WikiCatch
Southern bluefin tuna

Southern bluefin tuna

Thunnus maccoyii

Family
Scombridae
Max Length
245 cm
Max Weight
260 kg
IUCN Status
EN
Water Type
saltwater
Fishing Spots
38

Overview

The southern bluefin tuna is a tuna of the family Scombridae found in open southern Hemisphere waters of all the world's oceans mainly between 30°S and 50°S, to nearly 60°S. At up to 2.5 metres and weighing up to 260 kilograms (570 lb), it is among the larger bony fishes.

Best Baits & Lures

Live Baits

  • Pilchards

    Excellent for trolling or drifting.

  • Slimey Mackerel

    A tuna favourite, tough and oily.

  • Squid

    Effective when rigged whole or cut.

  • Yellowtail Scad

    Great for live baiting under schools.

  • Bonito

    Chunk baits work well, bleed to attract.

Artificial Lures

  • Yo-Zuri Hydro Minnow LCTrolling Lure

    Dives deep, mimics baitfish well.

    Buy
  • Williamson Sailfish CatcherSkirted Lure

    Classic tuna lure, various colors.

    Buy
  • Halco Laser Pro 190Trolling Lure

    Strong action, good for high speeds.

    Buy
  • Shimano Orca Sinking PencilCasting Lure

    Cast to surface feeding fish.

    Buy
  • Daiwa Saltiga SliderJig

    Vertical jigging, fast retrieve.

    Buy

Techniques

Use a chum slick to attract tuna and keep them near the boat, then present your bait or lure within the chum line for the best chance of a strike.

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Where to Find Southern bluefin tuna

Western Australia, Australia8 spotsSouth Australia, Australia8 spotsTasmania, Australia6 spotsVictoria, Australia4 spotsNew South Wales, Australia2 spotsBay of Plenty, New Zealand2 spotsPuntarenas, Costa Rica2 spotsAndaman and Nicobar Islands, India1 spotsNorthland, New Zealand1 spotsBali, Indonesia1 spots
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bait for Southern bluefin tuna?+

Popular baits for Southern bluefin tuna include Pilchards, Slimey Mackerel, Squid, Yellowtail Scad, Bonito. Tip: Use a chum slick to attract tuna and keep them near the boat, then present your bait or lure within the chum line for the best chance of a strike.

Where can I catch Southern bluefin tuna?+

Southern bluefin tuna can be found in many locations worldwide. Top regions include Western Australia, Australia; South Australia, Australia; Tasmania, Australia. WikiCatch lists 38 fishing spots where this species is found.

How big do Southern bluefin tuna get?+

Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) can reach up to 245.00000476837158 cm in length and 260 kg in weight. Their IUCN conservation status is EN.

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