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The importance of observation in tuna fishing
Successful tuna fishing depends to a large extent on the angler's ability to observe and interpret visual clues. Hunting seabirds, the characteristic swirls at the surface, or a sudden effervescence on the horizon are all signs that reveal the presence of active tuna.
During the prospecting phase, I generally cover a distance of three to five miles. I then stop to scan the horizon for any clues. I do this at regular intervals, until I finally locate the fish and prepare to launch.
Classic binoculars: an effective but limited solution at sea
Traditional binoculars, often 7x50 (magnification 7, 50 mm lens), are the most common. They remain reliable and effective for searching for tuna, as long as the sea is clear and the boat doesn't move too much. There is a wide range of models on the market.
It's best to opt for a model with reasonable magnification. Too high a magnification will make it impossible to see anything in the distance, due to the boat's movements. These binoculars are more affordable than stabilized models.
On the other hand, they have several disadvantages:
- Given the boat's movements, it is difficult to locate a group of birds beyond 1 to 2 miles.
- They lead to eye fatigue, as the eye and brain must constantly compensate for movements.
Stabilized binoculars: a decisive asset for tuna fishing
Stabilized binoculars are based on a system that compensates for vibrations and parasitic movements. There are two main types of stabilization:
- Optical stabilization, which relies on a mobile system to correct parasitic movements. However, this process is still very limited for marine use.
- The much more efficient electronic stabilizer, which performs well even in very rough sea conditions.
Two main technologies dominate the market today. Electronically stabilized binoculars generally offer higher magnification than traditional binoculars, but with a smaller field of view, due to their often smaller lens diameter. This does not affect their performance, however, as their stability is remarkable.
They are battery-powered and have long operating times.
Regular users report that one or two refills are usually enough for an entire season. With such a tool, you'll be able to locate long-distance hunts, reducing search time and the miles traveled to find the fish.
Tests carried out this summer showed that with a pair of Kite Optics 12x42 binoculars, it was possible to spot a bird hunt under which a large tuna hunt was taking place, at a distance of 5 miles. Stabilization is such that they can also be used for navigation, albeit at moderate speed.
An improvement would be to integrate a compass into the binoculars, as already exists on some traditional models. Sometimes, it's difficult to take the course of a hunt observed several nautical miles away. In this case, a compass could be used to show the skipper the route to take to get there.
Test them at Rodhouse
Investing in stabilized binoculars comes at a price, with a minimum of 1,000 euros depending on the brand.
Rodhouse has recently started distributing the Kite Optics brand, with its three flagship models used by tuna fishermen along our coasts.
Many anglers don't have the opportunity to appreciate the effectiveness of such a tool, and would like to be able to try them out before investing. At Rodhouse, this is possible: they can provide you (under certain conditions) with a pair of binoculars so that you can make up your own mind.
