Blackfin Tuna

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Blackfin Tuna

Species Information

Scientific Name:Thunnus atlanticus
Common Names:blackfin, Bermuda tuna, blackfinned albacore, blackfin tuna, black fin
Environment:Offshore
Ideal Temp:>= 68°F (20°C)

About Blackfin Tuna

Blackfin tuna is the smallest tuna species in the Thunnus genus, generally growing to a maximum of 100 centimetres (39 in) in length and weighing 21 kg (46 lbs). Blackfin have oval shaped bodies, black backs with a slight yellow on the finlets, and have yellow on the sides of their body.

Blackfin are only found in the western Atlantic from Cape Cod to Brazil.
These tuna do not consume as much fish in their diet as other tunas, and will eat the tiny larvae of stomatopods (king shrimp or mantis shrimp), true shrimp, and crabs, as well as small fish. They do, of course, also eat juvenile and adult fish and squid. They are a short-lived, fast-growing species; a 5 year old fish would be considered old. They reach sexual maturity at two years old, and spawn in the open sea during the summer.

Blackfin tuna are a warmer-water fish, preferring water temperatures over 68°F (20°C). What they lack in size, they make up for in numbers and willingness to bite. There are scattered records of blackfin tuna occurring as far north as Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, but the usual range is from North Carolina to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Blackfin Tuna Fishing

World Record:22.39 kg (49 lb 6 oz) Marathon, Florida , USA
# Fish Caught:137208 documented in database.
Earliest Record:4/26/1933 12:00:00 AM and located at 19.45000, -80.69200.
Latest Record:6/28/2024 6:24:06 PM and located at 35.21816, -75.69606.
Common Techniques:Casting, Chunking, Fly, Jigging, Trolling
Popular Lure Types:Flies, Jigs, Plugs, Spoons, Topwater, Trolling
Fishing Spots:1385 Blackfin Tuna fishing spots.


Latest Blackfin Tuna Fishing Reports and Spots

Sept. 28 - 9/29/2024 8:43:57 AM

Nice day catching #mahi and #blackfin #tuna on the #fearless (View)

Dolphin and Tuna - 9/19/2024 1:56:09 PM

Took these new friends on a trip to the deep. Caught a mess of dolphin a couple of blackfin tuna and missed a sailfish Thanks guys (View)

Dolphin and Tuna with Old Friends - 9/23/2024 9:22:13 AM

crew of regulars from Virginia on board Saturday. We were kinda hoping to target wahoo but we gotta fish for what’s available. started out the f (View)

September 8-27 - 9/28/2024 3:47:32 PM

Body:  Inshore boats are getting into some nice trout bluefish and drum bites lately. Offshore we’re mostly seeing blackfin tuna and dolphin wi (View)

Hello Fall - 9/24/2024 8:16:42 AM

It’s fall ya’ll and our captains are relishing the fantastic fishing opportunities that Mother Nature has provided so far! Nearshore and inshor (View)

Sept. 22 - 9/23/2024 1:01:00 PM

Blackfin tuna on the #fearless (View)

Sept. 23 - 9/24/2024 1:05:00 PM

Some nice blackfin tuna on the Fearless (View)

Weekend Fishing Outlook (9/13-9/15/24) - 9/12/2024 1:11:25 PM

OFFSHORE- Number of reports were down a bit this week (Not uncommon for this time of year...ocean traffic always tends to be a little quieter as (View)

This past week we had catch & release of 2 Sailfish plus Dolphin and Blackfin Tuna. - 9/15/2024 8:38:00 AM

  (View)

8/26 - 9/7 - 9/8/2024 10:26:37 AM

Body:  We’ve had some challenging weather lately for our captains but they’ve managed plenty of good days in between! Bluefish red drum trout a (View)