Also known as
- Skipjack US
- Black Skip US
- Barrilete Negro US
Identification
An Eastern Pacific coastal mackerel-tuna with a compact, thick-shouldered torpedo build engineered for explosive acceleration into bait schools. Males and females reach similar sizes. California to Peru endemic.
- Bluish-black back transitioning to shimmering silver belly
- Variable dark grey to black spots above the pelvic fins
- Concave first dorsal — anterior spines much taller than middle spines
- Deeply forked crescent caudal fin with prominent peduncle keels
- Compact thick-shouldered build smaller than yellowfin or skipjack
Where it holds
- Offshore
Behaviour
An Eastern Pacific coastal and nearshore-offshore schooling pelagic — the Pacific cousin of the Atlantic little tunny. Cooperative pack-feeding herds bait into tight balls; explosive surface bust-ups, bird workups, and dolphin associations mark productive water. Frequently mixes with yellowfin tuna and skipjack schools at coastal upwellings, island fringes, and current convergences. Tropical and subtropical year-round above 23°C (73°F) surface; California to Peru. Peak activity at dawn and dusk.
Diet: Anchovies, Sardines, Small Herring, Small Mackerel, Small Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Spinning
The defining Eastern Pacific light-tackle approach — sight-cast to surface bust-ups under birds and dolphins. Pitch 30-80g slender metal jigs, small stickbaits, or shiny spoons into breaking fish. Fast erratic retrieves matching anchovy and small-herring profiles trigger explosive strikes. Cast to the edge of feeding schools, never the middle. PE2-3 setups with 30-50lb fluoro leader.
Trolling
A high-mileage approach for locating mixed-tuna schools along coastal upwellings, island fringes, and current breaks. Pull a spread of small skirted lures, feathers, cedar plugs, spoons, and shallow-diving plugs at 6-8 knots. 8-15kg gear standard. Watch bird workups and dolphin pods; switch to casting once schools are located.
Live Lining
Productive when schools concentrate but won't commit to lures. Free-line or float a live anchovy, sardine, or small herring on a 3/0-5/0 non-offset circle hook with fluorocarbon leader. Chumming with cut bait or live anchovies holds schools near the boat. 8-10kg gear with long topshot.
Jigging
Effective when fish suspend at 20-50m on coastal structure or follow bait deeper midday. Drop a 40-100g knife jig or speed jig and rip with sharp 1-2m cadence sweeps; many strikes come on the flutter fall. PE2-3 braid with 4m of fluorocarbon topshot.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
A productive Eastern Pacific light-tackle fly target when surface bust-ups push within reach. Cast sparse Clouser Minnows, small Deceivers, and anchovy patterns from a 9-10wt rod with floating or intermediate line. Fast erratic strips trigger committed takes. Drop to 12-15lb fluorocarbon tippet in clear water. Cast to the edge of feeding schools.
