Saltwater · Summer and fall in California and the Gulf; year-round in Hawaii
Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
The little tuna with the striped belly — aku in Hawaii. Skipjack boil at the surface in huge schools, hit fast-trolled feathers, and make fine sport on light tackle.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Bold horizontal dark stripes across the lower belly — the instant giveaway
- Compact, tuna-shaped body with a dark blue back and silvery sides
- Bare skin between the rear fins except for a small scaled 'corselet' behind the head
- Usually 3-15 lb — the smallest of the common tunas
- Look-alike: young yellowfin lack belly stripes and have longer rear fins
Habits
- Travels in huge, fast schools that drive bait to the surface in foaming boils
- Feeds on anchovies, sardines and krill, often under working bird flocks
- In Hawaii ('aku') they gather at FADs and around porpoise schools
- A hard, fast fighter and a key bait fish — whole oceans feed on them
Distribution
Where to find them
- Bird schools and surface boils over offshore banks
- FADs and weather buoys in Hawaii
- The tuna grounds off San Diego and Baja in warm-water summers
- Gulf Stream edges and shrimp-boat chum lines in the Gulf
Where they live
How to catch them
Trolling feathers
Rig: 20-30 lb trolling outfit, small lures at 6-8 knots
Bait/lure: Tuna feathers and clones in green/yellow and blue/white
Key tip: Keep the boat moving after the first strike — doubles and triples are common.
Chumming live bait at FADs
Rig: 20 lb spinning outfit, small circle hook
Bait/lure: Live anchovies or sardines
Key tip: Toss a few free baits, wait for the boil, then cast into it.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 6'6"-7' trolling or spinning rod, 20-30 lb class
- Line: 30 lb braid or 25 lb mono
- Terminal: Small feathers, chrome jigs, 40 lb fluorocarbon leader
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 3-15 lb; large specimens 25 lb and up
On the table
Strong-flavoured, dark red flesh — the classic canned 'light tuna'; best very fresh, seared or dried (Hawaiian aku).
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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