Blue fin Tuna < back

Like many other tuna, the bluefin has a robust, cigar-shaped body. The color is dark blue over gray. Similar in appearance to the Yellow fin tuna, it can be distinguished by shorter pectoral fin. Also characteristic is the liver, which is striated with blood vessels. Other short-finned tuna either lack this characteristic, or have striations only along the edges of the liver.

Bluefin tuna are seasonal, visiting the California coast earlier in the year than Yellow fin. They are generally present from May to October, depending upon water temperature.

These tuna are generally caught with fly-lined sardines or on the iron. They are very cautious fish, often biting only on light line.

Most Pacific Bluefin will be in 15 to 30 pound class with fish upwards of 100 pounds caught each year.