| TUNA Destin Fishing Guide |
Pacific Mackerel
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Scomber japonicus
Description: The body of the Pacific mackerel tapers at both ends, is rather elongate, and somewhat
compressed. The head is pointed and the mouth is large. The head is dark blue, the back is dark blue
with about 30 dark wavy lines, and the undersides are silver green. The widely separated first and
second dorsal fins serve to distinguish Pacific mackerel from all of the other tuna-like fishes that inhabit
our waters, except for the frigate and bullet mackerel. Pacific mackerel and bullet mackerel can be
differentiated by counting the dorsal finlets. Pacific mackerel typically have four to six, while bullet and
frigate mackerel have seven to eight finlets.
Range: Worldwide in temperate seas; in the eastern Pacific from Chile to the Gulf of Alaska.
Natural History: Larval, juvenile or small fishes appear to be the most important natural food of Pacific
mackerel, but there are times when they rely heavily on small crustaceans. They feed upon squid to a
lesser extent, and eat whatever other bite-sized organisms they may encounter. Off southern
California, spawning normally reaches a peak during the early spring months, especially March, April
and May. Pacific mackerel eggs are about 0.045 inch in diameter and float free in the upper layers of
the ocean, usually within 300 feet of the surface. At average water temperatures they will hatch 4 or 5
days after being spawned.
Fishing Information: Pacific mackerel have long been cast in the role of an intruder or nuisance fish by
most anglers, especially those seeking larger sportfish like yellowtail or barracuda. Nevertheless, they
have been the most frequently caught species on hook and line in California waters in recent years.
Known as a voracious, indiscriminant feeder, Pacific mackerel will devour a live anchovy, engulf dead
cut bait, strike readily on lures and often on flies. When in a feeding frenzy it has even been known to
hit a piece of rag soaked in fish gurg. While it is relatively small in size (3 pounds or 18 inches would be
trophy size), it scores high for power (ounce for ounce) and beauty. Pacific mackerel put up an
excellent fight against light tackle.
Other Common Names: American mackerel, blue mackerel, greenback jack, chub mackerel.
Largest Recorded: 25 inches; 6.3 pounds.
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Skipjack
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Euthynnus pelamis
Description: The body of the skipjack is cigar-shaped (tapers at both ends). The snout is sharply
pointed and the mouth is relatively large. The color is dark blue to purple on the back become silvery or
white below, with four to six dark horizontal stripes on the belly.
Range: Skipjack occur worldwide in warm seas. They are found in the eastern Pacific from Peru to
Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Skipjack usually visit California waters in the fall when water is
relatively warm (about 68° F) and the currents are from either the south or southwest.
Natural History: The diet of the skipjack tuna includes fishes such as anchovies and sardines as well
as squid; however, shrimp eggs and similar organisms are a major component of the diet. Skipjack
tuna do not spawn in waters off California, but further south in the eastern Pacific spawning takes
place during the summer months. A skipjack tuna that is 18.5 inches long and weighs 5.5 pounds lays
an estimated 113,000 eggs, while one that is 22.1 inches long and weighs 13.1 pounds produces
600,000 eggs. The young fish grow rapidly and when 1 year old are 18 inches long. They rarely live
beyond 7 years.
Fishing Information: Most skipjack are taken incidentally to other fishing activities, especially albacore
or tuna fishing. They bite a feather eagerly and will readily come to the boat when live anchovies are
used as chum. Most anglers do not actively seek skipjack because of their small size and the
undesirability of the meat when fresh. However, skipjack is good if processed and most is consumed
after it is canned. Most fish taken off California weigh 2 to 12 pounds, with the vast majority in the 4 to
6 pound range.
Other Common Names: skippies, oceanic bonito, striped tuna, arctic bonito, watermelon, victor fish.
Largest Recorded: No length recorded; 26 pounds (California).
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Pacific Bonito
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerel and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Sarda chiliensis
Description: The body of the Pacific bonito is cigar-shaped and somewhat compressed. The head is
pointed and conical, and the mouth is large. The color is dark blue above, dusky on the sides
becoming silvery below. There is a number of slanted darkish stripes along the back. Pacific bonito are
the only tuna-like fishes on the California coast that have the slanted dark stripes on their backs.
