Bluefin blitz hits Poor Man's as 68-degree water stacks bait on the shelf

The southern canyons are absolutely on fire right now, and I'm telling you — this is the kind of week that makes you remember why we run these long miles offshore. Poor Man's Canyon has been the star of the show, with bluefin tuna crashing the shelf edge in 68-degree water that's been holding steady for three days running.

I made the run to Poor Man's Sunday morning and found the magic at the 30-fathom line where that beautiful temperature break sets up. Water temp jumped from 64 degrees inshore to 68 at the shelf, and that 4-degree gradient is stacking bait like you wouldn't believe. We're talking thick marks of sand eels and squid getting pushed up against that thermal wall, and the bluefin are taking full advantage. Fish are running 75 to 110 inches, with most of the action coming on the troll at 6 knots.

The hot setup has been cedar plugs and small feathers — nothing fancy, just classic canyon trolling. Pink and white cedar plugs on the long riggers, chartreuse feathers on the short corners. Key is staying in that temperature break and watching your fishfinder for the bait clouds. When you see those thick red marks at 40 to 60 feet, that's where you want to be.

Spencer Canyon has been producing consistent yellowfin action, especially on the northeast wall where the current sweeps up from the deep. Water's running 72 degrees on the surface with a sharp thermocline at 80 feet. The yellowfin are holding right in that temperature gradient, and they're hungry. Chunking with butterfish has been deadly — cut the butterfish into 3-inch strips, hook them through the head on a 7/0 circle hook, and let them flutter down on a 6-foot fluorocarbon leader. The bite has been best on the incoming tide when that current really starts moving.

Lindenkohl has been the sleeper this week. Not getting the press that Poor Man's is getting, but the guys who know are finding white marlin and mahi in the 100 to 200-fathom range. Water temperature is perfect at 74 degrees, and there's a beautiful weed line running north-south along the western edge. Live ballyhoo under the kites has been the ticket for the white marlin, while the mahi are crushing anything that moves — ballyhoo, cedar plugs, even small poppers when they're really fired up.

Norfolk Canyon has been the deep-water play for serious yellowfin. You need to run out to the 200-fathom line where the water drops to 70 degrees and the current really rips. It's a longer run from Cape May — we're talking 65 miles — but the payoff is there. Yellowfin to 80 pounds are holding in the deep water, and they're not spooky like the fish on the shelf. Chunking with squid and butterfish has been producing, but you need to get your baits down to 100 feet where the fish are holding.

The moon phase is working in our favor right now. We're coming off the new moon, so the tides aren't extreme, but there's enough current to keep the bait moving and the fish active. The real key has been timing your arrival at the canyons for the start of the incoming tide. That's when the current starts pushing bait up the canyon walls, and that's when the tuna turn on.

Weather has been cooperative with light northwest winds and 1 to 2-foot seas. Visibility has been excellent — you can see the color changes from miles away, which makes finding that temperature break so much easier. The high pressure system sitting over us should keep conditions stable through the weekend.

Looking ahead, I'm watching the water temperatures closely. That 68-degree water at Poor Man's is the sweet spot for bluefin, and if it holds through the week, we should see continued action. The full moon is coming up next week, which means bigger tides and more current — that could really fire up the bite at Spencer and Lindenkohl where current is king.

If you're planning a trip, don't overthink the tackle. Medium-heavy trolling rods, 50-pound test, and a good selection of cedar plugs and feathers will get the job done. For chunking, bring plenty of butterfish and squid, and don't forget the circle hooks. The fish are there, the conditions are right, and the southern canyons are fishing as good as I've seen them in years.