| Fishing for tuna can be a challenging, yet rewarding | | | | even been spotted as far north as the central |
| adventure. Tunas are very fast swimmers - some | | | | Alaskan coast and as far south as tropical Mexico. |
| have been clocked moving as fast as 48 miles per | | | | During the rest of the year, they migrate to Japan |
| hour. In addition, there are several species of tuna | | | | and then return to California. |
| that are warm-blooded. | | | | Albacore generally prefer deep waters and sea |
| Unlike most fish species, which have white flesh, the | | | | temperatures that are above 58 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| flesh of the tuna is pink to dark red. This is because | | | | As far as bait is concerned, Albacore typically feed |
| tuna muscle tissue contains greater quantities of | | | | mainly on small fish (such as anchovies and sardines). |
| myoglobin, an oxygen-binding molecule. Tuna has | | | | However, squid and small shrimp also make up |
| become a popular fish to eat, particularly in canned | | | | important parts of their diet. Also, Albacore will often |
| form. Most of the canned light tuna is skipjack tuna | | | | usually feed on what is available at the time. |
| and is relatively inexpensive. | | | | During a good year, Albacore can be found within |
| Fishing for tuna has long been a popular recreational | | | | five to ten miles of the west coast - meaning that |
| activity. In the 1930s and the 1940s, bluefin tuna | | | | fishermen will not have far to go to have a shot at |
| were abundant in the waters off the Florida coast | | | | landing some of this type of tuna. |
| and were sought by the likes of Ernest Hemingway. | | | | However, during off years, Albacore can be over 100 |
| However, despite the popularity of the growing | | | | miles offshore. One way for fishermen to get an |
| sport, the boats of that day were not properly | | | | advantage on the Albacore is to study the sea |
| equipped to fight the fish. In recent decades, the | | | | surface temperature maps for warm/colder water |
| arrival of more custom built vessels has given new | | | | gradients. This because Albacore follow the warm |
| life to the sport of tuna fishing. Fishing for tuna | | | | currents along the California coast. |
| largely depends on what specific type of tuna is | | | | Also, anglers should try to troll the warm side with |
| being sought. | | | | feather jigs and plugs. When one of the trolling rigs |
| Albacore Tuna inhabit the western coast of the | | | | gets hit, that is the time to circle around the school |
| United States on a seasonal basis, specifically | | | | and cast live sardines or anchovies. Many times, |
| between the middle of June and the end of October. | | | | chumming with live bait can entice the school of |
| Their normal range typically spans from Baja, | | | | Albacore to the surface. |
| California all the way up to Oregon. Albacore have | | | | |