Range: Pacific bonito occur discontinuously from Chile to the Gulf of Alaska, with the greatest area of
abundance in the northern hemisphere occurring in warm waters between Magdalena Bay, Baja
California, and Point Conception, California.
Natural History: The preferred food of bonito appears to be small fishes, such as anchovies and
sardines. Occasionally, they rely heavily upon squid in their daily diet. Bonito may not spawn
successfully every year in California, but successful spawning does take place further south each year.
The bulk of southern California spawning appears to take place from late January through May. The
free floating eggs require about 3 days to hatch at average spring water temperatures. Young fish
resulting from local successful spawnings are usually first observed by the various live bait haulers
when they are 6 to 10 inches long in the early summer months. These fish will often weigh 3 pounds or
more by the fall of the year and by May of the following year many will weigh 6 or 7 pounds.
Fishing Information: Pacific bonito are excellent fighters and have hearty appetites. Once a school is
aroused they will take almost any bait or lure that is tossed their way. Most Pacific bonito are taken by
a combination of trolling and live bait fishing. The schools are located by trolling feathers, and live
anchovies or squid pieces are used to bait the fish once located. Fishing for bonito generally takes
place offshore in 300 to 600 feet of water, but may occur next to kelp beds when the fish are near
shore. Pacific bonito may arrive off of California as the ocean warms in the spring, but may never show
up if oceanic conditions dictate colder than normal water temperatures. Bonito anglers generally catch
1 to 4 year old fish, weighing between 3 and 12 pounds. Pacific bonito fishing tapers off in the fall as
the water cools, but persistent anglers still find good bonito fishing around warm water outfalls
associated with power plants.
Other Common Names: bonehead, Laguna tuna, magneto, striped tuna, California bonito, ocean bonito.
Largest Recorded: 40 inches; 25 pounds.
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Albacore
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Thunnus alalunga
Description: The body of the albacore tapers at both ends (cigar-shaped). The head is long and the
mouth fairly large. The color is dark gray to metallic blue on the back becoming white to gray below.
Albacore are easily distinguished from the other tunas occurring off California, with exception of the
bigeye, by the extreme length of their pectoral fins (they extend well past the anal fin). Albacore and
bigeye can best be distinguished by the characteristics of their livers. The albacore has a heavily
striated (covered with blood vessels) liver while the liver of the bigeye is only lightly striated along the
edges.
Range: Albacore occur worldwide in temperate seas; in the eastern Pacific they range from south of
Guadalupe Island, Baja California, to southeast Alaska.
Natural History: The food of the albacore varies, depending upon where they are feeding in the water
column and what items are available at the time and place the albacore are feeding. A majority of the
food consists of small fishes, but at times squid, octopus, shrimp-like and crab-like organisms are
extremely important. There are indications that albacore spawning takes place in the mid-Pacific,
probably north and west of the Hawaiian Islands. Large specimens caught in that area during late
summer on long line gear have had nearly ripe eggs in their ovaries. The albacore is one of the world's
fastest migrant fish. Annual trans-Pacific migrations have been documented by tagging. Fish tagged off
California were captured off Japan, nearly 5,000 miles away, 294 days later. Traveling "as the crow
flies", this is equivalent to more than 17 miles a day.
Fishing Information: Albacore are the most sought after of the tunas by California anglers. Most fishing
for albacore takes place 20-100 miles offshore in central and southern California. They are rarely taken
near shore. Albacore have a preference for deep blue oceanic water and mild temperatures. Studies
indicate that 57 of every 100 albacore caught are hooked in water ranging in temperature between 60°
and 64° F. Albacore travel in loosely knit schools which are located by trolling or observing surface
signs (feeding birds, etc.). Once located, they are fished with hook and line using live anchovies for
bait. They may also be caught on a trolled feathered jig.
Other Common Names: longfin, albie, pigfish, Pacific albacore, German.
Largest Recorded: 5 feet; 79 pounds (California).
