Summer Tuna Fishing in the Pacific

Tuna are renowned for their tremendous size and fighting ability. The Pacific Ocean provides some of the best opportunities for large tuna in the world, especially during the summer.

  1. Equipment

    • Always use a belt when fishing for tuna or risk being pulled overboard. A reel and line rated for between 25 and 50 pounds is a must, and the rod should be rated for ultra-heavy action. Tuna will take live bait or artificial lures.

    Locations

    • Fish offshore, as tuna rarely come within 10 miles of shoreline. Feeding tuna will be near or at the surface of the ocean and are relatively easy to spot. Tuna prefer to feed in low light conditions.

    Fighting Tuna

    • It is extremely dangerous to fight a tuna alone. Allow it to run or you risk breaking the line or even the rod. Stay hydrated; a fight with a tuna can realistically last several hours.

    Landing Tuna

    • Attempting to land a tuna that hasn't not been played out can be harmful to the fish, the fisherman, and even the boat itself. Fish more than 100 pounds should be gaffed (a gaff is a hook on a heavy pole) and landed by multiple people.

    Species

    • The Pacific Ocean holds many species of tuna that vary widely in size and habitat. Some of the more common species include the Albacore, the Bluefin and the Yellowfin.