Fishing for Tuna Where to Find Tuna and How to Catch More

Want to improve your chances of fishing for tuna in 2025? Learn where tuna is caught, how to find fish fast, and expert tips for reeling in giants like a pro.

Fishing for tuna
“The best time to go fishing is when you can.” – Unknown

There is something electric about chasing tuna. The thrill. The fight. The massive splash when a tuna breaks the surface. If you have ever dreamed of battling a powerful tuna on the open sea, this guide is your new best mate. So if you are planning your first tuna trip or levelling up your offshore game, we have packed this article with everything you need. Where to find tuna, how to spot them, and how to land the big ones.

With tuna stocks shifting due to climate and water temps, knowing where tuna are caught and how to track them is more important than ever. Lets dive in and get your next epic catch on the line.

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Where Is Tuna Caught?

Tuna Hotspots are the Big Three Oceans. If you are casting off the coast of California or trolling off Western Australia, the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans are all teeming with tuna…. if you know where to look of course. These hotspots each have unique conditions and species, making every trip a different kind of adventure.

Tuna aren’t just cruising aimlessly they follow temperature shifts, bait schools, and ocean currents. If you are serious about catching them, you need to understand when and why they move. From warm-water chases to seasonal upwellings.

Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico? Then check out this post.

How to Find Fish Like a Pro

Finding tuna isn’t just about luck it is more about reading the water like a map. Water temperature is key. Most tuna species hang around in warm currents, typically between 65°F and 75°F (18°C–24°C), depending on the species. Keep an eye on major current systems too, like the East Australian Current or the Gulf Stream, tuna love riding the edges where baitfish stack up. Where the food goes, tuna follow.

Speaking of baitfish, they are your biggest clue. Anchovies, sardines, mackerel…. if they are around, tuna won’t be far behind. That iss where nature gives you a helping hand. diving birds, often signal surface bait balls, while dolphins and porpoises can swim alongside schools of tuna. And if you see surface boils water bubbling or splashing out of nowhere you are likely looking at feeding tuna in action.

Technology helps too. Fish finders and sonar are a must if you’re fishing offshore, letting you mark bait balls and track fast-moving schools. More advanced anglers also use satellite charts to pinpoint sea surface temperatures (SST), chlorophyll lines, and temperature breaks which are prime tuna real estate.

And don’t underestimate local knowledge. A good charter captain or deckie can save you hours of aimless trolling. They are dialled into radio chatter, know where the fish were last spotted, and understand seasonal movements in their area. So if you’re fishing off Cairns, Cabo, or California go and get local insight as it is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Catch a Tuna Best Times and Places to Fish

Tuna don’t just show up they follow a pattern. Knowing the seasonal calendar is half the battle. In Australia, expect Bluefin Tuna to show up in Victoria and South Australia between April and July, while Yellowfin and Longtail move along the east coast from late spring to early summer.

Over in California, the action heats up from May through October, especially for Yellowfin tuna, Bluefin, and Dorado.

Japan’s peak season is usually between June and September, while the Canary Islands see solid Bluefin and Bigeye tuna runs between March and June, with summer bringing in more Albacore.

As for this years hotspots, keep your eyes on:

• East Coast Australia: Strong warm currents expected due to changing ocean conditions.
• Southern California and Baja: Already reports of early-season Bluefin.
• Southern Japan: Consistent productivity and improved fisheries data.
• The Canaries: Still underrated and perfect for springtime runs.

But there is a twist—El Niño and warming seas are likely to shake things up. Warmer than average water could shift tuna migrations earlier or push them further offshore. That means fish may show up in different places or stay deeper than usual. Adapting to these changes by watching sea surface temperature maps, checking local fishing reports, and planning based on historical data will be crucial.

Catch a Tuna Close to Shore

The real magic happens when tuna move closer to shore. This usually happens during peak feeding months, when baitfish schools push in tight. This is when land based fishers or small boats can get in on the action, especially during early morning tide changes or temperature breaks near reefs and drop-offs.

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Where to find Tuna

Tuna fishing isn’t just about luck it’s strategy, timing, and a bit of grit. From finding the perfect spot to using the right gear, every detail counts when hunting one of the ocean’s toughest fighters. With the tips in this guide, you are ready to chase giants, dodge the common rookie mistakes, and fish with skill and respect for the sea.

Now grab your gear, watch the birds, and get out there, because the next tuna run won’t wait.

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