Science Name: | Euthynnus alletteratus |
Other Names: | little tuna, false albacore, bonito |
World Record: | 35 lbs. 2 oz, Algeria |
Environment: | offshore |
Techniques: | medium tackle, trolling, |
Found in tropical and subtropical waters on both sides of the Atlantic , including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, the little tunny often forms large, elliptical schools which cover up to 2 miles on the long axis. Individuals of the species rarely live over 5 years. Females may lay upto 1.8 million eggs when they reach a length of 31 inches or 14 pounds. The spawning season is throughout most of the year except December. Little tunny feed mostly on small crustaceans, squid and small fishes.
The presence of flocks of diving birds over coastal waters often indicates schools of little tunny feeding nearby. Fishermen in charter boats and smaller outboards respond to seasonal visitations by trolling baits, casting lures and drift fishing with live bait such as bluefish, pinfish or spot. For trolling, fishermen usually select small lures with mullet or ballyhoo, or use colored feathers that are lures until fish are located. They will stop to cast in the school with light spinning tackle and 6- to 10-pound test monofilament line. In these situations, Hopkins lures or jigs are presented with a fast, jerky retrieval. Some anglers have taken to fly fishing for these fish as well.