Yellowfin Tuna fishing
Yellowfin tuna grow fast, up to 400 pounds (180kg) in about a 7-year lifespan, and they range in length from 59 inches to 88 inches long. They’re known for their torpedo shape, with a pointed nose and a sickle-shaped tail, and have dark blue backs with yellow sides (thus their name) with a silver underside.
Yellowfin tuna are mostly caught trolling with artificial lures such as Rapala, Halco, trolling skirts, Skirted Ballyhoo Lures, cedar plugs, etc. On top water poppers, surface jerkbait and crankbait jigs are a must in your tackle box.
Top Yellowfin Tuna Fishing destinations
Yellowfin tuna can be found worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans. Great Yellowfin tuna fishing areas include Baja California, Southern California (Mexico), Panama, Costa Rica, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and notably Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. In the Atlantic Ocean, prime locations are Cape Verde, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Ascension Island, and Saint Helena. In the Indian Ocean, excellent fishing spots can be found in South Africa, the Maldives, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.
How to fish for Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna are mostly caught trolling with artificial lures such as Rapala, Halco, trolling skirts, Skirted Ballyhoo Lures, cedar plugs, etc.
On top water, poppers such as Williamson Popper Pro and Yo-Zuri 3D Popper, surface jerkbait and crankbait jigs are a must in your tackle box.
Good to eat Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna are great eating fish in moderation, due to their known higher levels of mercury. It’s a great low-calorie source of protein and has no carbs, fibre, or sugar. They are high in niacin as well, an essential B vitamin.
Regulations for catching Yellowfin Tuna
NOAA regulations for yellowfin tuna are three per person per day, with the minimum keeping size being 27 inches from tip to tail with the tail fork curved, not straightened out. In the Atlantic, you’re required to have an Atlantic highly migratory species angling permit.
In Australian waters, AFMA decides the amount that can be caught each year and is managed by a quota restricted by weight.
There is no minimum size in California state waters. Regulations vary by location, so make sure to stay up to date with the regulations in your area of fishing if you plan on fishing without a charter.
We are always advocating for a catch and release style of fishing, this keeps it possible for the next generation to enjoy as much as us.
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Best Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Charters
Tanoa Riviera 51
San Sebastián De La Gomera, La Gomera
52,49 ft
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