False Albacore

False Albacore, also known as Little Tunny and Fat Alberts, are brutally strong light tackle fish which have broken plenty of tackle, lines, and even perhaps a few hearts along the way. False Albacore are a schooling fish generally found when our waters reach their warmest temperatures of the season.

False Albacore, or "albies" as they're known locally, first appear in Vineyard waters in late summer or early fall, sometimes as early as September 1. September 15 is a better time to find albies consistently in our waters, and these fish commonly stay through mid-October. When lots of albies are around, bonito can be scarce. When fewer schools are here, bonito and false albacore can sometimes be found frequenting the same waters, and it's also not uncommon to find a few bluefish or striped bass following the schools of false albacore hoping for an easy meal.

Albies can be identified by their tuna-like shape, and by the presence of one or more spots on the lower front third of the fish. Albies are frequently seen blitzing bait at the inlets during many late summer and fall days, and the excitement of casting into these breaking schools can be overwhelming! False albacore are notoriously poor fish to eat, and almost all anglers release their catch to swim another day. Albies can fight to the death, so some care is required in landing and releasing these fish successfully.

Shore fishermen who enjoy chasing false albacore haunt the same inlets as those frequented by the bonito, including the entrance to Edgartown Harbor, Vineyard Haven Harbor, and Cape Poge Gut, as well as the inlet to Sengekontacket pond at Big Bridge. The Lake Tashmoo inlet and the Menemsha inlet also provide good opportunities to find false albacore in season. Good spots for boat fishing include West Chop, and the open water areas between Oak Bluffs east to Cape Poge and Wasque Point where warm waters gather in late summer.

Effective techniques for albies include spincasting with the same small metal lures that are used for bonito, such as those made by Swedish Pimple, Deadly Dick, and Yo-Zuri. Fly anglers can be especially effective since albies feed heavily on small baits like herring, sand eels, and silversides. Small white deceivers, sand eels, and epoxy patterns are just the ticket to hooking up with the exciting false albacore.

Our albie fishing is famous, with many anglers returning year after year to catch the fever that burns when false albacore make their annual forays into Vineyard waters. Please stop by the shop, or call us anytime for the most up-to-date information on the movements of the False Albacore!

Larry's Tackle Shop
PO BOX 155
258 Upper Main Street
EDGARTOWN, MA
02539
(508) 627-5088
FAX: (508) 627-5148