Also known as
- Skipjack US
- Striped Tuna US
- Arctic Bonito US
- Ocean Bonito US
- Aku US
Identification
A worldwide tropical-oceanic schooling tuna with a compact, streamlined torpedo build engineered for continuous high-speed cruising. Males and females reach similar sizes. The most abundant tuna globally.
- Dark blue to purple back grading to silvery lower sides and belly
- Four to six prominent horizontal dark stripes on the lower flanks — the diagnostic mark
- Small patch of scales just behind each pectoral fin
- Two dorsal fins with prominent peduncle keels
- Compact thick-shouldered torpedo build smaller than other tunas
Where it holds
- Offshore
- Oceanic
- Inshore
Behaviour
A worldwide tropical and subtropical pelagic schooling tuna — the most abundant tuna globally. Massive surface-feeding schools, often numbering thousands and frequently mixed with juvenile yellowfin, herd bait into tight balls; explosive bust-ups under bird workups mark productive water. Strong association with FADs, floating debris, seamounts, and current convergences. Tolerates 18-30°C (64-86°F); activity peaks at dawn and dusk.
Diet: Anchovies, Sardines, Small Mackerel, Small Herring, Small Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Spinning
The defining light-tackle approach worldwide — sight-cast to surface bust-ups under bird workups. Pitch 30-80g slender metal jigs, small stickbaits, poppers, or small soft plastics into breaking fish. Fast erratic retrieves matching anchovy and sardine profiles trigger explosive competitive strikes. Cast to the edge of feeding schools, never the middle. PE2-3 setups with 30-50lb fluoro leader.
Trolling
The universal locating method — pull a spread of small skirted lures, feathers, cedar plugs, spoons, and shallow-diving plugs at 6-8 knots through productive water. 8-15kg gear standard. Watch for bird workups, FAD-associated schools, and floating debris. Multiple hookups common when the school is located; switch to casting to extend the action.
Jigging
Effective when fish suspend at 30-100m on FADs, seamounts, or current breaks midday. Drop a 60-150g 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.
Live Lining
Productive when schools concentrate but won't commit to lures. Free-line or float a live pilchard, sardine, anchovy, or threadfin herring on a 1/0-3/0 non-offset circle hook with fluorocarbon leader. Chumming with cut bait or live anchovies holds schools near the boat. 6-10kg gear with long topshot.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
An excellent worldwide light-tackle fly target when surface bust-ups push within reach. Cast sparse Clouser Minnows, small Deceivers, surf candies, and anchovy patterns from a 9-10wt rod with floating or intermediate line. Fast erratic strips trigger committed competitive takes. Drop to 12-15lb fluorocarbon tippet in clear water. Cast to the edge of feeding schools.
