Yellowfin Tuna Fishing
DESCRIPTION Distinguishing the Yellowfin Tuna from the Blackfin or Bigeye is sometimes difficult as many visual features are similar. Finlets of the Yellowfin are yellow, trimmed in black. Gold stripe along side. Light underside usually shows spots and/or wavy lines. Second dorsal and anal fins of very large individuals are elongated and lunate-a feature not found on any other Tuna.
SIZE May run anywhere from a few pounds to more than 200 pounds. Maximum close to 400. World record 388 pounds, 12 ounces; Florida record 240 pounds.
FOOD VALUE One of the best.
GAME QUALITIES Second only to Bluefin Tuna, and only because of smaller size.
OTHER NAMES Allison Tuna or Ahi
RANGE All Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT The open sea, but frequently near dropoffs.
Bluefin Tuna Fishing
DESCRIPTION The best indetifier is huge size, since small bluefins have always been almost non-existent in Florida and the tropics. The massive body is dark blue above, shading to silvery on the lower sides. All fins and finlets are steely blue.
SIZE In the past, runs in the Bahamas (and, unpredictably, in Florida waters) consisted of fish weighing from about 200 to 600 pounds. Presently, most run over 500 pounds and many push 900. The increase in average size is indicative of the declining stock. Giant Bluefins are in trouble worldwide. World record 1,496 pounds.
FOOD VALUE Too good for its own good. The Giant Bluefin is one of the most desired species in Japan, and in sushi bars worldwide. Also excellent when cut into steaks and broiled.
GAME QUALITIES This is the toughest of all big-game gish to fight and land; has size, speed and stamina in boundless quantity. In classic Tuna fishing, the searching, chasing and baiting of the Tuna schools was as exciting as the fight, if not as punishing.
OTHER NAMES Giant Tuna, Horse Mackerel
RANGE Historically, both sides of the Bahamas, plus Gulf of Mexico and, sporadically, the Caribbean. Occasional wayward schools would sweep past Southeast Florida in past years. Now scarce everywhere, a sportfishery still exists in the Bahamas, primarily around Cat Cay and Bimini, but it is paltry compared to the years before commercial fishing ruined the stocks.
HABITAT The deep sea.
Blackfin Tuna Fishing
DESCRIPTION Dark overall but with a bronze stripe down the side that can cause confusion with the more golden stripe of the Yellowfin Tuna. The finlets, however; are dark.
SIZE Common from 2 to 20 pounds; exceeds 40 pounds. World and Florida records 49 pounds, 6 ounces.
FOOD VALUE Excellent.
GAME QUALITIES Pound-for-pound, among the best.
OTHER NAMES Bermuda Tuna, Football
RANGE All Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT The open sea.