Scientific name
Katsuwonus pelamis (Linné, 1758)
Morphology
Skipjack are characterized by an oval, laterally compressed fusiform body, accompanied by a tapered head. Commonly referred to as skipjack or listao hors hexagone, these bonitos sport an extended dorsal fin, supported by 14 to 16 spines, almost fused to the second dorsal fin.
Their backs are a uniform shade of dark purplish blue, while the flanks and belly are a pearly white with 4 to 6 dark longitudinal stripes.
Fishing grounds for skipjack tuna
These fish live in schools offshore, near the surface or in open water. They can be observed in open water or in association with floating objects (a piece of wood, for example). They can be found in France, with astonishing passages over Brittany in autumn 2023, and in all waters of the world above 15 °C, temperate and tropical .
Fishing techniques
Skipjack is frequently targeted by two types of lures: jet whistlers with a skirt and deep-diving bib lures. Trolling is particularly popular on exotic fishing expeditions. In France, it's arriving more and more on our Atlantic coasts, as shown by the fishing carried out in autumn 2023 in Brittany, and even as far away as Normandy! They respond well to small, shiny jigs weighing between 30 and 40 grams. When these bonitos hunt close to the surface, a swimming fish is also very effective, if possible fairly dense and 8 to 9 cm in size.
Schools of skipjack sometimes attract large predators such as jacks, tunas, kingfish and sharks. Skipjack is also used as bait for big fish (in pieces or alive). During the hunt, the skipjack is literally focused on its prey. Use of a lure of similar size and color to the prey is essential to avoid missing out completely.
Reproduction
Skipjack tuna reach sexual maturity at 1.5 years of age. The female is 41-42 cm and the male 42-43 cm. Reproduction takes place all year round, but is most intense from November to March and from June to August.
Size and weight
- Minimum legal catch size: 35 cm (FAO COPEMED project, March 2002)
- Size at sexual maturity: 41 to 43 cm (fork length)
- Average size: 45 to 55 cm
- Maximum size/weight: 1 m (25 kg)
- World record: 99 cm (21 kg, La Gomera, Spain, 11-15-2020)
Good to know
Trolling for skipjack requires perseverance. It's not uncommon for an hour to pass without a single hit, and then suddenly all the rods start bending.
