Bonito and Albie Fishing This Summer

Living up on the North Shore of MA makes it really hard to put in the time needed to effectively target and catch these speedsters. However, for those on the Cape and Islands, Buzzards Bay, Southern RI from Little Compton to Watch Hill and into CT, Albie and Bonito fishing is beginning to heat up. Anglers hurling small shiny tins like Deadly Dicks, Yozuri L-Jacks, Maria Jigs, and Pt. Judes at inlets, outflows, jetties, breachways, even open beaches will all have a shot at a bone or albie from now until October, assuming the bait is there to keep these fish feeding. I truly envy those who can target these speedsters every day.

I do however, get to fish for bones and albies almost excusively when I fish the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby each year, and one lure that I love to use is the Spofford's Needlefish, originally made by Arnold Spofford on the Vineyard. Since Mr. Spofford's passing, these lures have become difficult to find, especially off the island of MV, so I suggest buying them up when you find them. The slim profile of these needlefish mimic sandeels and silversides perfectly, and draw some incredibly viscious strikes. I wrote an article in the August 2010 On The Water NE edition about using these baits for albies and bonito, so if you have that issue, you should take a look back at it.

Even though the Spofford Needle looks simple, and is not as flashy as the newer metal lures on the market, there is not doubting their effectiveness. A small selection of fishermen on the Vineyard and Nantucket know how well these lures work and use them excusively for bones and albies.

I recommend trying one of these if you can find them, or even using the smallest Super Strike or Choopy needles. Fish them with a fairly quick retrieve and impart action with the rod tip. I prefer to hold my tip down and to the side and impart the desired action by twitching the rod. When done correctly this will mimic a fleeing baitfish perfectly.

Don't forget the other topwater baits too. Jumpin Minnows, Tattoo Walking Sticks, and small pencil poppers all work extremely well.  Next time you're out fishing for funny fish, make sure you bring along a few topwaters. You won't be disappointed.

Tight Lines,
S.B.