Mackerel, Pacific sierra Scomberomorus sierra

Jordan, Starks 1895

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called carite sierra, serrucho, sierra

Occurs in the eastern central Pacific: from La Jolla in southern California, USA south to the Galapagos Islands and Paita, Peru and has been reported from Antofagasta, Chile.

The Pacific sierra is most easily distinguished by pigment and color pattern. It is silver-blue above and silvery white on the lower sides and belly with a series of yellow-brown spots on the sides. The anterior half of the first spiny part of the dorsal fin is jet black, in contrast to the lighter remainder of the fin.

A schooling species, the Pacific sierra is fast moving, voracious predator feeding on small fishes, especially anchovies and herrings. It occurs near the surface of coastal waters over the continental shelf and is believed to spawn close to the coast over most of its range.

The Pacific sierra is the most abundant game fish along the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America. Anglers employ a variety of natural baits and artificial lures with wire leaders to guard against their sharp teeth. (See also mackerel, cero and Spanish)

Mackerel, king Scomberomorus cavalla

Cuvier, 1829

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called kingfish, giant mackerel

Found in the western Atlantic Ocean in tropical and subtropical waters, it ranges from Maine in the U.S. to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, and is common around south Florida in the winter months. This migratory species is constantly on the move. Stocks wintering in Florida migrate as far west as Texas and as far north as Virginia during the summer. It also occurs around south Florida in the spring and early summer months.

A coastal, pelagic, schooling species, it is usually found in waters of 10 20 fathoms. Occasionally it may be caught from ocean piers and around inlets. Congregations often occur around wrecks, buoys, coral reefs, and other such areas where food is abundant. Schools vary in size and the largest individuals are usually loners.

They can be distinguished from other Spanish mackerels in the western Atlantic by the sharp dip in the lateral line under the second dorsal fin, by the relatively small number of spines in the first dorsal fin (14 16). The young have spots similar to those in the Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus, but these spots disappear with age. The first dorsal fin is uniformly blue; the anterior third of this fin is never black as it is in the Spanish mackerel and the cero mackerel, S. regalis.

This is an important species, both commercially and as a sport fish. Fishing methods include trolling or drifting either deep or on the surface using strip baits, lures, or small whole baits as well as casting and live bait fishing. Balao, mullet, jacks, herring, pinfish, croakers, shrimp, spoons, feathers, jigs, and plugs have proven effective under various conditions, as have such combinations as feather strip bait and skirt strip bait. Chumming works well to attract and hold these fish

Bonito, Atlantic Sarda sarda

Bloch, 1793

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called common bonito, katonkel, belted bonito

Occurs in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Argentina to Nova Scotia and from South Africa to Norway. It is apparently rare in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, and is common in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It is replaced in the Pacific by other Sarda species. The Atlantic bonito is often confused with the skipjack or with other Atlantic Scombroid species. The bonitos have stripes on the back, not the belly. The first dorsal fin has 20 23 spines. The second dorsal fin consists of 13 18 rays followed by 7 10 finlets. The anal fin consists of 14 17 rays followed by 6 8 finlets. The caudal peduncle has a lateral keel on either side. As with all Scombroid fishes, there are also two smaller keels farther back, above and below the main keel. The Sarda species have no teeth on the tongue and no swim bladder. Also, the intestine is straight, rather than folded in the middle. There is a total of 16 23 gill rakers on the first gill arch. The back is steel blue or blue green. The lower flanks and belly are silvery.

This species is pelagic, schooling and migratory and feeds on smaller fishes and squids usually at or near the surface 15 20 miles offshore. A strong, fast swimmer, it is known to skip or leap on the surface when in pursuit of prey. Best fishing methods include trolling at or near the surface, casting, jigging, or live bait fishing. Baits include small pelagic schooling fishes and squid as well as cut fish, strip baits, or any of a variety of artificial lures. The flesh is light colored and of good quality, though held in low esteem by some.

Mackerel, narrowbarred Scomberomorus commerson

Lacepede, 1800

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called tanguigue, giant mackerel, kingfish, serra, barracuta

Found in tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Specimens have been found in the Red Sea and have migrated through the Suez Canal into the eastern Mediterranean.

The body of the narrowbarred mackerel is more compressed than that of the similar looking wahoo, Acanthocybium solanderi and the lateral line dips below the second dorsal fin, rather than near the middle of the first dorsal fin. There are 3 6 gill rakers on the first arch, whereas the wahoo has none. The flanks display numerous irregular, vertical, wavy bars. As the fish grows the number of stripes increase.

