Chunking is drifting over deep structure (canyons, lumps) while throwing chunks of butterfish or sardine overboard to create a scent trail and bring tuna up the water column. Bait hooks are set at varying depths within the chunk slick. Patience-driven — chunking sessions can run 4-8 hours waiting for fish to find the slick.
SST threshold pages cover tuna conditions relevant to chunking.
Related on Bield Fish
More in Offshore Fishing Tactics
Cluster anchor
How do I find fish offshore?
How do I find offshore structure for fishing?
How do I fish a canyon for tuna?
How do I troll for mahi-mahi?
How important is moon phase for offshore fishing?
What depth do yellowfin tuna swim at?
What is a rip current and do fish use it?
What is a weed line and why do mahi stack on it?
Reading now
What is chunking for tuna and how does it work?
What is the best time of year to fish offshore in the Mid-Atlantic?
Track tides, SST, migrations, spawn, hatches, and stocking for the water you fish. 14-day free trial, no credit card.
Start free trial →