Albacore fishing

The Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) has large eyes and long pectoral fins. This is why this species is also known as longfin tuna. The largest Albacore can reach up to 140 cm (4.6ft) and weigh up to 40 kg (90lb).

Albacore are mainly caught trolling lures, mainly skirted lures because their primary food source is cephalopods. This pelagic fish appears to be wide-spread and abundant in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. When fishing for albacore you can also catch skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna and bluefin tuna.

Top Albacore Fishing destinations

Albacore can be found in the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean.

In the U.S. & Canada, albacore are generally caught off California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia between June and October. August and September normally are the best time of year for albacore fishing.

The best time for albacore fishing in the Canary Islands is March, April and May. These months they can be found mixed with bluefin tuna and bigeye tuna. Albacore can be caught until October or November in the Canaries.

Spain

Balearic Islands

Mallorca

Mexico

How to fish for Albacore

Albacore can be caught on both natural bait and lures. The tunas are usually located by trolling. Great albacore lures can range from swimmer baits cedar plugs to hard heads and rubber squid.

Once they are located they can sometimes be brought next to the boat by chumming small baitfish. At that point they can be targeted with baits or lures.

Good to eat Albacore

The Albacore is a very good eating fish. The have firm meat, very popular in the finest cuisines. Albacore can be a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Widely used for canned tuna, albacore can also be used for sushi. Other great ways to eat albacore is grilled or Pan-Cooked combined with a citrus-ginger sauce or an oriental sesame sauce for example.