This pelagic and migratory species is a schooling fish but large specimens often travel alone. Its diet consists of small, pelagic schooling fishes, such as sardines and anchovies. It also feeds on flying fish which it is adept at catching even in mid flight.

The narrowbarred mackerel is a highly rated game fish that sounds often, runs hard and fast, and occasionally leaps. Fishing methods include surface or deep trolling with squid, mullet, sauries, flying fish, garfish and strip baits as well as with drone heads and other artificial lures. Live bait fishing near reefs with these and other baits is also productive. The best fishing is at dawn or dusk and at high or low slack tide.It is an important commercial species in the areas where it occurs. The flesh is of excellent quality as table fare as well as for use as whole bait, strip bait or chum

Tuna, yellowfin Thunnus albacares

Bonnaterre, 1788

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called Allison tuna

Occurs worldwide in deep, warm temperate oceanic waters. It is both pelagic and seasonally migratory, but has been known to come fairly close to shore.

Most large yellowfins have overextended second dorsal and anal fins that may reach more than halfway back to the tail base in some large specimens. In smaller specimens under about 60 lb (27 kg) and in some very large specimens as well, this may not be an accurate distinguishing factor since the fins do not appear to be as long in all specimens. The pectoral fins in adults reach to the origin of the second dorsal fin, but never beyond the second dorsal fin to the finlets as in the albacore. The bigeye tuna (T. obesus) and the blackfin tuna (T. atlanticus) may have pectoral fins similar in length to those of the yellowfin. The yellowfin can be distinguished from the blackfin by the black margins on its finlets. Blackfin tuna, like albacore, have white margins on the finlets. It can be distinguished from the bigeye tuna by the lack of striations on the ventral surface of the liver.

This is probably the most colorful of all the tunas. The back is blue black, fading to silver on the lower flanks and belly. A golden yellow or iridescent blue stripe runs from the eye to the tail, though this is not always prominent. All the fins and finlets are golden yellow though in some very large specimens the elongated dorsal and anal fins may be silver edged with yellow. The finlets have black edges. The belly frequently shows as many as 20 vertical rows of whitish spots.

The diet depends largely on local abundance, and includes flying fish, other small fish, squid and crustaceans. Fishing methods include trolling with small fish, squid, or other trolled baits including strip baits and artificial lures as well as chumming with live bait fishing.

It is highly esteemed both as a sport fish and as table fare. Its flesh is very light compared to that of other tunas, with the exception of the albacore, which has white meat

Tuna, southern bluefin Thunnus maccoyii

Castelnau, 1872

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called Japanese Central Pacific bluefin tuna

A species of the southern ocean found worldwide from 30?S to about 50?S latitude occurring in oceanic to coastal waters below thermoclines. Southern bluefin are commonly found off the southern and eastern coasts of Australia and New Zealand.

This pelagic and seasonally migratory species has been studied quite extensively in Australian waters due to its commercial importance. They spawn in the eastern Indian Ocean with one and two year old fish appearing off Western Australia in summer. Three and four year olds appear off Southern Australia in summer and New South Wales in winter. The migratory route from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific splits into two routes off southern Tasmania. Fish move either to northern New Zealand via South Island or up the Australian coast.

They closely resemble the Atlantic bluefin (Thunnus thynnus), and were once thought to be the same species. The difference is the number of gill rakers. The southern bluefin has a total of 31 40 on the first arch while the Atlantic bluefin has a total of 34 43. Both have in common striations on the ventral surface of the liver, short pectoral fins that do not reach to the interspace between the first and second dorsal fins, and moderate second dorsal and anal fins that are never elongated like those of the yellowfin tuna (T. albacares). The finlets are dusky yellow edged with black. It is the only species of Thunnus in which the caudal keels are bright yellow except in fish larger than 150 lb (68 kg) where the caudal keels tend to be darker.

They travel in schools of similar sized fish. Their diet consists of a variety of crustaceans, cephalopods, and fish including anchovies and pilchards.

The most popular method of catch this powerful, hard fighting fish is trolling. It can also be taken from boats or from the shore using live scombroid fishes (mackerels and little tunas) for bait. It is rarely taken on dead baits. Hooked fish are prone to fast surface runs and deep sounding.

