Yellow fin tuna < back
The body of the yellowfin tuna tapers at both ends, and the head is conical. The color is dark brownish blue to dark yellow on the back, becoming gray or whitish below.
Yellowfin tuna feed on fishes, squid, crustaceans, and are generally opportunistic feeders.
Yellowfin tuna are fished in the same manner as albacore; jigs are used to locate the schools, and live anchovies or sardines are chummed to keep the fish around the boat. Like all fishing, there is a method to fishing tuna that should be practiced. Tuna are school fish and have a tendancy to follow the trolled fish to the boat. Conversely if this fish is lost, he will make a quick exit from the scene and the other fish will follow. For this reason it is adviseable to get the "jig fish" to the boat as quickly as possible. As soon as the fish is within range, drop a hook with a live bait over the side. If all goes well, you will get bit quickly and there is a good chance that the rest of the school will stick around the boat for awhile. Many experienced private fisherman have learned that the best way to fish tuna is with a 3 or 4 man team. One to man the trolling rod, one for the bait fish rig and the third man to throw a chum line in the hopes of getting the fish up to the boat and into a feeding frenzy. When this works right, the result can be a wide open fishing experience.
For trolling, tackle in the 60 pound class should be adequate, although many party boats have an 80 pound minimum line weight. Reels in 4/0 or 6/0 class are ideal. Many fisherman prefer 2 speed reels in order to get the fish to the boat quickly, but the standard reels should be sufficient for most conditions.