Scientific name
Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788)
Also known as yellowfin or albacore tuna
Morphology
Yellowfin tuna have a massive, torpedo-shaped body capable of swimming at high speeds with great power. Its back is dark metallic blue, with yellow highlights on its flanks. Its belly is silvery. Its dorsal and pelvic fins and the pinnae extending from the caudal fin are bright yellow.
Fishing spots
Yellowfin tuna are found in many areas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Highly migratory, they travel great distances across the oceans. They can be found at depths of over 1,000 m, but are often caught in the first 50 m of water. They are often found under floating wrecks (buoys, pieces of net, pallets, containers, bottles, etc.) or, more commonly, around FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices).
Fishing techniques
A formidable hunter, it can be caught on a free line with a nice live fish (bonito or small tuna) hooked through the belly. It can also be caught on a jig or troll. They'll happily bite on the surface of a popper - fantastic fishing! You'll need sturdy tackle to catch them, as some specimens are massive and weigh over 50 kg.
Reproduction
Yellowfin tuna reach their sexual majority at the age of 2. It then measures 1 meter. They spawn all year round, particularly in tropical waters. Females can spawn daily at night.
Size and weight
- Catch size (legal minimum): none, I recommend 1 m
- Size at sexual maturity: 1 m (2 to 3 years)
- Average height: 1.2 m
- Maximum size: 2.4 m (200 kg - 9 years)
- French record: 77.5 kg (La Réunion, France, 22/03/2007)
- World record: 193.68 kg - 2.23 m (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 18/09/2012)
Good to know
Yellowfin tuna are often found close to the surface. As soon as you find a floating object lined with seaweed below, push around it with a popper!