They are excellent both as a sport fish and as table fare

Tuna, longtail Thunnus tonggol

Bleeker, 1851

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called northern bluefin tuna, oriental bonito

Occurs in the tropical and subtropical central Pacific Ocean throughout Southeast Asia to the eastern Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. Though largely coastal, it avoids low salinity areas near the mouths of rivers. It is also seasonally migratory, occurring in large feeding schools off the western and northeastern coasts of Australia. Smaller schools occur off the coasts of India.

It is less robust and more elongated than the southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyi). Other traits which separate this species from the southern bluefin are colorless oval spots on the belly, the absence of a swim bladder, the lack of striations on the liver surface, and the lower gill raker count, 20 23 mean total. The ventral surface from about the pectoral fin to the anal is covered with colorless elongated spots. The tips of the second dorsal and anal fins are yellow. The finlets are yellow and edged with gray.

Its diet consists of a wide variety of crustaceans, cephalopods (squid) and fish, including hardyheads and garfish. Longtail tuna are often observed making dashing bursts through dense shoals of bait fish, showering spray as they do so.

Big schools can often be seen on the surface but are often virtually impossible to hook. At other times this fish will take lures and baits without any previous indication of its presence. The fight is a tough one, both on the surface and deep down.

Trolling small feathers over “holes” in the bottom and between coral reefs at high tide produces strikes. Also, trolling live or dead baits through dumped trash fish behind. Artificial lures and saltwater flies is also popular. The flesh is pink and of good quality

Tuna, bigeye (Atlantic) Thunnus obesus

Lowe, 1836

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY


Found in warm temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, this schooling, pelagic, seasonally migratory species is suspected of making rather extensive migrations. Schools bigeye tuna generally run deep during the day. Schools of bluefin, yellowfin and some others are known to occasionally swim at the surface, especially in warm water.

The pectoral fins may reach to the second dorsal fin. The second dorsal and anal fins never reach back as far as those of large yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). It has a total of 23 31 gill rakers on the first arch. The margin of the liver is striated. The two dorsal fins are close set, the first having 13 14 spines and the second, 14 16 rays. The anal fin has 11 15 rays. On either side of the caudal peduncle there is a strong lateral keel between two small keels that are located slightly farther back on the tail. The scales are small except on the anterior corselet. The vent is oval or teardrop shaped, not round as in the albacore. The first dorsal fin is deep yellow. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are blackish brown or yellow and may be edged with black. The finlets are bright yellow with narrow black edges. The tail does not have a white trailing edge like that of the albacore. Generally, there are no special markings on the body, but some specimens may have vertical rows of whitish spots on the venter.

At one time it was not recognized as a separate species but considered a variation of the yellowfin tuna. They are similar in many respects, but the bigeye's second dorsal and anal fins never grow as long as those of the yellowfin. In the bigeye tuna the margin of the liver is striated and the right lobe is about the same size as the left lobe, in the yellowfin tuna the liver is smooth and the right lobe is clearly longer than either the left or the middle lobe.

Its diet includes squid, crustaceans, mullet, sardines, small mackerels and some deep water species. Fishing methods are trolling deep with squid, mullet or other small baits, or artificial lures and live bait fishing in deep waters with similar baits. It is an excellent food or sport fish, an important commercial species

Mackerel, cero Scomberomorus regalis

Bloch, 1793

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called cero, spotted cero, king mackerel, black spotted Spanish mackerel, sierra, pintada, cavalla

While known from New England to Brazil, cero are primarily fish of the tropical and sub tropical reefs. They are common throughout the Florida Keys, West Indies, and Cuba. It is the most common Scomberomorus species in the West Indies.

Cero differ from the king mackerel and Spanish mackerel in having a pattern of both yellow spots, yellow orange streaks, and a dark color line running the length of the body, and a lateral line that gradually curves down toward the caudal peduncle. The anterior third of the first dorsal fin is black like the Spanish mackerel. The pectoral fins are covered with small scales like the king mackerel.

They are an epipelagic species that are most abundant in the clear waters around coral reefs, usually found solitary or in small groups. They feed mainly on small schooling fishes, especially sardines, herrings, pilchards, anchovies and silversides and sometimes squids and shrimps.

They are popular game fish and are frequently taken by commercial fishermen. Sometimes, cero are used as rigged bait for larger game fish. Fishing methods are identical for cero and Spanish mackerel. As with any mackerel fishing, fast trolling while looking for baitfish is a good way to find ceros. Common lures include small silver spoons and white jigs. They also hit surface swimming plugs, chuggers, and shallow running plugs. They have sharp teeth so a wire leader is essential.

