How to Fish for Blackfin Tuna

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Blackfin tuna is one of the smallest of the tuna species, and inhabits the warmer waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. Commonly fished for commercial and recreational fishing, the Blackfin tuna is most often caught by trolling or drift fishing. Tuna avoid the wakes and sounds of boats, so allowing your line to drift well behind the boat is often necessary.

Things You'll Need

  • Boat
  • High-tension rod
  • High-tension fishing line
  • Pilchards
  • Live bait Ballyhoo
  • Feather lures
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify your fishing spot. Blackfin tuna can be caught offshore, but may also find their way inshore along areas where bait fish -- such as mullet, flying fish, and mackerel -- congregate. The best way to identify ideal blackfin fishing grounds is by identifying areas favored by their bait.

    • 2

      Start a drift at your identified fishing spot, dropping chummed pilchards into the water every few seconds.

    • 3

      Beak hook a live Ballyhoo and drop your leader, allowing it to drift behind the boat.

    • 4

      Slow to power drift, and wait for bites.