Bluefin Tuna Fishing Guide

The Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is the largest tuna species and one of the most commercially valuable fish in the world — a single prime specimen can sell for over $1 million at the Tsukiji/Toyosu New Year auction in Tokyo. It is also a physiological marvel: fully warm-blooded (maintaining body temperatures up to 20°F above ambient water), capable of diving to over 3,000 feet, and able to sprint faster than most other fish in the ocean. Bluefin are highly migratory — Atlantic bluefin that spawn in the Gulf of Mexico cross to the Mediterranean Sea to feed before returning. The western Atlantic population, primary focus of US sport and commercial fishing, has partially recovered from historical lows due to strict ICCAT management. The bluefin's combination of table quality, size, and fighting ability makes it the ultimate offshore trophy.

Bluefin Tuna is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Deep, cold to temperate offshore waters of the North Atlantic; major US fishing grounds include the canyons of the mid-Atlantic, New England shelf waters, and North Carolina's Outer Banks. In summer, bluefin frequently move inshore following bait on the New England coast, making them accessible from shore. Pacific bluefin (Thunnus orientalis) are found off California.

Diet

Herring, menhaden, mackerel, squid, and virtually any available schooling forage; bluefin in northern waters target sand lance and herring with particular focus. Extremely powerful, efficient predators that hunt both near the surface and at depth, making them adaptable to whatever forage is most abundant.

Fishing Techniques

Best Seasons

Summer, Fall

Size & Records

Average weight: 200 lbs. World record: 1496 lbs (Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada (1979)).