Target Species: Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
Other Common Names: horse mackerel, giant, aku (Hawaii)
Identification: Back and body deep metallic blue changing to sliver white on lower sides and belly. First dorsal fin is yellow or blue and the second is red or brown and taller than first dorsal fin. Seven to ten finlets follow second dorsal fin. Dorsal fins are separated by small space. Body is deepest near insertion of pelvic fins tapering noticeably to caudal peduncle. Three keels present on the caudal peduncle.
Biological Info: Lifespan up to 15 years. Exhibit strong schooling tendency while young. Tolerate wide temperature range. Atlantic bluefin spawn in Mediterranean Sea June to August and Gulf of Mexico April to June. Pacific bluefin spawn near the Philippines. Sexually mature females (starting at 3-5 years old) produce an average of 10 million eggs per year. Known to make trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic migrations.
Geographical Range: Found throughout Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in temperate and subtropical waters. Western Atlantic Ocean from Labrador, Canada, to northern Brazil as well as Gulf of Mexico. From Norway to the Canary Islands in the eastern Atlantic. Eastern Pacific Ocean from the southern coast of Alaska, USA, to Baja California Mexico and from Japan to the Philippines in the western Pacific.
Favored Water Temp.: 56º-84º F
Size: Up to 15 feet and 1,500 lbs in Atlantic Ocean. Up to 500 lbs in Pacific.
IGFA Record: 1496 lbs (679 kg), Nova Scotia, 1979.
Sporting characteristics: Fast (up to 45 mph). Powerful deep water fighters.
Food & Feeding Habits: Prey on a variety of fish including mullet, herring, mackerel, flying fish, squid, eels and small tuna. Tend to eat mainly at dawn, midday and dusk but not at night because they hunt by sight rather than smell or hearing.
Fishing methods:
Atlantic Ocean: trolling plastic squid on spreader bars and chunking at anchor.
Pacific Ocean: Trolling artificial lures and live bait drifted or at anchor.
Top Spots:
Atlantic Ocean: Prince Edward Island, mid-July through October ( peaking in September). Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout, North Carolina, June-September.
Pacific Ocean: Off the coast of Baja California, Mexico especially the Guadalupe, San Martin, Cedros and San Benitos Islands June-July.
Conservation: Follow local regulations. Keep only amount desired for personal consumption. Circle hooks properly rigged reduce risk to fish for catch and release. Release large females especially close to spawning time.
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