Giant bluefin crash Washington Canyon as early season bite fires up
96-inch fish leads parade of quality tuna on the 100-fathom line as canyon walls come alive.
The Washington Canyon is firing on all cylinders right now, and I mean firing. We're seeing the kind of early season bite that reminds you why this canyon produces before anywhere else — that sweet spot where the Gulf Stream influence meets cooler shelf water, and the big fish stack up like cordwood.
The headline story is bluefin, and they're not the schoolies we usually see in June. We're talking legitimate giants, with fish pushing triple digits showing up on the 100-fathom line. The standout was a 96-incher that came over the rail this week — a fish that would make your season anywhere else, but out here it's just Tuesday when conditions align right.
These fish are eating everything we're throwing at them, but the consistent producers are chunked butterfish and medium mackerel on 8/0 circles. The key is getting your bait down to where the thermocline sets up — usually around 80 to 120 feet depending on the day. I'm running 16-ounce sinkers to punch through the current and keep contact with bottom when these fish are feeding deep.
The bite window has been classic Washington Canyon — first light through about 10 AM, then again from 4 PM until dark. That's when the bait gets active on the walls, and these bluefin move up to feed. Don't waste your time during the midday lull unless you're marking serious bait balls on the finder.
Yellowfin are mixed in with the bluefin action, though they're running smaller — 30 to 60 pounds mostly. They're more aggressive than the bluefin, hitting cedar plugs and spreader bars trolled at 6 to 8 knots along the canyon edges. The south wall has been particularly productive, especially where it drops from 60 to 200 fathoms. That's where the eddies form up and hold bait.
Mahi are starting to show in decent numbers, which tells me the water is warming faster than usual for late June. These aren't the small schoolies either — we're seeing fish in the 15 to 25-pound range under floating debris and weed lines. They're eating ballyhoo on the troll and going crazy for live pilchards when you can find them.
The wahoo bite has been sporadic but explosive when it happens. High-speed trolling with Yo-Zuri Bonitas and Rapala X-Raps in the 30-knot range is producing fish in the 40 to 60-pound class. They're relating to the temperature breaks where 68-degree blue water meets the cooler green stuff — usually on the northwest corner of the canyon.
Bait situation is excellent right now. The butterfish are thick on the bottom, and we're seeing good numbers of squid moving through. The mackerel schools are setting up on the edges, which is drawing everything from bluefin to white marlin. Speaking of which, we had our first white marlin of the season show up yesterday — a nice fish that ate a rigged ballyhoo on the long rigger.
Current has been moderate to strong, which is perfect for this canyon. It's pushing bait against the walls and creating those feeding zones where predators can trap their prey. The northwest flow we've had this week is classic Washington Canyon conditions — it sets up the eddies just right and keeps the water clean.
Looking ahead, I'm expecting this bite to continue strong through the weekend and into next week. The moon phase is working in our favor — we're coming off new moon, so the tides aren't too extreme, but there's enough movement to keep bait active. Water temps are holding steady in that sweet spot where multiple species overlap.
The key to fishing Washington right now is patience and persistence. These fish are here, but they're not always cooperative. Come prepared with a variety of baits and techniques. Have your chunking setup ready for the bluefin, but don't be afraid to switch to trolling when the action slows. This canyon rewards anglers who adapt to what the fish are telling them.
If you're planning a trip out here, bring heavy tackle and plenty of bait. These fish are strong, and the current is unforgiving. But when it all comes together — and it's coming together right now — there's no better place to be than the Washington Canyon.