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Yellowfin tuna are a warmer water tuna species, with larger fish found primarily offshore, and smaller fish found inshore, right close to the beach on occasion. They are the grand daddy of all tuna here and are highly esteemed as not only a great eating fish, but as a terrific sport fish as well. They have the most stamina of all the tunas here and as such, fights are long and hard. It can take hours to land one, depending on the size of fish. Their ability to sound quickly, and deep, give them a great advantage over the angler. This tuna spends a fair bit of time between 300 and 400 feet but will surface to feed. Their diet consists primarily of flying fish and squid, which they snare using their great speed, sometimes moving at speeds in excess of 50 mph. They are voracious feeders, continuously eating, which grow very quickly.

Description: When alive, Yellowfin tuna are one of the most beautiful of all fishes, with its iridescent, neon-like yellows and blues radiating from it. Like most offshore fish however, its colors fade away quickly upon death, with the fish becoming a rather dull dark blue up top, with silver sides. Its differentiating feature from other tunas is its second dorsal fin, finlets and anal fins, which are all a deep golden yellow. Furthermore, the rear dorsal and rear anal fins are very long and extend to at least the base of the tail.

Fishing Techniques: By Boat: Yellowfin tuna are caught on trolling lures and jetheads, blind trolling, or once located near the surface, more often than not, swimming and feeding amongst dolphin. When they surface in numbers, live bait is often used, flat-lined or with weight when the baits used are larger. Baitfish can be as small as sardines to larger baits … caballitos and mackerel. Chumming also helps keep fish up and near the boat. Irons, spoons, bombers and cedar plugs are also used by many, cast amongst feeding fish and yoyo’d, jerked, jigged or simply skimmed along the surface. Fly-fishing: Tuna can be caught on flies too. It is easier to hook one up though, than it is to land one. Most anglers targeting tuna with conventional gear use shorter, stiff rods to muscle tuna up from the depths. Fly rods aren’t built this way and fights are usually considerably longer. I would suggest using an 8 ½ foot rod, rather than a 9 footer and stick to the heavier weight outfits, like a 12 to 15 weight, for any fish over 30 pounds or so, otherwise it will take you forever to get one up. Fast sinking lines are best for tuna as these fish usually only surface briefly, and you’ll need to get the fly down deeper. Sardine and Mackerel patterns work best for tuna, as that will likely be what they are feeding on. Use a 40 to 60 pound fluorocarbon shock leader.

Edibility & Cleaning: Yellowfin tuna is extremely popular as a food fish in every way, including canned and smoked. These fish are absolutely delicious, no matter how you prepare them. My favorite way is blackened. It is better to bleed any tuna when caught, filet it right away and then get it on ice. You’ll be surprised how much better the fish tastes when this is done. This is certainly necessary, if you are planning on having it as sushi or sashimi. Remove all red meat as well as the blood-line before freezing.

 * The abbreviated text on this page is taken from the upcoming book "Fishing - Mexican Style" by Jeff Klassen, is copyrighted and may not be used for purposes other than personal use without the written permission from the publisher.

If you want to go catch your own Yellowfin Tuna in Barra De Navidad, Melaque or anywhere in the Costalegre Mexico area please check out our Fishing Rates and Packages