Tripletail

The tripletail is sporadic throughout its range and is not very abundant in any particular location.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A TRIPLETAIL

Tripletail are a deep-bodied perch-like fish with rounded dorsal and anal fins extending almost to the tail. At first glance they appear to have three tails, hence the most commonly used name, tripletail. Their color varies widely, from shades of yellow brown, to dark brown or black with ill defined spots and mottling.

 

WHERE TO CATCH TRIPLETAIL

A cosmopolitan species, tripletail can be found living in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. Their range is widespread throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. This fish is a rare find north of the Chesapeake Bay on the east coast of the United States but do occasionally make their way northward in the Gulf Stream current. Throughout the spring and fall months, these fish can be found along the Gulf Coast states. They are most often found floating on or near the surface, hanging around or near buoys (hence the names buoy fish and buoy bass), pier pilings or floating debris, or drifting along with currents imitating other buoyant objects. They can also be found lurking around bottom structure such as wrecks and rock piles. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

BAITFISH PATCHES                           COASTAL WATERS

FLOATING FOAM AND DEBRIS        REEFS, WRECKS, AND SHOALS

BIRDS                                                DEEP SHORE WATER

PIERS, DOCKS AND PILINGS         THE OPEN OCEAN

 

HOW TO CATCH TRIPLETAIL

All types of tackle can be used to target tripletail but a 30 or 40 lb leader or shock tippet is desirable because once hooked, tripletail will almost invariably lead back to the barnacle covered refuge where found. While live shrimp seem to be the preferred bait of many anglers, tripletails will take dead baits, jigs, plugs or shrimp pattern flies and popping bugs. They may look like a lazy, slow fish floating at the surface, but they can move quickly when they strike, and can exhibit surprisingly powerful lunges and occasional jumps when hooked. They also grow to a substantial size, possibly reaching a weight of 50 lbs and the white, fine textured fillets are excellent eating. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

DRIFT FISHING         BAIT CASTING      SALTWATER TROLLING

FLY FISHING           SPIN CASTING       SALTWATER JIGGING

TRIPLETAIL LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

CLAMS                      CUT BAIT               JIGS

SALTWATER LIVE BAIT         SQUID                CRABS

FLIES                       PLUGS                SHRIMP