Little Tunny fishing in Florida

Little tunny, the fish Floridians call bonito or false albacore, are pure speed: blitzing schools that tear into glass minnows and pilchards off the ends of piers, jetties and inlets. The southeast coast piers from Palm Beach to Jupiter see them much of the winter, the Panhandle and west coast piers get runs in spring and fall, and clean, green water on a rising tide brings them within casting range. They feed hardest in daylight, especially early morning. Watch for birds and splashing, then cast a 1/2–1 oz silver spoon or a white bucktail and crank it back fast; a live pilchard freelined on a 30 lb fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0–2/0 circle hook is deadly when they will not chase metal. Use a 7–8 ft spinning rod with 15–20 lb braid and a smooth drag, because the first run is long. They bleed heavily and most anglers release them or keep them for shark and kingfish bait rather than the table.