Albacore is a member of the mackerel family. It resides worldwide in temperate seas, including the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is most abundant in the Pacific Ocean, where it ranges from Alaska to Mexico. (There are two populations of albacore in the Pacific Ocean-one below the equator and the other above it since albacore avoid the warm waters around the equator.) Albacore is less abundant in the Atlantic Ocean, where it ranges from Nova Scotia to Brazil, although it is rare north of New York and in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Like other tuna, it has a cigar-shaped body but is smaller and slightly thinner, with more bulk in the center. It has wavy dark lines on its back just below the dorsal fins and extending to the tail. There are no stripes or spots on the lower flanks and belly. Adult albacore have long pectoral fins, which reach to beyond the second dorsal fin and anal fin. The first dorsal fin is dark yellow and is composed of sharp spines. The rear dorsal and anal fins are soft rays. Like other tuna, albacore has large eyes and excellent eyesight, and fins that fold back into streamlined depressions, allowing high-speed travel.
Latin name: Thunnus alalunga
Best time to catch: Late May to October
Also known as: Albacore tuna, albie, longfin, longfin tuna, pigfish
Albacore become sexually mature at about 5 years of age, at which point they become more solitary and independent. Albacore spawns from July through October, reportedly offshore in the mid-Pacific and in offshore waters in the southern Atlantic, although the locations aren’t known for sure. Females can release about 1 million eggs, which hatch a few days after spawning. Young albacore usually remain in the same general area for about 2 years. Albacore average about 20 pounds but can grow much larger (around 85 to 90 pounds). Most that are caught by anglers have not reached maturity. Albacore live for at least 10 years.
Two- to 5-year-old Pacific albacore travel in schools about the size of a football field and usually undertake an extensive migration in spring and early summer, ending around late fall to early winter, from Japan and across the Pacific to off the West Coast of the United States. Atlantic Ocean populations migrate along the coast from New York south to Florida.
Albacore eventually spends most of its time in loosely knit schools in deeper, cooler water, although albacore is a temperate-water species and is most often found in waters between 58 and 70°F. A migratory species, albacore travel in tight schools, consisting of several thousand fish, for protection from predators. They feed on squid, small schooling fish, crustaceans, and shrimp from mid-depths to the surface, primarily the latter. They do not have a large mouth, as do striped bass, or razor-sharp teeth, as do bluefish, both of which limit the size of the fish they feed on.
Albacore is considered the world’s fastest migratory fish; due to its streamlined body, it can exceed 50 mph most of the time. Albacore is also the strongest offshore fish pound for pound.
Unlike most fish, albacore does not have a swim bladder, so it always has to be on the move to allow oxygen-rich water to flow through the gills; otherwise, it would sink and drown.
Albacore are fierce fighters when hooked. Anyone who manages to land a large albacore will need to rest after the battle.
Albacore often swim and feed with skipjack, bluefin, and bonito. When attacking, they can be as savage as bluefish but with even more speed. Albacore strike quickly when feeding and leave just as fast, frustrating anglers.
It’s best to charter a boat for this type of fishing; the crew will know the best areas for albacore. (The fish can be almost anywhere close to shore or offshore.) If you plan to venture out on your own, check for possible school locations through word of mouth or at the local tackle shop.
Albacore seldom move inshore; they prefer deep, open, offshore waters, where they can be caught throughout the fishing season. In northern waters they feed until about mid-September, when storms and cold fronts push them out to deeper, warmer water. In southern waters they stay closer to shore until the first week in October, when they leave with the bonito. Atlantic albacore are mostly found off Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montauk Point (Long Island), and the Outer Banks of the Carolinas. Pacific albacore are found from 20 to 100 miles offshore in central and Southern California. They rarely frequent nearshore locations.
The trolling speed of the boat should be no less than 7 knots; the propeller noise attracts fish toward the boat. When they investigate the surface noise, they see the lures and jump on them. Fish with as many lures as possible in the water at one time at various distances apart. The theory is to simulate a school of baitfish.
While drifting, you can chum with chunks of fresh or frozen baitfish, such as cut butter-fish, whiting, smelt, herring, or squid. In most cases, when albacore are feeding on baitfish, they tend to swim in tight schools.
Albacore are primarily surface feeders, and they’re selective. They have good eyesight, so study the water and match the lure or bait to that of the baitfish being chased. Because albacore are considered line shy, use 25-pound-test transparent monofilament or fluorocarbon line for the leader. Any heavier and the fish will see it and not hit the presented bait or lure. Another good method is trolling feathered jigs; use at least a 3-foot length of transparent leader.
When fighting an albacore, face the direction of the fish while reeling it in. This helps keep the line tight and prevents the fish from throwing the hook. Albacore will do anything to release itself from the hook and will put up a fantastic fight until brought on board the boat.
Bait
Natural bait is best-sand eels, spearing, smelt, butterfish, or squid cut to 4-inch lengths. Because albacore (and bonito) do not have a large mouth, they prefer thin-bodied, mouth-sized foods. Any topwater schooling bait, such as small mackerel or squid, is a good bet as well.
Lures
A daisy chain, which comes in different colors. Trolling feather rig for albacore.
Equipment
A good setup is a 7- to 8-foot fast- to extra-fast-action rod with a matching conventional bait-casting reel filled with 30- to 50-pound-test monofilament line.
Use a number 2 to 3/0 hook, depending on the size of the fish you’re after.
If the fish are not feeding directly on the surface, use a sliding egg sinker to get the baited hook or lure down into the main body of the school.
Fly tackle can also be used, but make sure that the flies match the size and color needed to attract these fish.
