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Photo: Allen Shimada, NOAA NMFS OST, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Thunnus obesus
How to catch Bigeye tuna
Bigeye tuna feed in 60–78°F water and bite best at 64–74°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 4 waters.
150 pts · trophy at 60"Feeds 60–78°FBest 64–74°FIn season nowLedge / hard bottom
About
The deep-swimming tuna of the far edge and the canyons, two hundred pounds, caught at dawn and dusk on the deep Gulf rigs and beyond the Stream. Rare in Florida, and the best sashimi in the ocean.
How to fish it
The rigs and the far canyons at first light; deep-set trolled lures, or chunks and live baits sent down deep at night.
What it eats
trolled lures at dawnchunked bait deep at nightlive baits deep
Live bait for it
Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
Flying fishRigged whole on a trolling rig for tuna and marlin, or a strip on a skirted lure.What to fish it with
the sizes that fish itLeader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
Hook4/0–8/0
Braid50–100 lb
The rule
not confirmed hereFederal HMS permit required; minimum size — confirm at NOAA HMS.
The current rule →Where it is, month by month
PPeakSSpawningAArriving·AroundLLeaving
Mid & North Atlantic