Cero reportedly attain a weight in excess of 22 lb (10 kg), but most caught are much smaller. They are considered to be excellent table fare

Wahoo Acanthocybium solandri

Cuvier, 1832

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called oahu fish, Pacific kingfish

Worldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas. Pelagic and seasonally migratory, it tends to be a loner or travel in small groups of 2 to 6 fish. There are indications of seasonal concentrations off the Pacific coasts of Panama, Costa Rica and Baja California in the summer, off Grand Cayman (Atlantic) in the winter and spring, and off the western Bahamas and Bermuda in the spring and fall.

The upper jaw is movable and the teeth are large, strong and laterally compressed. The well defined lateral line dips noticeably near the middle of the first dorsal fin, further forward than on the similar looking tanguigue (Scomberomorus commerson), and is wavy back to the tail. The back is a brilliant, deep, blue sometimes described as metallic or electric blue. Bright blue vertical bands, or “tiger stripes”, flow down the sides onto the silver and sometimes join into pairs on the belly. These beautiful stripes are not, however, always prominent in large specimens and occasionally may be missing entirely.

It is found around wrecks and reefs where smaller fish that it feeds upon are abundant, but it may also be found far out at sea.

It is reputed to be one of the fastest fish in the sea, attaining speeds of 50 mph (80 km) and more. The first scorching run may peel off several hundred yards of line in seconds. Occasionally this fish jumps on the strike and often shakes its head violently when hooked in an effort to free itself. Fishing methods include trolling with whole, rigged baits as well as with strip baits or artificial lures. Live bait fishing and kite fishing are productive, but the wahoo is a relatively scarce species and is usually taken incidentally while fishing for other oceanic species. The wahoo has commercial importance in some countries. The flesh is finely grained and sweet and is considered excellent eating

Tuna, bluefin Thunnus thynnus

Linnaeus, 1758

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called Atlantic bluefin tuna, tunny fish, horse mackerel

Occurs in subtropical and temperate waters of the north Pacific Ocean, the North Atlantic Ocean, and in the Mediterranean and Black seas.

It is a pelagic, schooling, highly migratory species. The smallest fish form the largest schools and vice versa. Its extensive migrations of all fish, appear to be tied to water temperature, spawning habits, and the seasonal movements of fishes on which the bluefin feeds. The giants of the species make the longest migrations.

This is the largest tuna and one of the largest true bony fish. It can be distinguished from almost all others by its rather short pectoral fins which extend only as far back as the eleventh or twelfth spine in the first dorsal fin. There are 12-14 spines in the first dorsal fin and 13-15 rays in the second. The anal fin has 11-15 rays. It has the highest gill raker count of any species of Thunnus with 34-43 on the first arch. The ventral surface of the liver is striated and the middle lobe is usually the largest. The anal fin and the finlets are dusky yellow edged with black. The lateral keel is black in adults.

Its diet consists of squid, eels and crustaceans as well as pelagic schooling fish such as mackerel, flying fish, herring, whiting, and mullet. During spawning which occurs in the summer or spring, a giant female may shed 25 million or more eggs. Bluefins grow rapidly and may be 2 ft (0.6 m) in length and weigh 9 lb (4 kg) by the end of their first year. By age 14 they may be over 8 ft (2 m) long and weigh 700 lb (318 kg).

Fishing methods include still fishing or trolling with live or dead bait such as mackerel, herring, mullet, or squid; and trolling with artificial lures including spoons, plugs, or feathers.

Bluefin tuna are supreme in their size, strength and speed, and are a very important game fish. They are also extremely important commercially in many parts of the worl

Skipjack, black Euthynnus lineatus

Kishinouye, 1920

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called little tuna, false albacore, spotted tuna, mackerel tuna, skipjack

They inhabit tropical and warm temperate waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean from California to Peru, and rarely the central Pacific.

The dorsal fin has 13 15 spines and is high anteriorly. This distinguishes it from the bonito, Sarda, which have a relatively long and low first dorsal fin. The anal fin, which has 11 13 rays is similar to the second dorsal fin in size and shape. The body lacks scales, except on the anterior corselet and along the lateral line. This is the only species of Euthynnus with 37, instead of the usual 39, vertebrae. Each jaw has 20 40 small, conical teeth. Bonitos have fewer and larger conical teeth. Mackerels have flat, triangular teeth.

