what happened.  Getting the false albacore in close proximity to a boat provides the fisherman with the ability to allow the tunny to wear itself out fighting in circles like their tuna cousins.  It’s rare but from time to time false albacore can be as large as the mid-teens in weight, though typically they range in the five to ten pound area.  This is not a fish you are interested in catching for dinner however as they are not a particularly appealing fare.

Locating false albacore doesn’t take any particular skills, merely knowledge of where they can be found. Typically you can find them in areas where seagulls are feeding on schools of baitfish. Seagulls often prefer the same diet as the false albacore, making them fairly easy to identify.  Another advantage of the false albacore is they often return to the same spot for feeding.  Areas with fast moving water such as those found around large rock piles, between islands and around artificial reefs tend to be great grounds for finding the tunny.  You may find some success using blind casting because often even if you can’t see them, they are likely to be hiding in deeper waters – they typically do not vacate an area unless the baitfish supply has been depleted or have moved on to other areas.

Shoreline locations and beaches are typical grounds for the tunny.  You can sometimes find them feeding in the same areas that are inhabited by bluefish, striped bass and other predatory fishes. This allows some casting opportunities right from the beach.  Common lures for the false albacore are the silver spoons. The theory behind this isn’t that difficult, they prefer silver slides, peanut bunker and anchovies and the silver spoon mimics these fairly well. In general, a one or two ounce spoon will do the trick.  You may also find some success with soft plastics, top water plugs or small swimmers, though many find the spoon more effective.

If you are cruising along looking for your next fishing hole, watch for diving seagulls. Chances are fairly good that they are diving for baitfish and you may just find that you’ll be on top of a school of false albacore.When you are out saltwater fishing it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. Some of the most popular brands include Shimano Reels, Penn Reels, and Daiwa Saltwater Reels.

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