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Bigeye Tuna
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Thunnus obesus
Description: The body of the bigeye tuna is cigar-shaped (tapered at both ends). The head is pointed
and the eye is relatively large. The color is dark metallic brownish blue to dark yellow on the back
becoming gray or whitish below. There often is a bluish stripe on the side. In most individuals, the
length of the pectoral fins should enable one to identify the species properly. Both bigeye and yellowfin
tuna look similar, but bigeye tuna have pectoral fins which extend well past their anal fin, while
yellowfin tuna have much shorter pectoral fins. Tuna which cannot be distinguished by external
characteristics can be positively identified by liver characteristics. Bigeye tuna livers are striated
(covered with blood vessels) along the trailing edges, while yellowfin tuna livers are smooth. Small
bigeye tuna also may be distinguished from albacore by the characteristics of the liver. The liver is
heavily striated in the albacore while the bigeye tuna liver is only striated along the trailing edges.
Range: Bigeye tuna occur worldwide in warmer seas. In the eastern Pacific these tuna range from Peru
to Iron Springs, Washington. They are occasional visitors to California, entering our fishing grounds in
June and remaining until November. These fish prefer temperate water in excess of 70° F, but
significant catches have occurred in water as cool as 65° F.
Natural History: The diet of bigeye tuna includes fishes, squid, and crustaceans. Like most other tunas,
they feed on what is most abundant in the area. Bigeye tuna do not spawn in waters off California, but
spawn further south in the Pacific. Bigeye tuna are approximately 3 years old at first spawning. In the
equatorial regions of the Pacific, the peak spawning is between April and September. A bigeye tuna
weighing 159 pounds will produce an estimated 3.3 million eggs per year. The young are fast growing
and weigh about 45 pounds when they first mature. They live 7 or 8 years.
Fishing Information: Bigeye tuna generally are not accessible to recreational anglers because they
travel far below the surface during the day. Only rarely are they seen on the surface, and then, only
momentarily while feeding. This makes the fish hard to locate since they leave no telltale surface signs
nor can they be easily located by trolling. Most bigeye tuna are taken incidental to albacore or marlin
fishing. The best way to fish for them is to troll marlin lures in an area where the fish are known to
occur. Most bigeye tuna taken in southern California weigh 50 to 100 pounds, with an occasional 150
to 200 pounder landed.
Other Common Names: gorilla, tuna, patudo.
Largest Recorded: 80 inches; 435 pounds; 215 pounds (California).
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Bluefin Tuna
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerel and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Thunnus thynnus
Description: The body of the bluefin tuna is cigar-shaped and robust. The head is conical and the
mouth rather large. The color is dark blue above and gray below. Bluefin tuna can easily be
distinguished from other members of the tuna family by the relatively short length of their pectoral fins.
Their livers have a unique and definitive characteristic in that they are covered with blood vessels
(striated). In other tunas with short pectoral fins, such vessels are either not present or present in small
numbers along the edges.
Range: Worldwide in all but the coldest seas. Bluefin tuna range throughout the eastern North Pacific
Ocean with fish being taken from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, to Shelikof Strait, Alaska. Most
bluefin tuna landed by California anglers are 1 or 2 year olds and weigh between 15 and 30 pounds.
Natural History: Examination of a number of stomachs indicates that while in California waters
anchovies make up the bulk of the diet. Sanddabs, surfperches, and white croakers are also consumed.
Fishing Information: Bluefin tuna are seasonal visitors to California waters. They usually appear in May
and depart by October. Since they are temperate tunas, their availability to anglers depends on water
temperatures in the 62° to 68° F degree range. They can be located by either trolling feathers or
anchoring at a spot known to be frequented by bluefin tuna, and chumming with live anchovies. Once
the fish are attracted, anglers must use light line (12# test or less), small hooks (#4's or smaller), and
the "hottest" bait available that season (usually live anchovies or pieces of squid).
Other Common Names: leaping tuna, tuna, footballs, tunny, shortfin tuna, ahi, great albacore.
Largest Recorded: No length recorded; 363.5 pounds (California). Weight to 495 pounds in the Pacific
Ocean, and 1,500 pounds in the Atlantic Ocean.
vHabitat: Pelagic Environment
Yellowfin Tuna
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerel and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Thunnus albacares
Description: The body of the yellowfin tuna tapers at both ends (cigar-shaped), and the head is
conical. The color is dark brownish blue to dark yellow on the back becoming gray or whitish below.
