Also known as
- Bonehead US
- Bone US
- Boner US
- Striped Tuna US
- Magneto US
Identification
An Eastern Pacific coastal bonito with an elongated streamlined torpedo build engineered for sustained pursuit and explosive bait-school attacks. No swim bladder — a continuous swimmer.
- Five to six oblique dark blue to black stripes running diagonally along upper back and flanks
- Dark blue-grey to almost black back grading to silvery flanks and belly
- Two separate dorsal fins — first with 17-19 spines, followed by 7-8 finlets
- Deeply forked caudal fin with prominent peduncle keels
- Slim, fully scaled body slightly larger than its Atlantic counterpart
Where it holds
- Inshore
- Oceanic
Behaviour
An Eastern Pacific coastal pelagic schooling tuna with split California-Mexico and Peru-Chile populations. Cooperative size-class schools work surface bait under bird workups along coastlines, kelp edges, and current convergences in 0-50m. Aggressive surface bust-ups and FAD/structure association. Tolerates 14-22°C (57-72°F); coastal-oriented but ranges hundreds of km offshore following baitfish. Continuous swimmer with no swim bladder. Peak activity at dawn and dusk.
Diet: Anchovies, Sardines, Small Mackerel, Small Herring, Small Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Trolling
The most consistent locating method along productive coastal kelp edges, current breaks, and inshore islands. Pull a spread of small spoons, feathered jigs, cedar plugs, and shallow-diving plugs at 4-7 knots. Match local anchovy and sardine profiles. 6-10kg gear standard. Watch bird activity and surface foam; switch to casting once schools are located.
Spinning
An exhilarating SoCal/Baja light-tackle fishery — sight-cast to surface bust-ups under birds. Pitch 30-60g iron jigs, slender metals, small stickbaits, or surface poppers into busting fish. Fast erratic retrieves matching anchovy and sardine profiles trigger explosive strikes. Cast ahead of moving schools, never the centre. PE2 setups with 15-20lb fluorocarbon leader.
Live Lining
The classic SoCal party-boat presentation — free-line a live anchovy or sardine on a 1/0-3/0 non-offset circle hook with fluorocarbon leader. Combine with a chum slick of live anchovies to hold schools near the boat. Best when schools are present but won't commit to lures. 6-8kg gear with long topshot.
Jigging
Effective when fish suspend at 20-50m beneath surface activity or hold on coastal structure. Drop a 40-100g iron or knife jig and rip with sharp 1-2m cadence sweeps; many strikes come on the flutter fall. PE2 braid with 4m of fluorocarbon topshot.
Surf Casting
A productive shore-based fishery from SoCal piers, jetties, and rocky points when schools push bait tight to shore. Long-cast 30-60g iron jigs, slender metals, or surface poppers with 9-10ft rods. Watch bird activity and surface foam. Dawn and dusk are most productive.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
A productive SoCal/Baja light-tackle fly target when surface bust-ups push within reach. Cast sparse Clouser Minnows, small Deceivers, surf candies, and anchovy 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.
