Also known as
- Belted Bonito US
- Common Bonito US
- Boston Mackerel US
- Striped Bonito US
Identification
An Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal bonito with an elongated streamlined torpedo build engineered for sustained high-speed pursuit. No swim bladder — a continuous swimmer.
- Six to eight oblique dark stripes running diagonally from back toward the lateral line
- Metallic blue to dark green back grading to silvery flanks and belly
- Two separate dorsal fins, the first with 20-23 spines
- Deeply forked caudal fin with prominent peduncle keels
- Body fully scaled, slimmer than Pacific or skipjack tunas
Where it holds
- Inshore
- Offshore
- Estuaries
Behaviour
A coastal pelagic schooling tuna — temperate cousin of the tropical bonitos. Cooperative size-class schools work surface bait under bird workups along shelf edges, rip lines, and current convergences. Aggressive surface bust-ups and cannibalism frequent. Tolerates 12-27°C (54-81°F) and salinities 14-39 — enters brackish estuaries. A continuous swimmer with no swim bladder. Peak activity at dawn and dusk.
Diet: Anchovies, Sardines, Sand Lance, Menhaden, Small Mackerel, Small Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Trolling
The most consistent locating method along productive shoreline rip lines, inlets, and shelf edges. Pull a spread of small skirted lures, cedar plugs, feathered jigs, spoons, and shallow-diving plugs at 4-7 knots. Match small baitfish profiles. 6-10kg gear standard. Watch bird activity and surface foam; switch to casting once schools are located.
Spinning
An exhilarating sight-cast fishery when fall-blitz schools push bait to the surface — Cape Cod, Long Island, Mediterranean rocky points. Pitch 30-60g slender metal jigs, epoxy jigs, small stickbaits, or surface poppers into busting fish. Fast erratic retrieves matching anchovy and sand-lance profiles trigger explosive strikes. PE2 setups with 15-20lb fluorocarbon leader.
Live Lining
Productive when schools concentrate but won't commit to lures. Free-line or float a live menhaden, mackerel, sand lance, or sardine on a 1/0-3/0 non-offset circle hook with fluorocarbon leader. Combine with a chum slick to hold schools near the boat. 6-8kg gear with long topshot.
Jigging
Effective when fish suspend at 20-50m on shelf-edge structure or current seams. Drop a 40-100g knife jig or speed jig and rip with sharp 1-2m cadence sweeps; many strikes come on the flutter fall. PE2 braid with 4m of fluorocarbon topshot.
Chunking
Productive when schools are scattered or below the surface. Drift while dispersing cut menhaden, mackerel, or squid pieces to build a chum slick; fish hooked baits at staggered depths within the slick. Match the chunk size to natural prey. 6-8kg gear with long fluorocarbon trace.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
A productive light-tackle fly target during fall-blitz windows along the US Northeast and Mediterranean coasts. Cast sparse Clouser Minnows, small Deceivers, surf candies, and sand-lance patterns from a 8-10wt rod with floating or intermediate line. Fast erratic strips trigger committed takes. Drop to 12-15lb fluorocarbon tippet in clear water.
