It is early nearly Spring which is the best time to catch Yellowfin tuna in South Florida. The season begins in April and runs through August. Yellowfin tunas are fast swimmers and fierce fighters! Atlantic yellowfin tuna is a delicious fish and a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Yellowfin Tuna are sometimes confused with Yellowtail due to the yellow-tinge both display on their forked tails. Yellowtails are actually Jacks (related to the Amberjack family discussed in our previous post) whereas Yellowfins are a true Tuna species.
Yellowfin Tuna Appearance:
- Yellowfin tuna are torpedo-shaped.
- They are metallic dark blue on the back and upper sides, and change from yellow to silver on the belly.
- True to their name, their dorsal and anal fins and finlets are bright yellow.
- Yellowfin tuna can be distinguished from other tunas by their long, bright yellow dorsal fin and a yellow strip down the side. They are also more slender than bluefin tuna.
Yellowfin Tuna Behavior and Diet:
- Yellowfin tuna grow fairly fast, up to 400 pounds, and have a somewhat short life span of about 7 years.
- Most yellowfin tuna are able to reproduce when they reach age 2 or 3.
- Females spawn about once every 3 days during the spawning season. They produce an average of 1 million to 4 million eggs each time they spawn.
- Yellowfin tuna feed near the top of the food chain on fish, squid, and crustaceans.
- They are prey for top predators such as sharks and large fish.
Are you considering a deep sea fishing experience in South Florida? Skip the crowded tourist boats and book a private fishing charter with Free Spool Sport Fishing. Give us a call at 305-582-5445 for more information.