Tripletail Tango

Tripletail, once a well kept secret, have more frequently become a target for both inshore and offshore anglers. Back in the 70’s, it was routine to personally catch over 300 tripletail a year. With the increased fishing pressure these days, I have reduced my goal — and am extremely satisfied with one-third that number.

During the past few years state biologists in the Canaveral area have asked me for tripletail carcasses in order to conduct studies on the fish. There is a lack of information on this particular species and hopefully these same studies will provide scientists with important data to help assess the exact status of the tripletail. Let’s begin by getting to know a little more about tripletail and their unique habits. First off, they resemble an overgrown fresh water pan fish known as a calico bass (AKA a crappie).

Their colors are usually dark brown with a grayish silvery tint. The name tripletail is derived from the fishes appearance of having three separate tail fins when in actuality, the center caudal fin is closely accompanied by large anterior and posterior fins, actually looking like three tail fins and also providing the species with amazing propulsion power. Tripletail have a spiny dorsal fin and serrated gill plats, so they must be handled with caution. I would recommend a 30 lb. Boga Grip in the lower lip to avoid incurring any injuries that may result in unnecessary medical expenses.

These fish begin appearing throughout almost all of south Florida around early March and hang around until early October when the water starts to cool down, although it’s not unheard of to catch a few winter residents. Inshore, most tripletail average between 3 and 12 lbs. but larger fish in the 15-20 lb. class are a definite possibility. The all tackle record is 42 lb. 5 oz. which was caught in South Africa but the majority of the line class records are in fact established here in South Florida. Nearby Port Canaveral currently holds 75% of the IGFA line class records (15), with Fort Pierce waters having bragging rights for two. Tripletail regulations in Florida are two fish per angler, per day, with a 15” minimum, using only hook and line gear (no snag hooks permitted).

On my charters, I encourage anglers to release all tripletail under 5 lbs. and over 15. My philosophy is simply to let the little guys grow and allow the larger ones to reproduce which will assure a promising future. Since 1975, I have personally released over 3,000 tripletail to be caught another day. No one enjoys a tasty fresh fish dinner more than I do but it’s important not to abuse the resource. As previously mentioned, tripletail can be found throughout almost all of south Florida. They are extremely popular targets throughout the southwest coast as well as the Keys regions but I have noticed over the past few years that “tripletail mania” has also hit the Treasure Coast and hit it hard. Every angler needs to remember to limit his or her take and don’t take your limit! Fresh fish for dinner far surpasses the quality of fish that’s been in the freezer for a few months. While inshore, tripletails tend to hang around channel markers, buoys, crab traps and bridges, the common factor being structure.

Where there is shade, there are usually tripletails nearby. Overall, the best bite seems to occur between 10:00am and dusk. The shade from pilings, buoys and bridge abutments provides a slightly cooler environment from the surrounding water. The only exception to that rule is shallow areas around docks where the water temperatures rise rapidly. I have in fact caught them under docks but only in deeper water. When searching for tripletail near any type of structure, nothing beats a big fat live shrimp. Tripletail just can’t seem to resist them. A close second to the natural critter would be a D.O.A. root beer color shrimp fished under a cork.

Tripletail will also take a variety of chunked baits such as fresh cut pieces of pilchards or mullet and a small whole squid will also be too hard to turn down. Throughout the Treasure Coast as with most south Florida inshore waters, the many channel markers are by far the most productive areas for tripletail success. Here on the Indian River there are ICW channel markers, manatee zone signs and markers running east and west leading into marinas and developments. It seems as though everywhere you look there’s a pole sticking out of the water. Most ICW markers average 6-10 feet in depth and there are several ways to fish these pilings. Some anglers prefer to anchor up and cast towards them. This is a fine method if there are only one or two anglers onboard and you of course are not interfering with boat traffic.

In this situation I would suggest beefing up your tackle a bit. A minimum of a 15 lb. outfit along with a 20 to 30 lb. fluorocarbon leader is a must. If you intend on remaining anchored while landing the fish, you will need to horse the powerful tripletail and turn him before he quickly breaks you off on the barnacle covered piling. Most tripletail, after hooked, will run out and around the pole. If you think you are going to pick up your anchor in time, trust me when I tell you it would be too little too late. Within 4 seconds of hooking up, Mr. or Mrs. Tripletail will be swimming away with a smile! Option 2 and definitely the most productive method is to quietly drift past the marker. By avoiding the possibility of spooking the fish, you can visually see if any tripletail are hanging around. Secondly, multiple anglers can take shots at spotted fish as most tripletail will be close to the piling.

Quite often tripletail will be seen lying sideways just below the surface in an almost hypnotic state, appearing to be “sitting ducks”. Equally productive locations that should also not be overlooked in your search for this tasty treasure are the multitudes of crab traps and the floats which indicate their locations. Most of the traps that litter the inshore waters in my area are in only 4-7 feet, so keeping your hooked bait off the bottom will help eliminate snagging the trap itself and remember the trap will be sitting on the bottom just up current of the indicating float. Again, with clean water conditions you will usually see the fish lying on its side close to the float. If I don’t see any, I move on to another float. If plagued with dirty water conditions, you could try taking a few casts but I wouldn’t spend more than 5 minutes on any vacant trap.

Tripletail success is not limited to just inshore waters. Larger specimens are often caught by anglers in search of dolphin along weed lines and other floating debris. A close friend and Editor-In-Chief of this magazine, Capt. Mike Genoun recently mentioned to me that his wife who happened to be out on a recent swordfish outing, caught a beautiful 14 pounder which she noticed hanging around some debris that drifted by. Regardless if attempting to fool a tripletail inshore or off, rigging techniques are pretty cut & dry. My line of choice is a high quality 12 lb. mono and I always connect an 18” – 24” long 30 lb. leader with a small barrel swivel. All lures are simply attached with a loop knot.

Buck tails and Mirror Lures seem to work best closer to the inlets where the current is usually the strongest. In back water areas where the current isn’t as strong, a live shrimp, CAL Lures and D.O.A. shrimp imitations will do the trick. About 25% of hooked tripletail will make a jump on their first run. Using 12 lb. tackle, expect a 10 lb. fish to make 3 or 4 strong runs and provide a solid 15-minute fight. For jumbos over 20 lbs, well, hold on! Tripletail have shoulders of steel and lots of digging power with that powerful tail they will absolutely test your light tackle to the limits.

Of course you can beef it up to 50 lb. mono or braided line, but where's the heck is sport in that? In my eyes tripletail are a treasured game fish and the fight is part of the game. If you’re really looking for some for some fun, scale it down to 6 lb. test with a 20 lb. leader. Talk about a blast. A few years ago I landed a 15 lb. tripletail on 6 lb. line which we chased around for an hour and a half before bringing him to the boat. Although he was in my 5’-15’ slot, I chose to release him for the great fight he gave me. Tripletail are strong, hardy fish and when carefully released will revive quickly.

2002 was definitely not a banner year for tripletail. Weather conditions were off, releases from Lake Okeechobee were up and the salinity levels in area waters were down. Anglers on my boat Catch 22, only caught 78. This year though we will easily break the magic 100 mark, releasing most but savoring a few for table fare.

To re-cap, increase your odds by not spending more than 5 or 10 minutes on any one structure. During my half day trips, I may hit 20 or more spots which may include a combination of markers, buoys and crab traps. When approaching a ‘spot’, present your bait in as natural fashion as you can and if there are any around, expect a hit quickly. Due to their great fighting ability, great tasting fillets, and having saved the day on more than one occasion, I think you would agree that tripletail are surely one of south Florida’s tasty treasures.