Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)

Yellowfin tuna are the second largest in the tuna family. These palegic creatures travel in large schools in the tropics and sub-tropics. These magnificent fish were once primarly caught as food fish. Now they are equally known as a sportfishing species. The World record for Yellowfin tuna is a whopping 388 pounds.

Like all of the tunas, juvenile Ahi are a common food source for Marlins and Mahi Mahi. The yellowfin tuna themselves feed primarly on squid and other smaller fish.

Yellowfin (Ahi) are caught on sportfishing boats in Hawaii by trolling and on bait. The size range of yellwofin tuna that are caught is exteme, anywhere from one pound to over two hundred pounds.

In Hawaii the Yellowfin tuna is called Ahi. In the Hawaiian language, the term ahi means fire. The Hawaiians gave the name "Ahi" to this fish because when they hooked an Ahi on their handlines the line would start smoking on the edge of the canoe while the fish was on the run.

Off the North Shore of Oahu we, have been catching these tunas year round. We have been landing Ahi in the 20 to 50 pound range all year. During the three summer months in Hawaii, the large Ahi show up. These beasts run in the 100 to 250 pound range. Whatever their size Ahi (Yellowfin tuna) is the toughest sport fish around.