Albacore

General Information The Albacore, also known as the Longfin Tuna, has a tuna shaped body with very long pectoral fins that reach back to the dorsal finlets. These long pectoral fins are the most obvious characteristic that distinguishes this fish from the other tunas such as the Yellowfin and Bluefin.

Feeding & Catching This is a highly prized game fish, and even more so on the fly. Albacore schools chase schools of baitfish such as anchovies and sardines. It is when they have school of baitfish pressed hard against the surface that the fly fisher has a chance of introducing an artificial baitfish and getting a strike and hookup. Anglers look for tell-tale signs of an active school by observing feeding birds on the waters surface and the surface action of the fleeing baitfish. The trick is to get close enough to the feeding school for a cast, without spooking them, yet quickly enough so that there is enough time to work the school before they finish there attack.