Target Species: Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Other Common Names: Allison tuna, ahi (Hawaii), shibi (Hawaii)
Identification: Black to blue on top changing to silver to silvery gold on flanks and silvery white below. Stomach area sometimes colorless oval patches and broken white vertical bars (especially juveniles). Bright yellow fins, particularly the canary yellow finlets with black margins. Distinctly "M" shaped notch in the center of the caudal fin's fork. Adults also have moderately long pectoral fins a third to a fourth of body fork length.
Biological Info: Found above and below thermoclines usually in the upper 300 feet of the water column. Strong schooling tendency with same species as well as other tunas such as big eyes and skip jack of same size. Larger Allison tuna in the eastern pacific often travel below porpoises, in particular spinner dolphins but don't seem to exhibit this behavior elsewhere. Age of sexual maturity varies but generally occurs at 2-3 years. Females spawn several million eggs per year and known to spawn twice annually in tropical Mexican and Central American waters.
Geographical Range: Worldwide in subtropical and tropical waters from 40ºN to 35ºS. Not found in Mediterranean Sea. Although highly migratory they don't seem to make long east-west or north-south migrations in the Pacific Ocean, suggesting little genetic exchange among eastern, western and central Pacific population and the possible development of subspecies.
Favored Water Temp.: 70º-84º F
Size: Up to 9' and up to more than 800 lbs but 100-200 lbs is much more common. Lifespan up to 7 years.
IGFA Record: 388 lbs 12 oz, Isla San Benicto, Revilagigedo Islands, Mexico 4/1/77.
Sporting characteristics: Pound for pound one of the strongest fighters in the world. Tend to fight deep.
Food & Feeding Habits: Feed on surface as well as deep in the water column. Highly sight oriented predators seldom feeing at night but often before dawn, mid-afternoon and at dusk. Schools work together to heard prey to feed. Flying fish, mackerel, sardines and squid are favorites but eat a wide range of prey including anchovies, pilchards, crabs, shrimp, lobsters, octopus, other tunas, and dolphin.
Fishing methods: Trollling artificial baits as well as kite fishing, chunking and fly lined live bait at anchor.
Top Spots: Assorted islands, Baja California, Mexico, July-February. Bermuda, April-July.
Conservation: Keep only amount desired for personal consumption. Circle hooks properly rigged can reduce injury risk to fish for catch and release.
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