Bluefin Tuna
When the water cools, the southern bluefin arrive. These powerful, deep-bodied tuna are among the hardest-fighting fish in the ocean and the ultimate cool-season prize off the NSW coast, brutal on the tackle and second to none on the plate.
About the bluefin tuna
Deep-bodied, thick-shouldered and built like a torpedo, the southern bluefin tuna is a true heavyweight, a metallic blue-black back over a silver belly, short pectoral fins and a body packed with muscle. They are cold-water hunters that move up from the south in the cooler months, and when one loads up the reel it delivers a long, deep, grinding fight that pushes angler and gear to the limit.
Bluefin run best from May to September and are found along the NSW south coast when the currents are right. As a regulated species they come with strict rules, so we always fish to the current NSW DPI regulations. For the angler who wants a genuine heavyweight and superb, rich sashimi, the bluefin is the one.
Bluefin Tuna at a glance
| Name | Bluefin Tuna |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Southern Bluefin Tuna |
| Scientific name | Thunnus maccoyii |
| Best season in NSW | May–Sep |
| Habitat | Offshore |
| Where found in NSW | South coast NSW |
| Size and bag limits | Regulated species |
| Average size | 50–150kg |
| Max size | 200kg+ |
| Fishing method | Trolling |
| Best bait / lure | Live bait |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Eating quality | Excellent |
| Taste | Rich fatty |
| Recipe ideas | Sashimi |
Trolling the cool water
Bluefin are a cool-season fish, and getting one to the boat is a genuine test of angler and tackle.
The proven methods
Bluefin are targeted by trolling skirted lures and swimming baits along the current lines and temperature breaks, and by dropping live baits when the fish are holding. Hook a good one and settle in, these are deep, dogged fighters that do not give up easily. We run heavy game gear built for the job, and the crew works the spread and the long fight from strike to gaff.
How Wahoo puts you on them
Bluefin move with the cold water and the bait, so timing and reading the ocean are everything. George Aslanian has decades of experience chasing tuna off the coast, and he knows when and where the bluefin run through the cooler months. We put you on the fish, coach you through one of the toughest fights in fishing, and help you look after a catch that eats as well as any tuna going. Ready to go? Book a Sydney game fishing charter.
Other Game & offshore fish
Black Marlin
Black marlin (Istiompax indica): Sydney's summer game-fishing prize, chased offshore on the troll and tagged and released. Season, size, methods, plus how to catch them.
Blue Marlin
Blue marlin (Makaira nigricans): the heavyweight billfish of the NSW offshore grounds, a bucket-list capture on the blue water. Season, size, methods, plus how to catch them.
Mahi Mahi
Mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), also called dolphinfish: dazzling, acrobatic and fast-growing, a summer favourite off Sydney. Season, size, methods and eating quality.
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares): a blue-water bruiser off Sydney with rich, meaty flesh. Season, size, methods and eating quality, plus how to catch them.
Ready to chase a bluefin?
Tell us your dates and crew and we will chase Sydney's cool-season bluefin tuna, all gear supplied, to the current regulations. Browse the full species guide, or head offshore on our game and deep sea charters.