Identifying tunas can be difficult, especially when yellowfin and bigeye tuna are involved. In most
cases, the length of the pectoral fins can distinguish each species. The yellowfin has pectoral fins
which do not extend past the anal fin; while in bigeye, the pectoral fins extend well past the anal fin.
Tuna which cannot be distinguished by external characteristics can be positively identified by liver
characteristics. The surface of a yellowfin's liver is smooth while the liver of the bigeye is striated,
containing many with small blood vessels along the trailing edge.
Range: Widely distributed in the Pacific Ocean. In the eastern Pacific, yellowfin tuna occur from Chile
to Point Buchon, California. They occasionally enter California waters when ocean temperatures are
warm. They usually are not taken in waters less than 70° F with best catches occurring in waters
above 74° F.
Natural History: The diet of the yellowfin tuna includes juvenile fishes, crustaceans, and squid. They
are opportunistic feeders taking whatever is most available in the area. Yellowfin tuna do not spawn off
the coast of California; however, they do spawn further south in the eastern Pacific. Some spawning
takes place during every month of the year, but off Central America it peaks during January and
February. Young fish grow very rapidly and by the time they are 1.5 years old they weigh around 7.5
pounds. At 4 years old they weigh approximately 150 pounds. The largest yellowfin tuna taken are 10
or more years old. These larger fish sometimes have an elongated second dorsal fin.
Fishing Information: Yellowfin tuna are fished in much the same manner as albacore; jigs are used to
locate the schools, and live anchovies are chummed to keep the fish around the boat. Most yellowfin
tuna taken in California weigh 30 to 50 pounds, fish over 200 pounds are occasionally landed. The
smaller fish are 1 to 2 years old while the larger ones may be over 10 years of age.
Other Common Names: Allison tuna, ahi, Pacific yellowfin.
Largest Recorded: No length recorded; 239 pounds (California); weight to 450 pounds.
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/mspcont1.asp#albacore
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Scomber japonicus
Description: The body of the Pacific mackerel tapers at both ends, is rather elongate, and somewhat
compressed. The head is pointed and the mouth is large. The head is dark blue, the back is dark blue
with about 30 dark wavy lines, and the undersides are silver green. The widely separated first and
second dorsal fins serve to distinguish Pacific mackerel from all of the other tuna-like fishes that inhabit
our waters, except for the frigate and bullet mackerel. Pacific mackerel and bullet mackerel can be
differentiated by counting the dorsal finlets. Pacific mackerel typically have four to six, while bullet and
frigate mackerel have seven to eight finlets.
Range: Worldwide in temperate seas; in the eastern Pacific from Chile to the Gulf of Alaska.
Natural History: Larval, juvenile or small fishes appear to be the most important natural food of Pacific
mackerel, but there are times when they rely heavily on small crustaceans. They feed upon squid to a
lesser extent, and eat whatever other bite-sized organisms they may encounter. Off southern
California, spawning normally reaches a peak during the early spring months, especially March, April
and May. Pacific mackerel eggs are about 0.045 inch in diameter and float free in the upper layers of
the ocean, usually within 300 feet of the surface. At average water temperatures they will hatch 4 or 5
days after being spawned.
Fishing Information: Pacific mackerel have long been cast in the role of an intruder or nuisance fish by
most anglers, especially those seeking larger sportfish like yellowtail or barracuda. Nevertheless, they
have been the most frequently caught species on hook and line in California waters in recent years.
Known as a voracious, indiscriminant feeder, Pacific mackerel will devour a live anchovy, engulf dead
cut bait, strike readily on lures and often on flies. When in a feeding frenzy it has even been known to
hit a piece of rag soaked in fish gurg. While it is relatively small in size (3 pounds or 18 inches would be
trophy size), it scores high for power (ounce for ounce) and beauty. Pacific mackerel put up an
excellent fight against light tackle.
Other Common Names: American mackerel, blue mackerel, greenback jack, chub mackerel.
Largest Recorded: 25 inches; 6.3 pounds.