It is distinguished from similar species by the 4 or 5 broad, straight, black stripes which run horizontally along the back and by the dark spots between the pectoral and ventral fins. In live specimens, stripes may be visible on the venter as well as on the back, which has frequently led to confusion with the skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis. The stripes on the belly rarely persist long after death in the black skipjack, however, whereas they remain prominent in the skipjack tuna.

It is pelagic, schooling and migratory, feeding predominantly on small surface fishes, squids, and crustaceans. It can be hooked by trolling or casting small whole baits or strip baits, or small lures such as spoons, plugs, jigs, and feathers. It has been said that the black skipjack will strike any lure trolled at speeds up to 8 or 10 miles per hour (12 16 km).

It is rated as a good food fish by some and disdained by others. Its flesh is dark red and the taste is strong

Tuna, dogtooth Gymnosarda unicolor

Ruppell, 1836

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called scaleless tuna, lizard mouth tuna, white tuna, vau, atu, kidukidu or dadori

Inhabits tropical and subtropical areas of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans around coral reefs. It has been taken in the Red Sea and sporadically in southern Japanese waters as well as around Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, the Society Islands, the Marquesas Islands and from East Africa to Australia. It is a pelagic and migratory species, but is known to enter in shore waters during the warm season.

It is noted for its lack of scales (except on the corselet and along either side of the lateral line) and for its large conical teeth; features which have given it the names “scaleless tuna” and “dogtooth tuna” respectively. It is actually a bonito. The first dorsal fin has 13 15 spines, the second is higher and has 12 14 rays followed by 6 7 dorsal finlets. The anal fin has 12 13 rays. There are 11 14 gill rakers on the first arch. The lateral line is prominent and wavy, ending in a keel on the caudal peduncle. It is the only bonito that has a swim bladder and a large, single interpelvic process. There are no dark stripes or spots on the body. The second dorsal and anal fins are tipped with white.

It is usually found around or reefs, channels, passes or rocky areas, where it feeds extensively on reef fish. Tunas and most bonitos feed more often on pelagic, schooling fishes, but no tuna or bonito feeds exclusively on any one type of prey. The dogtooth will readily consume a smaller mackerel, squid or other pelagic fish.

When hooked its first run is fast and long and is followed by a deep, circling, tough fight. It is usually taken incidentally while deep trolling or deep live or dead bait fishing for other species in the vicinity of an off shore reef, though some are caught on rigs trolled on or near the surface. It has been known to take mackerel, mullet, squid, strip baits, spoons, plugs, feathers and plastic lures.

The dogtooth is reported to be excellent both as a sport fish and as table fare

Tuna, skipjack Katsuwonus pelamis

Linnaeus, 1758

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called skipjack, ocean bonito, Arctic bonito, striped tuna, watermelon tuna

Cosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical seas, usually in deep coastal and oceanic waters. It is common throughout the tropical Atlantic, south to Argentina and may range as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the summer months. Skipjack tuna are schooling, pelagic, migratory, deep water species. In the western Atlantic, skipjack tuna frequently school with blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) and in the Pacific and Indian Oceans they often school with yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). The common name Arctic bonito which is sometimes applied to the skipjack is a misnomer. The fish does not range into Arctic waters and is not a bonito, but a tuna.

The presence of stripes on the belly and the absence of markings on the back are sufficient to distinguish the skipjack tuna from all similar species. The lower flanks and belly are silvery with 4 to 6 prominent, dark longitudinal stripes running from just behind the corselet back towards the tail, ending when they come into contact with the lateral line. Though some other species do have stripes on the belly, they have markings on the back as well, and the latter remain the most prominent after death.

This is a gregarious fish and a fast swimmer. It feeds near the surface, forming schools composed of 50,000 or more individuals. It will strike trolled strip baits, feathers, spoons, plugs, or small whole baits. Some are taken by casting, jigging or live bait fishing off shore.

