Albacore

Albacore

When albacore tuna come to the Bay area, they are the number one sports fish. They are fast, tough , never-give-up fish. There is no limit on the number you can catch and, anglers may catch one fish after another if there is a large scgool of them. They are found in numbers when the water is usually warm. That means El Nino years bring these fish to our areas. Anglers may land one to two Albacore on a typical tuna trip, but when they are abundant like they were in 1997, anglers may average 10 or more. Most people wear out before the day is over and either stop fishing or just go through the motions.

Albacores species name is Thunnus Alaunga. Albacore Tuna make a large circuit around the Pacific Ocean swimming north along our shore then circling west to Japan and south of the Hawain Islands. A typical Albacore weighs ten to fifteen pounds. The largest Albacore ever caught in the Bay Area is ninety pounds. This type of tuna usually roams the oceans following schools of bait fish. They primarily eat Anchovies , Hering and other bait fish. The best fishing areas to catch Albacore in the Bay area are offshore on a typical year but may come a few miles off shore on an El Nino Year. The most common season for catching Albacore are from August to October when the waters are the warmest. There are many ways to catch Albacore but the most commom and effiecient way is troll fast feathered or plastic jigs so you can locate the schools. Then fish with live bait or lures once you have located the school. There are no restrictions, or limits to the numbers anglers can catch and they can be caught all year.