How to Set the Hook in Saltwater Tuna Fishing

Proper line, hook and bait preparation is required to set the hook properly in saltwater tuna fishing. The fish actually set the hook themselves if the bait is on the hook properly, so the most skill is required when keeping the fish on the line while reeling it towards the boat.

• 1

  Set your line up by attaching the monofilament line leader to the hook using a nonslip mono-loop knot (see Resource 1 for mono-loop knot instructions). Then, attach the fishing line one fathom, or six feet, above the monofilament line using the mono-loop knot. To prepare for baiting the hook, make sure that you have your fishing line coming from your rod and reel and attached to the monofilament leader, and that your monofilament leader is attached to your hook.

• 2

  Bait the hook by putting it through the mouth of the butterfish and out the gill, then bury it within the body of the bait by sticking it through the stomach of the fish. Pull the monofilament line taught against the bait so that the line is coming out of the bait's mouth.

• 3

  Lower your line 40 to 250 feet below the surface of the water, depending on how deep the water is in the area you are fishing. Tuna can be found up to 300 feet beneath the water's surface, so if the water is 100 feet deep, for example, keep your line between 40 and 70 feet. If the water is 500 feet deep, keep your line between 100 and 250 feet. Set the reel to the desired depth, set the reel clicker on and set the level of drag to light.

• 4

  Wait. When a tuna strikes, you will hear a loud zing that comes from your line being rapidly pulled away from the reel. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reel the tuna in, and its important to keep the line taught at all times by constantly reeling in the line. The tuna will set the hook on its own when it bites the butterfish; its mouth will become hooked or it will swallow the hook completely when it tries to eat the bait. At least two people on the boat are needed to help to secure the tuna with gaff poles and haul it onto the boat.