Yellowfin Tuna

The yellowfin tuna is highly esteemed both as a sport fish and as table fare.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A YELLOWFIN TUNA

Most large yellowfins have overextended second dorsal and anal fins that may reach more than halfway back to the tail base in some large specimens. In smaller specimens under about 60 lb. (27 kg) and in some very large specimens as well, this may not be an accurate distinguishing factor since the fins do not appear to be as long as the specimens. The pectoral fins in adults reach to the origin of the second dorsal fin, but never beyond the second dorsal fin to the finlets as in the albacore. The bigeye tuna T. obesus and the blackfin tuna T. atlanticus may have pectoral fins similar in length to those of the yellowfin. The yellow fin can be distinguished from the blackfin by the black margins on the finlets. Blackfin tuna, like albacore, have white margins on the finlets. It can be distinguished from the bigeye tuna by the lack of striations on the ventral surface of the liver.This is probably the most colorful of all the tunas. The back is blue-black, fading to silver on the lower flanks and belly. A golden yellow or iridescent blue strip runs from the eye to the tail, though this is not always prominent. All the fins and finlets are golden yellow though in some very large specimens the elongated dorsal and anal fins may be silver edged with yellow. The finlets have black edges. The belly frequently shows as many as 20 vertical rows of whitish spots.

 

WHERE TO CATCH YELLOWFIN TUNA

Occurs worldwide in deep, warm temperate oceanic waters. It is both pelagic and seasonally migratory, but has been known to come fairly close to come to shore. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

BAITFISH PATCHES              COASTAL WATERS

FLOATING FOAM AND DEBRIS        NIGHT FISHING

THE OPEN OCEAN                  BIRDS

DEEP SHORE WATER                 MERGING WATER

REEFS, WRECKS, AND SHOALS

 

HOW TO CATCH YELLOWFIN TUNA

The diet depends largely on local abundance, and includes flying fish, other small fish, squid and crustaceans. Fishing methods include trolling with small fish, squid, or other trolled baits including strip baits and artificial lures as well as chumming with live bait fishing. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

DRIFT FISHING     SALTWATER JIGGING   SALTWATER TROLLING

 

YELLOWFIN TUNA LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

CUT BAIT     SALTWATER LIVE BAIT    SQUID  PLUGS  SPOONS