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Skipjack
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Euthynnus pelamis
Description: The body of the skipjack is cigar-shaped (tapers at both ends). The snout is sharply
pointed and the mouth is relatively large. The color is dark blue to purple on the back become silvery or
white below, with four to six dark horizontal stripes on the belly.
Range: Skipjack occur worldwide in warm seas. They are found in the eastern Pacific from Peru to
Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Skipjack usually visit California waters in the fall when water is
relatively warm (about 68° F) and the currents are from either the south or southwest.
Natural History: The diet of the skipjack tuna includes fishes such as anchovies and sardines as well
as squid; however, shrimp eggs and similar organisms are a major component of the diet. Skipjack
tuna do not spawn in waters off California, but further south in the eastern Pacific spawning takes
place during the summer months. A skipjack tuna that is 18.5 inches long and weighs 5.5 pounds lays
an estimated 113,000 eggs, while one that is 22.1 inches long and weighs 13.1 pounds produces
600,000 eggs. The young fish grow rapidly and when 1 year old are 18 inches long. They rarely live
beyond 7 years.
Fishing Information: Most skipjack are taken incidentally to other fishing activities, especially albacore
or tuna fishing. They bite a feather eagerly and will readily come to the boat when live anchovies are
used as chum. Most anglers do not actively seek skipjack because of their small size and the
undesirability of the meat when fresh. However, skipjack is good if processed and most is consumed
after it is canned. Most fish taken off California weigh 2 to 12 pounds, with the vast majority in the 4 to
6 pound range.
Other Common Names: skippies, oceanic bonito, striped tuna, arctic bonito, watermelon, victor fish.
Largest Recorded: No length recorded; 26 pounds (California).
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Pacific Bonito
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerel and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Sarda chiliensis
Description: The body of the Pacific bonito is cigar-shaped and somewhat compressed. The head is
pointed and conical, and the mouth is large. The color is dark blue above, dusky on the sides
becoming silvery below. There is a number of slanted darkish stripes along the back. Pacific bonito are
the only tuna-like fishes on the California coast that have the slanted dark stripes on their backs.
Range: Pacific bonito occur discontinuously from Chile to the Gulf of Alaska, with the greatest area of
abundance in the northern hemisphere occurring in warm waters between Magdalena Bay, Baja
California, and Point Conception, California.
Natural History: The preferred food of bonito appears to be small fishes, such as anchovies and
sardines. Occasionally, they rely heavily upon squid in their daily diet. Bonito may not spawn
successfully every year in California, but successful spawning does take place further south each year.
The bulk of southern California spawning appears to take place from late January through May. The
free floating eggs require about 3 days to hatch at average spring water temperatures. Young fish
resulting from local successful spawnings are usually first observed by the various live bait haulers
when they are 6 to 10 inches long in the early summer months. These fish will often weigh 3 pounds or
more by the fall of the year and by May of the following year many will weigh 6 or 7 pounds.
Fishing Information: Pacific bonito are excellent fighters and have hearty appetites. Once a school is
aroused they will take almost any bait or lure that is tossed their way. Most Pacific bonito are taken by
a combination of trolling and live bait fishing. The schools are located by trolling feathers, and live
anchovies or squid pieces are used to bait the fish once located. Fishing for bonito generally takes
place offshore in 300 to 600 feet of water, but may occur next to kelp beds when the fish are near
shore. Pacific bonito may arrive off of California as the ocean warms in the spring, but may never show
up if oceanic conditions dictate colder than normal water temperatures. Bonito anglers generally catch
1 to 4 year old fish, weighing between 3 and 12 pounds. Pacific bonito fishing tapers off in the fall as
the water cools, but persistent anglers still find good bonito fishing around warm water outfalls
associated with power plants.
Other Common Names: bonehead, Laguna tuna, magneto, striped tuna, California bonito, ocean bonito.
Largest Recorded: 40 inches; 25 pounds.
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Albacore
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Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Thunnus alalunga
Description: The body of the albacore tapers at both ends (cigar-shaped). The head is long and the
mouth fairly large. The color is dark gray to metallic blue on the back becoming white to gray below.
