Experiencing a tuna, skipjack and yellowfin fishing charter in Hawaii is a lifetime memory! Tuna provides anglers with a thrilling chase in Hawaiian waters. At Oahu Charter Sport Fishing, we know you’re looking to us for knowledge of the waters as well as the fun of an adventure. Travelers from around the world come to the island to explore the majestic blue waters and tropical beaches.
If you’re looking for big fish gaming, yellowfin and skipjack guarantee a fun experience. You never know what’s going to bite your line. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned angler, the best fishing charter in Hawaii will leave you with memories to share for a lifetime.
Call Oahu Charter Sport Fishing at:
(808) 234-9426
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin is a blue water game fish and one of the hardest fighters in the tuna family. Some of the distinctive characteristics are:
- Torpedo-shaped body
- Dark metallic blue back
- Long dorsal fins
- Yellow sides
Yellowfin is a migratory fish commonly found in depths of 250 meters. It can swim over distances during the spawning period.
The best method to catch this species is trolling. If you have more lines in the water, you increase the chance of a successful catch. Some of the lures you can use are ballyhoo fish, small squid, strip baits, and other artificial lures. The tackle will also depend on the size of the fish you target.
When trolling, you can use cedar plugs, plastic rolling plugs, or tuna feathers. The best time to catch Yellowfin is between May and November.
Skipjack
Skipjack is among the smallest fish in the tuna family. It can reach 43 inches in length and weigh up to 75 pounds. Skipjack features:
- A fusiform body without scales
- No scales on the lateral line
- A silver belly and dark-purplish back
- A streamlined body adapted to fast swimming
During the peak season, you can catch larger fish – 16 to 30 pounds. They are great to fish and can be bait for other species.
All skipjack tuna in Hawaiian waters are line-caught. Since they like to roam in the gulf searching for food, you can spot them with ease. The best method to target skipjack is trolling. And because the species can be spooky, you can use lures like ballyhoo and pick feathers.
If you’re targeting the fish for fun, you can use light tackle. But just like other tunas, skipjack lives in open water but is a strong fighter.
Other techniques to tackle tuna include:
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Top-water Tactic
This technique will liven up any fishing trip. It involves casting top-water lures to hungry tunas. And considering that most tuna caught on the surface can weigh over 100 pounds, it will be fun to see the fish burst a few feet into the air.
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Chunking
Anglers pull in 3 to 4 feet line off the reel. It requires practice but is quite effective when tunas are feeding on the top level of the water column.
Tuna are Tough Fighters
Whether you’re fishing for yellowfin or skipjack, the best fishing charter will ensure you have a thrilling chase. These species are arguably the toughest fighters in Hawaiian waters. They will bring lots of fun as they travel at fast speeds. And because they are always ready to bite, the species are attracted to live bait and artificial lures.