In addition to being an esteemed light tackle species, it has great commercial value. In the U.S. it is canned with yellowfin and bigeye tuna and sold as light meat tuna

Tuna, Pacific bluefin Thunnus orientalis

Temminck, Schlegel, 1844

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY


Worldwide there are three species of bluefin tuna. Two of the species, the Pacific and southern bluefin were thought to be a subspecies of Atlantic bluefin (Thunnus thynnus) because of their similar appearance. Scientists also thought that Pacific bluefin were restricted to the northern hemisphere, but the old adage that the ocean has no fences appears to be true as there are more and more substantiated reports of Pacific bluefin making deep forays down under. In fact, the new millennium has seen impressive runs of Pacific bluefin off of New Zealand, and several All-Tackle records have been caught there recently, including the current record of 716 lb 8 oz. Oftentimes Pacific bluefin tuna may be distinguished from southern bluefin by the dark color of their caudal keels at the base of the tail. Southern bluefin tuna generally have a yellow or yellowish coloration on the caudal keel, but this may not be a 100% accurate means of differentiating between species. Because Pacific bluefin may be difficult to distinguish from southern bluefin, IGFA will require that a genetic analysis accompany the application for any Pacific bluefin caught in the southern hemisphere that weighs less than the current southern bluefin All-Tackle record of 348 lb.

Kawakawa Euthynnus affinis

Cantor, 1849

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called wavyback skipjack, eastern little tuna, mackerel, tuna, Pacific little tunny, false albacore.

Widespread in tropical and temperate waters of the Indo Pacific from the Red Sea and South Africa east to Indonesia and Australia, and from Japan and the Philippines through Oceania to the Hawaiian Islands. It is accidental in the eastern Pacific where it is replaced by the closely related black skipjack, Euthynnus lineatus. This pelagic and migratory species stays fairly close to land. It may be found near reefs and in estuaries as well as in open waters.

The dorsal fin has 14 16 spines and the second dorsal fin, 12 13 rays. The anal fin has 12 14 rays. There are no scales on the body, except on the corselet and lateral line. There are 29 34 gill rakers on the first arch, as compared to 53 63 in the skipjack tuna, Katsuwonnus pelamis, and 32 41 in the black skipjack, E. lineatus. On the back, beginning near the midpoint of the dorsal fin, there are a number of oblique, wavy lines over a turquoise background. These squiggly lines run from the lateral line back towards the dorsal fins. Some live specimens may display dark, prominent longitudinal stripes on the venter. These stripes tend to disappear quickly once the fish is removed from the water, leaving only a number of dark spots showing between the pectoral fins and the ventral fins.

More than half of the food ingested by the kawakawa consists of crustaceans, though squid and pelagic fish also form a large part of its diet. Fishing methods include trolling lures or whole or cut baits, live bait fishing, casting, and spin fishing.

The flesh is dark red. In some places it is highly valued as food, though there is no specific commercial market for it. In Hawaii it is often served as sashimi

Bonito, Pacific Sarda spp

Temminck & Schlegel, 1844; striped bonito / Sarda chiliensis Cuvier, 1831; California bonito, eastern Pacific bonito / Sarda australis Macleay, 1880; Australian bonito

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY


Sarda chiliensis is restricted to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Its range is divided into two separate populations. The northern population (Sarda chiliensis lineolata) ranges from Alaska to southern Baja and the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico. The southern population (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis) ranges from Peru to Chile. The two populations are replaced from Baja, California to Peru by Sarda orientalis (the most widespread of the species of Sarda listed above) which also occur in scattered populations throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Sarda australis has the most restricted range of the three occurring only off the eastern coast of Australia. Distinguishing the Pacific bonitos from each other and from other Pacific Scombroid species has been confusing for many anglers. Superficially, many of the species resemble each other closely. The Sarda species differ from all other bonitos (with the exception of Allothunnus fallai, the so called slender tuna) in having no teeth on the tongue and in having a straight intestine with no fold in the middle. The Sarda species are not normally confused with Allothunnus and can be easily distinguished by the number of gill rakers: Sarda has 8 27 on the first arch (S. orientalis, 8 13; S. australis, 19 21; S. chiliensis, 23 27) whereas Allothunnus had 72 80. The Sarda species are further characterized by the first dorsal fin which has 17 19 spines. Like all bonitos (with the exception of Gymnosarda, the dogtooth tuna) Sarda has no swim bladder. Sarda australis has stripes on the belly as well as on the back, but other Sarda species lack any sort of stripes, lines, or spots on the belly.

