Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

Yellowfin Tuna is a fast, highly migratory oceanic predator found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. It schools in open water, often with dolphins or surface bait, and is a premier pelagic game fish and table fish.

Saltwater

Yellowfin Tuna reference image — Marc Taquet, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Brilliant yellow second dorsal and anal fins and finlets along the back half of the body
Metallic blue-green back with a silver belly and a series of faint vertical lines on the lower sides
Slender torpedo-shaped body with a long pectoral fin that usually reaches beyond the anus in adults

Habitat

Open tropical and subtropical saltwater, from near-surface waters to deep offshore edges, seamounts, current breaks, and around floating debris or bait schools.

Bait notes

Live sardines, anchovies, pilchards, mackerel, squid strips, and bonito chunks work well. Tuna jigs, poppers, stickbaits, and trolling lures are effective when fish are feeding on top or holding under bait.

Behavior

Feeds on sardines, flying fish, squid, and other small pelagics; often hunts near the surface in schools, but also makes deeper, stronger runs when hooked.

Caution

Can contain elevated mercury, especially larger fish; follow local consumption advisories. Handle with care when boatside because of powerful runs and hard, sharp gill plates.

Fishing notes

Target temperature breaks, bird activity, dolphin pods, foam lines, and floating objects offshore. Troll or cast to surface busts, then switch to live bait or jigging; use heavy tackle and smooth drag for long runs.