Bigeye Tuna

Overview

The bigeye tuna is a deep-diving heavyweight prized for its size, its dogged fight and its superb sashimi-grade flesh. A prime target of offshore canyon and deep-drop fishing, a big "eye" is one of the most rewarding tuna a light-to-medium offshore angler can land.

Identification

Bigeye tuna have, as the name says, notably large eyes, a deep robust body, metallic dark-blue back and silver sides, and long pectoral fins. They resemble yellowfin but are stockier with a bigger eye and duller finlets.

Range & Habitat

They roam warm and temperate oceans worldwide, holding deeper than most tunas along offshore canyons, seamounts and temperature breaks.

Behavior & Diet

Bigeye feed deep by day on fish, squid and crustaceans, rising toward the surface at dawn, dusk and night. They fight deep and dogged rather than fast and flashy.

Best Seasons

The fishery peaks from summer into fall along offshore canyons, with night and low-light periods often best as fish move up.

How to Catch Them

Trolling deep-diving lures and spreads over canyons, chunking and deep-dropping baits, and jigging the depths; low-light periods are prime.

Tackle & Rigs

Medium-heavy offshore conventional gear, 50-80 lb class, fluorocarbon leaders and strong hooks for a deep-pulling heavyweight.

Landing, Handling & Release

Fight them from a harness and gaff keepers cleanly; bleed and ice immediately to protect the prized flesh.

Table Quality

Bigeye is among the very best eating tunas - rich, fatty and prized for sashimi and sushi, rivaling bluefin.

Common Mistakes

Not fishing deep enough by day and failing to chill the catch immediately.

Regulations & Conservation

Managed under tuna frameworks with permits and limits; a federal HMS permit is required for the fishery. Always confirm the current regulations before keeping fish. We do not give legal advice.

FAQ

Bigeye or yellowfin? Bigeye are stockier with a larger eye and duller finlets, and hold deeper.

Good eating? Excellent - top-grade sashimi tuna.