Atlantic bluefin tuna

Huge, torpedo-shaped tuna with a dark blue back, short pectoral fins and yellow finlets.

100–600 lb ("giants").

Over 10 ft and 1,500 lb.

Flying fish, ballyhoo, small tunas, mackerels and squid.

Open-ocean traveler that follows current edges, weed lines and bait schools.

Found from Florida Atlantic Coast, Northern Gulf (AL–TX), Mexico Gulf Coast, Bahamas & Turks and Caicos, North Carolina, Virginia & Chesapeake Bay, Delaware & New Jersey, New York, Long Island & Connecticut, Rhode Island & Massachusetts and New Hampshire & Maine. Migrates through the Gulf of Mexico to spawn in spring and passes the Bahamas and east Florida.

Migrates through the Gulf of Mexico to spawn in spring and passes the Bahamas and east Florida.

Surface to 500 ft.

Surface to 100 ft over deep water (300+ ft).

Varies by species and area; winter for sailfish off southeast Florida, spring–summer for many others.

Morning bites are common; fish the whole day when the current edge is right.

Ocean current and temperature breaks matter more than tide.

Moderate wind against the current can stack bait — but only go when it's safe.

Live or dead mackerel, herring and squid.

Large spreader bars and big topwater plugs.

20–50 lb class trolling or stand-up outfit; kite and live-bait rigs for sailfish.

5/0–8/0 non-offset circle hooks with natural bait (required for billfish tournaments and federal HMS rules).

20–50 lb mono or braid with mono top shot.

40–100 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

Heavy stand-up or chair tackle with 80–130 lb gear.

If you hook one by accident in the Gulf, release it quickly and keep it in the water.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.

Bills and fast runs — never grab the bill of a lit-up fish, and keep big fish in the water.

Strictly managed: Gulf of Mexico spawning fish may not be targeted, and an HMS permit and reporting are required in U.S. waters — check NOAA. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.

Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.