Catching Tuna in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is home to multiple species of tuna including Skipjack, Blackfin, Yellowfin, and False Albacore.
Tuna are one of few species of fish that can maintain a body temperature higher than surrounding waters they are in.
Overfishing of many species of tuna have been of concern and hence can be heavily regulated.
Blackfin are here year around and make great sushi.
Yellowfin are caught here to but not as abundant.
Marlin are the main predator of small tuna. Be prepared to catch the The Man in the Blue Suit if we are trolling.
Yellowfin tuna grow fairly fast, up to 400 pounds, and live to about 7 years.
Most Tuna are able to reproduce when they reach age 2 or 3.
Juvenile Yellowfin tuna often travel in schools with Skipjack and small Bigeye tuna.
When and Where to Target Tuna in Puerto Rico
Depending on which tuna species, there are always Tuna to catch off the West coast of Puerto Rico. Spring and Fall are often the best times to catch Yellowfin Tuna. Blackfin tend to be here year around and are generally pretty predictable. On a average fishing trip you can expet to see a school of tuna at some point feeding on the surface. A lot of commercial fishing boats target Yellowfin out of Aguadilla and headnorthwest out the Point. Here, live bait drifted over 300-500 foot near the point often get bit. On the North coast DNRA has placed several FADS along the coast which hold great numbers of palegics, including good numbers of Tuna.
A great pair of Binoculars can really pay dividends when Tuna fishing the deep waters around the Mona and Puerto Rican Trenches. Find the Frigates and you often find Tuna !
Tuna Tactics in Puerto Rico
Simply Caught targets off-shore humps and ridges when fishing for most species of Tuna. That said, anywhere here is bait there is a good chance Tuna are near. A good pair of binoculars is key to finding these fish and finding Frigates birds can turn a bad day into a good day real quick. Many tuna are finicky on time of day. First thing in the morning can be red hot then generally there is a 8:30 tuna bite too. Live bait is king with many species of Tuna. However, many Blackfin and Skipjack are easy to alure with small ballyhoo, squid imitations and plugs. If Yellowfin are the Target, trolling small sea-witches way, way, way back can entice finicky Yellowfin to eat. Year after year huge yellowfin are often caught on marlin plugs and skirted bullet lures fished out of the shotgun position.
