Fish Facts: Blackfin Tuna

Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) reach a maximum size of 50 pounds. Blackfin have football shaped bodies, black backs with only a slight yellow on the finlets but with yellow on the side. Blackfin are found only in the western Atlantic from Cape Cod to Brazil. Blackfin reach a maximum size of just shy of 50 pounds.

Blackfin Tuna are schooling fish and are considered an important commercial fish species. These tuna ate squid and small bait fish. They provide excellent sport on light tackle but are often taken when fisherman are searching for larger game. The flesh is dark but tasty and is of commercial importance. Blackfin can be identified from other tuna by there large eye and pectoral fin that doesn’t extend to the second dorsal fin.

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Key Notes and Tips:

  • Tuna feed almost exclusively on smaller fish and squid.
  • When trolling for tuna it has been my experience that the larger baits don’t catch as many fish as the smaller 6 or 8 inch baits.
  • Chummed tuna can be quite line and hook shy.
  • Click here to see a picture of some nice blackfin tuna!