Albacore are easily distinguished from the other tunas occurring off California, with exception of the
bigeye, by the extreme length of their pectoral fins (they extend well past the anal fin). Albacore and
bigeye can best be distinguished by the characteristics of their livers. The albacore has a heavily
striated (covered with blood vessels) liver while the liver of the bigeye is only lightly striated along the
edges.
Range: Albacore occur worldwide in temperate seas; in the eastern Pacific they range from south of
Guadalupe Island, Baja California, to southeast Alaska.
Natural History: The food of the albacore varies, depending upon where they are feeding in the water
column and what items are available at the time and place the albacore are feeding. A majority of the
food consists of small fishes, but at times squid, octopus, shrimp-like and crab-like organisms are
extremely important. There are indications that albacore spawning takes place in the mid-Pacific,
probably north and west of the Hawaiian Islands. Large specimens caught in that area during late
summer on long line gear have had nearly ripe eggs in their ovaries. The albacore is one of the world's
fastest migrant fish. Annual trans-Pacific migrations have been documented by tagging. Fish tagged off
California were captured off Japan, nearly 5,000 miles away, 294 days later. Traveling "as the crow
flies", this is equivalent to more than 17 miles a day.
Fishing Information: Albacore are the most sought after of the tunas by California anglers. Most fishing
for albacore takes place 20-100 miles offshore in central and southern California. They are rarely taken
near shore. Albacore have a preference for deep blue oceanic water and mild temperatures. Studies
indicate that 57 of every 100 albacore caught are hooked in water ranging in temperature between 60°
and 64° F. Albacore travel in loosely knit schools which are located by trolling or observing surface
signs (feeding birds, etc.). Once located, they are fished with hook and line using live anchovies for
bait. They may also be caught on a trolled feathered jig.
Other Common Names: longfin, albie, pigfish, Pacific albacore, German.
Largest Recorded: 5 feet; 79 pounds (California).
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Bigeye Tuna
(click me)
Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Thunnus obesus
Description: The body of the bigeye tuna is cigar-shaped (tapered at both ends). The head is pointed
and the eye is relatively large. The color is dark metallic brownish blue to dark yellow on the back
becoming gray or whitish below. There often is a bluish stripe on the side. In most individuals, the
length of the pectoral fins should enable one to identify the species properly. Both bigeye and yellowfin
tuna look similar, but bigeye tuna have pectoral fins which extend well past their anal fin, while
yellowfin tuna have much shorter pectoral fins. Tuna which cannot be distinguished by external
characteristics can be positively identified by liver characteristics. Bigeye tuna livers are striated
(covered with blood vessels) along the trailing edges, while yellowfin tuna livers are smooth. Small
bigeye tuna also may be distinguished from albacore by the characteristics of the liver. The liver is
heavily striated in the albacore while the bigeye tuna liver is only striated along the trailing edges.
Range: Bigeye tuna occur worldwide in warmer seas. In the eastern Pacific these tuna range from Peru
to Iron Springs, Washington. They are occasional visitors to California, entering our fishing grounds in
June and remaining until November. These fish prefer temperate water in excess of 70° F, but
significant catches have occurred in water as cool as 65° F.
Natural History: The diet of bigeye tuna includes fishes, squid, and crustaceans. Like most other tunas,
they feed on what is most abundant in the area. Bigeye tuna do not spawn in waters off California, but
spawn further south in the Pacific. Bigeye tuna are approximately 3 years old at first spawning. In the
equatorial regions of the Pacific, the peak spawning is between April and September. A bigeye tuna
weighing 159 pounds will produce an estimated 3.3 million eggs per year. The young are fast growing
and weigh about 45 pounds when they first mature. They live 7 or 8 years.
Fishing Information: Bigeye tuna generally are not accessible to recreational anglers because they
travel far below the surface during the day. Only rarely are they seen on the surface, and then, only
momentarily while feeding. This makes the fish hard to locate since they leave no telltale surface signs
nor can they be easily located by trolling. Most bigeye tuna are taken incidental to albacore or marlin
fishing. The best way to fish for them is to troll marlin lures in an area where the fish are known to
occur. Most bigeye tuna taken in southern California weigh 50 to 100 pounds, with an occasional 150
to 200 pounder landed.
Other Common Names: gorilla, tuna, patudo.