Bonitos are migratory, schooling, pelagic fishes. They feed on smaller pelagic fishes and on squid, usually near the surface. Fishing methods include surface trolling; also casting, jigging, live baiting or ues of a variety of small artificial lures. The flesh is light colored and of good quality

Tuna, bigeye (Pacific) Thunnus obesus

Lowe, 1836

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY

Found in warm temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, this schooling, pelagic, seasonally migratory species is suspected of making rather extensive migrations. Schools bigeye tuna generally run deep during the day. Schools of bluefin, yellowfin and some others are known to occasionally swim at the surface, especially in warm water.

The pectoral fins may reach to the second dorsal fin. The second dorsal and anal fins never reach back as far as those of large yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). It has a total of 23 31 gill rakers on the first arch. The margin of the liver is striated. The two dorsal fins are close set, the first having 13 14 spines and the second, 14 16 rays. The anal fin has 11 15 rays. On either side of the caudal peduncle there is a strong lateral keel between two small keels that are located slightly farther back on the tail. The scales are small except on the anterior corselet. The vent is oval or teardrop shaped, not round as in the albacore. The first dorsal fin is deep yellow. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are blackish brown or yellow and may be edged with black. The finlets are bright yellow with narrow black edges. The tail does not have a white trailing edge like that of the albacore. Generally, there are no special markings on the body, but some specimens may have vertical rows of whitish spots on the venter.

At one time it was not recognized as a separate species but considered a variation of the yellowfin tuna. They are similar in many respects, but the bigeye second dorsal and anal fins never grow as long as those of the yellowfin. In the bigeye tuna the margin of the liver is striated and the right lobe is about the same size as the left lobe, in the yellowfin tuna the liver is smooth and the right lobe is clearly longer than either the left or the middle lobe.

Its diet includes squid, crustaceans, mullet, sardines, small mackerels and some deep water species. Fishing methods are trolling deep with squid, mullet or other small baits, or artificial lures and live bait fishing in deep

waters with similar baits. It is an excellent food or sport fish, an important commercial species.

Mackerel, Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus

Mitchill, 1815

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY


Occurs in the western Atlantic north to the Chesapeake Bay and occasionally to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and south to Yucatan, Mexico.

The Spanish mackerel can be distinguished from both the cero mackerel, Scomberomorus regalis, and the king mackerel, S. cavalla, by the presence of bronze or yellow spots but no stripes, on the sides and by the lack of scales on the pectoral fins. The cero, the Spanish mackerel's closest look alike in the Atlantic, has both spots and stripes of bronze or yellow on the sides, and the king mackerel has neither spots nor stripes. Both the cero and the king mackerel have scales on the pectoral fins.

The anterior portion of the first dorsal fin in the Spanish mackerel is black (not true of the king mackerel), and the second dorsal fin and pectoral fins may be black tipped. The body is essentially silvery and typically mackerel like. The back is bluish.

This is an excellent game fish that can be taken on a wide variety of lures and baits. Nylon jigs are considered one of the best lures, especially when retrieved rapidly with an occasional jerk of the rod tip to impact a darting motion to the jig. Feather lures and spoons are also successful, while minnows and live shrimp are the best natural baits. Occasionally almost any lure or bait will work, while at other times, nothing will.

Spanish mackerel are a good food fish and although they are considered large at 10 lb (4.53 kg) some record specimens will grow to more than twice that size

Tuna, blackfin Thunnus atlanticus

Lesson, 1830

SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY
Also called Bermuda tuna, blackfinned albacore

Occurs in tropical and warm temperate waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. There are scattered records of blackfin tuna occurring as far north as Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, but the usual range is from North Carolina to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

The pectoral fins reach to somewhere between the twelfth dorsal spine and the origin of the second dorsal fin but they never extend beyond the second dorsal fin as in the albacore. There is a total of 19-25 (usually 21-23) gill rakers on the first arch (15-19 are on the lower limb), which is fewer than in any other species of Thunnus. The finlets are uniformly dark, without a touch of the bright lemon yellow usually present in those of other tunas. Light bars alternate with light spots on the lower flanks.

This is a pelagic, schooling fish that generally feeds near the surface. Its diet consists of small fishes, squid, crustaceans, and plankton. An excellent light tackle species, it can be taken by trolling or casting small baits or lures, including ballyhoo, mullet and other small fishes as well as strip baits, spoons, feathers, jigs, or plugs; or by live bait fishing from boats at the surface of deep waters one to two miles offshore. It has some local commercial importance, but is predominantly an angler's fish. It is a spunky game species and the flesh is of good quality and flavor