| There are several varieties of tuna available in the ocean and the most commonly seen are the albacore, yellow fin, and bonito. Even if they all are tuna, they still have different types of methods of fishing and various places where to see and catch them.
The albacore is a specie of tuna that are often seen in the deep waters of the ocean with temperatures reaching to more than 58 degrees. They travel in schools, their itinerary starting in the west coast during the middle of June to October, then venture into Baja California and to Oregon. They have also been seen as in the far northern state of Alaska and far north into Mexico. Then nearing the end of their journey, they travel to Japan then back to California.
Spawning by albacores usually take place in the Pacific between the months of January to June, before their travel to the west coast. When the female albacore reaches a length of 34 to 36 inches long, they start to spawn, releasing over a million eggs. Within a few days, these eggs will hatch. The average weight gain of an albacore each year is six to eight pounds, with a six year old being about forty five pounds heavy. They eat small fishes like anchovies, and sardines, with the occasional squid and small shrimp, or whatever is on hand at that time.
Fishing for albacore is best along the warm spots in the California coast. Sea surface temperatures should be studied for increases in warm or cold water. Knowing this information can help you in trolling the area using feather jigs and plugs. When you get a hit, circle around the school of albacore and toss out live sardines and anchovies as bait for the school of albacore. If a party boat was used, chumming the bait can help make the school of tuna surface. The bigger ones will be at the bottom of the school, yours for the taking.
Yellowfin tuna are species that live in tropical areas, which are considered the most colorful fish in the family of tuna, easily recognized by long second anal and dorsal fins. They do not travel as much as the albacore and blue fin. During warm weather, these tuna can be found as far as Morro Bay. This is considered one of the strongest in the North American fish. A 200 pound yellowfin tuna fish is very common in these waters. Fishing for schools of yellow fin tuna are by trolling using jigs made of feather. It is basically similar to albacore fishing but the tackle is heavier and jigs are commonly used.
Bonito are the tuna that are less in size, about three to six pouds each, found off the coast of Southern California. They are considered to be the fitingest gamefish since they give as good as they can get. They are not picky eaters but aggressively feed. A school of bonito surface feeding can get out of hand in a feeding frenzy. A light tackle is used for fishing bonito. Anchovies are the preferred choice for bait although iron is also getting to be popular. Fly fishing is also gaining its popularity in fishing.
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