As living standards continue to rise, more and more people are enjoying sea fishing. Many anglers prefer going out to fish in the ocean. Currently, there is a wide variety of marine fish available, and each outing often yields good catches of various sizes.
The abundance of fish in the ocean includes many valuable species, such as the Eastern star grouper, grouper, and tuna. Among these, certain varieties hold particularly high value; for instance, the blue fin tuna is renowned for its worth—catching a large one is said to be equivalent to purchasing an apartment in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen. This highlights its significant market value. This article discusses how to fish for this priceless blue fin tuna.
Habits of Tuna Fishing Equipment for Tuna,Methods of Catching Tuna Precautions When Fishing for Tuna Among the known species available for sea fishing, tuna ranks among the larger types of fish and boasts one of the largest sizes. However, catching tuna is not a straightforward task; both rods and hooks require careful selection and consideration. Additionally, it demands considerable physical strength from anglers.
The Habits of Tuna
1. Characteristics of Tuna Tuna, known as “tuna” or “sashimi fish” in Hong Kong and Macau, belongs to the family Scombridae and the genus Thunnus. It is an important large pelagic commercial food fish. Its body is elongated, robust, and streamlined, tapering towards the rear with a slender tail base. The caudal fin is forked or crescent-shaped, with prominent ridges on both sides; there are small fins behind the dorsal and anal fins that have a slightly rounded cross-section, resembling an underwater flying machine.
2. Types of Tuna There are numerous species of tuna; the most commonly encountered include yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, longfin tuna, and skipjack tuna. Among these species, yellowfin tuna, blue fin tunas (both northern and southern), and skipjack are particularly prevalent.
3. Habits
(1) All species of tuna exhibit migratory behavior. They display distinct seasonal migrations between north and south that closely correlate with ocean currents while also being influenced by factors such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen levels; additionally, prey availability plays a significant role in their movements.
(2) Exceptional swimming speed: Their instantaneous maximum swimming speed can reach up to 160 kilometers per hour (approximately 99 miles per hour), with an average cruising speed ranging from 60 to 80 kilometers per hour (37 to 50 miles per hour).
(3) Wide distribution: These organisms inhabit various regions including the Indian Ocean, central Pacific Ocean ,and central Atlantic Ocean; multiple species can also be found in China’s South China Sea.
(4) Carnivorous diet: In terms of feeding habits , they primarily consume various small fish found in marine environments . During daytime hours , they typically reside at depths ranging from 80 to 200 meters ; however , at night they ascend to approximately 20 meters deep for foraging.
The Rods for Tuna
Fishing Tuna are large individuals, which places higher demands on the fishing rods used. Ordinary fishing rods are generally inadequate for this purpose. Typically, there are three main types of rods to choose from when targeting tuna.
1. Jigging Rods Jigging rods are primarily used for bottom fishing and can target the largest individual tunas, with weights reaching several hundred pounds. They can also be employed for jigging techniques; thus, it can be said that jigging rods are the most essential type of rod for tuna fishing.
2. Trolling Rods For tuna fishing, trolling is considered one of the most exhilarating methods and requires significant physical stamina from anglers due to the immense swimming speed of tuna, which can reach dozens of kilometers per hour—this presents a considerable challenge to fishermen. Therefore, the requirements for trolling rods are exceptionally high; they must not only be standard trolling rods but rather heavy-duty models designed specifically for this purpose.
3. Surface Popping Rods In my experience with sea fishing, I have always regarded surface popping rods as backup options that see limited use—primarily deployed when schools of fish appear near the water’s surface. However, this does not imply that they lack utility altogether. At times, tuna may breach the water’s surface while feeding; particularly during dawn hours when such occurrences become more frequent—this is precisely when surface popping rods prove their worth.
Fishing Methods for Tuna
There are three main methods for tuna fishing: bottom fishing, trolling, and popping and drifting.
1. Bottom fishing is the most common method for catching large fish with a gun rod. This technique involves casting bait to the seabed, adjusting the weight of the sinker according to water flow—larger flows require larger sinkers.
(1) The fishing rod should be made of iron plate, ideally with a curved handle, and measure 1.8 to 2.1 meters in length. It must be sturdy enough to support significant pulling force, which should match your target fish size. For reels, use large fixed spool reels that can hold 200 to 1000 meters of line; I recommend a reel with a capacity of 1000 meters for versatility in different environments. An alternative is an electric reel (electric winch), which conserves energy.
The main line’s pulling strength should range from 27 to 50 kilograms, typically around number 20 in thickness, with diameters between 8 and 10 millimeters. Use ocean-grade hooks with a diameter of about 30 millimeters; single hooks are preferred over multiple ones (2-5). Bait primarily consists of squid and crabs but can also include freshly caught sardines, mackerel, or herring kept alive in tanks for better effectiveness; frozen squid or octopus are economical alternatives as well. For sinkers, prepare weights over 500 grams depending on water flow conditions.
(2) When fishing, cast the prepared bait to a fixed spot on the seabed. It’s important that the length of the lead line exceeds that of the hook line to minimize loss in case of snagging. Additionally, allowing the bait to move can attract tuna more effectively. Tuna typically swallow bait whole, making this method straightforward; simply wait for a bite and observe the rod tip or use a bell to listen for bites.
2. Trolling Method The trolling method requires a trolling rod and a line similar to that used for bottom fishing. Prepare “trolling shoes” (also known as angle horses) for both sides of the boat, and use a “plane” mainly at the center of the stern. Bait can be live bait like small pond fish or squid, typically caught fresh on-site. Artificial lures should be purchased, with a required diving depth of 20-30 meters and a weight around 500 grams. When fishing, coordinate with the boat captain, follow their instructions regarding line length to avoid tangles; generally between 40-70 meters but may vary depending on water conditions.
3.Surface Casting Method This method is simpler: during dawn or dusk when tuna schools appear, switch to surface casting rods and drop hooks into the school before slowly reeling in to catch fish. This technique focuses entirely on targeting fish; while it’s valid given high charter costs, it can be considered monotonous and doesn’t require extensive explanation.
The final fishing for tuna typically occurs in waters 100 to 200 meters deep, where the catch is substantial. The costs associated with this activity are significant, including both fishing fees and equipment expenses.
While fishing rods can be reused to lower costs, the overall expense of fishing is often beyond what most people can afford, primarily taking place in areas like the Pacific Ocean.
In China, popular spots include the Strait of Malacca, where a typical trip costs around 25,000 yuan. Friends planning to fish should invest in quality rods and bring enough gear to avoid shortages. Don’t forget to pack a large AHIC cooler for proper preservation of your catch.
