Target Species: Albacore (Thunnus alalunga)
Other Common Names: tomboshibi (Japan), albacore tuna, longfin tuna, albie
Identification: Most easily distinguishable from other tunas by having the longest pectoral fins of all tunas. The first dorsal fin is dark yellow followed by a pale yellow second dorsal fin.
Biological Info: Spend most of their time at the thermocline (area where warmer surface water mixes with cooler deep water. Slower growing than the tropical tunas. Maximum life span of 10 years. Complex blood circulation system maintains higher body temperature than surrounding water. Very fast and capable of long migrations. Spawn in tropics and then return to temperate waters. Females distribute millions of eggs in the open ocean in summer months to be fertilized by one or more males.
Geographical Range: Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Two Pacific populations-one above and one below the equator. Alaska to Mexico in eastern Pacific and off the coast of eastern Asia in western Pacific. Southern Pacific population is from 10º-30º S and 150º E to 120º W. Absent in equatorial Pacific from roughly 165ºW to the American coast and 15º N (south of Hawaii) to the equator. In the Atlantic from Great Britain and eastern Canada down to Southern Africa and southern Brazil.
Favored Water Temp.: 61ºF-80ºF
Size: Maximum of nearly 5 feet long and up to 80 lbs, though seldom more than 40 lbs in Pacific and 65 lbs in the Atlantic.
IGFA Record: 88 lbs, 2 oz., Canary Islands, Spain, 1977. Sporting characteristics: Very fast (bursts up to 50 mph) and great fight on light tackle (4/0 reel loaded w/ 20-30 lb test line). Pound for pound an extremely strong fish.
Food & Feeding Habits: Surface feeders. Squid, anchovies, sardines and small mackerel.
Fishing methods: Locate schools by trolling artificial baits (feather jigs very effective) at 8-12 knots. Then drift or anchor with live bait. Great top water action with lures and flies close to boat.
Top Spots: Southern California and Baja California June-August. Northwest US off the coasts of Oregon and Washington mid-July to late September. Cape May, New Jersey, and off coast of northeastern US underwater canyons from August to mid-October.
Conservation: Follow local regulations. Keep only what you will use for personal consumption.
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