Largest Recorded: 80 inches; 435 pounds; 215 pounds (California).
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
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Bluefin Tuna
(click me)
Family: Scombridae (Mackerel and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Thunnus thynnus
Description: The body of the bluefin tuna is cigar-shaped and robust. The head is conical and the
mouth rather large. The color is dark blue above and gray below. Bluefin tuna can easily be
distinguished from other members of the tuna family by the relatively short length of their pectoral fins.
Their livers have a unique and definitive characteristic in that they are covered with blood vessels
(striated). In other tunas with short pectoral fins, such vessels are either not present or present in small
numbers along the edges.
Range: Worldwide in all but the coldest seas. Bluefin tuna range throughout the eastern North Pacific
Ocean with fish being taken from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, to Shelikof Strait, Alaska. Most
bluefin tuna landed by California anglers are 1 or 2 year olds and weigh between 15 and 30 pounds.
Natural History: Examination of a number of stomachs indicates that while in California waters
anchovies make up the bulk of the diet. Sanddabs, surfperches, and white croakers are also consumed.
Fishing Information: Bluefin tuna are seasonal visitors to California waters. They usually appear in May
and depart by October. Since they are temperate tunas, their availability to anglers depends on water
temperatures in the 62° to 68° F degree range. They can be located by either trolling feathers or
anchoring at a spot known to be frequented by bluefin tuna, and chumming with live anchovies. Once
the fish are attracted, anglers must use light line (12# test or less), small hooks (#4's or smaller), and
the "hottest" bait available that season (usually live anchovies or pieces of squid).
Other Common Names: leaping tuna, tuna, footballs, tunny, shortfin tuna, ahi, great albacore.
Largest Recorded: No length recorded; 363.5 pounds (California). Weight to 495 pounds in the Pacific
Ocean, and 1,500 pounds in the Atlantic Ocean.
vHabitat: Pelagic Environment
Yellowfin Tuna
(click me)
Family: Scombridae (Mackerel and Tunas)
Genus and Species: Thunnus albacares
Description: The body of the yellowfin tuna tapers at both ends (cigar-shaped), and the head is
conical. The color is dark brownish blue to dark yellow on the back becoming gray or whitish below.
Identifying tunas can be difficult, especially when yellowfin and bigeye tuna are involved. In most
cases, the length of the pectoral fins can distinguish each species. The yellowfin has pectoral fins
which do not extend past the anal fin; while in bigeye, the pectoral fins extend well past the anal fin.
Tuna which cannot be distinguished by external characteristics can be positively identified by liver
characteristics. The surface of a yellowfin's liver is smooth while the liver of the bigeye is striated,
containing many with small blood vessels along the trailing edge.
Range: Widely distributed in the Pacific Ocean. In the eastern Pacific, yellowfin tuna occur from Chile
to Point Buchon, California. They occasionally enter California waters when ocean temperatures are
warm. They usually are not taken in waters less than 70° F with best catches occurring in waters
above 74° F.
Natural History: The diet of the yellowfin tuna includes juvenile fishes, crustaceans, and squid. They
are opportunistic feeders taking whatever is most available in the area. Yellowfin tuna do not spawn off
the coast of California; however, they do spawn further south in the eastern Pacific. Some spawning
takes place during every month of the year, but off Central America it peaks during January and
February. Young fish grow very rapidly and by the time they are 1.5 years old they weigh around 7.5
pounds. At 4 years old they weigh approximately 150 pounds. The largest yellowfin tuna taken are 10
or more years old. These larger fish sometimes have an elongated second dorsal fin.
Fishing Information: Yellowfin tuna are fished in much the same manner as albacore; jigs are used to
locate the schools, and live anchovies are chummed to keep the fish around the boat. Most yellowfin
tuna taken in California weigh 30 to 50 pounds, fish over 200 pounds are occasionally landed. The
smaller fish are 1 to 2 years old while the larger ones may be over 10 years of age.
Other Common Names: Allison tuna, ahi, Pacific yellowfin.
Largest Recorded: No length recorded; 239 pounds (California); weight to 450 pounds.
Habitat: Pelagic Environment
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/mspcont1.asp#albacore
