Following Little Tunny Theory

John McKroid

When reeling up False Albacores, There are frequently one or two followers. My theory is that the gravid fish on the line is hemorrhaging eggs as I reel it up to its demise, and the followers are males attempting to fertilize the roe discharge.

lemaymiami

I get to see that with many species of fish... I've always figured they're so competitive (and hungry) that any hooked fish has others trying to steal what yours has... In the same fashion you can occasionally get double hook-ups on the same lure if it's exposed and the hooked fish is struggling and making a commotion... Fish are pretty simple - a hooked fish to them looks like the frenzy when they're in bait, and every one of them it trying to take advantage of the opportunity... That's why keeping a hooked dolphin in the water near your boat (or 'yak...) works so well to keep the school with you and ready for the next bait or lure they see... I'll often have an angler cast a lure (or bait) so that it lands right behind a struggling redfish or speckled trout and we score doubles all the time with that tactic.  Out in blue water you can see so much better so a hooked fish with a follower is just more visible than it would be inshore...

John McKroid

lemaymiami said:

I get to see that with many species of fish... I've always figured they're so competitive (and hungry) that any hooked fish has others trying to steal what yours has... In the same fashion you can occasionally get double hook-ups on the same lure if it's exposed and the hooked fish is struggling and making a commotion... Fish are pretty simple - a hooked fish to them looks like the frenzy when they're in bait, and every one of them it trying to take advantage of the opportunity... That's why keeping a hooked dolphin in the water near your boat (or 'yak...) works so well to keep the school with you and ready for the next bait or lure they see... I'll often have an angler cast a lure (or bait) so that it lands right behind a struggling redfish or speckled trout and we score doubles all the time with that tactic.  Out in blue water you can see so much better so a hooked fish with a follower is just more visible than it would be inshore...

Definitely some truth to that.....