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Bigeye Tuna

Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus obesus
TunaSaltwaterUp to 80 lbEdibility: GoodSport FishLong Range

Oceans & Range: All tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. In the Pacific, found from the Hawaiian Islands east to the Americas, ranging from Southern California to Chile. In the Atlantic, caught from New England to Brazil including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. A deep-water species most commonly caught by offshore long-range party boats and private sportfishers targeting 200–500 foot depths.

Preferred Water Temperature: 65°F–75°F at the surface. Bigeye dive to extreme depths (1,000+ feet) during the day to feed in cold, oxygen-minimum zones, making surface temperature less predictive than for other tunas.

Size & Weight: Typical sport catch is 30–100 lbs. Trophy Bigeye regularly exceed 200 lbs. World record: 435 lbs from off Peru. Pacific fish average 50–150 lbs; Atlantic fish run similar sizes with more very large individuals.

Best Lures: Large skirted trolling lures (10–16 inch) in dark colors — purple-black, green-black — produce well for trolling. Large deep-diving crankbaits trolled on downriggers reach deeper fish. Rigged ballyhoo trolled at 7–9 knots produces consistent strikes. Large surface iron jigs (Tady 45, Salas 6X Jr.) cast into schools catch fish when topwater activity occurs at dawn. High-speed lures at 9–12 knots work on scattered fish.

Best Baits: Rigged whole squid, either trolled or slow-trolled, are highly effective. Large live skipjack and small Yellowfin Tuna are top natural baits for trophy fish. Whole mackerel rigged for slow trolling produce large fish. Deep-dropping chunk baits of squid and mackerel on daytime drops catches fish near their deep holding depths. Live bonito are excellent bait at night when Bigeye are more surface-oriented.

Range

All tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. In the Pacific, found from the Hawaiian Islands east to the Americas, ranging from Southern California to Chile. In the Atlantic, caught from New England to Brazil including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. A deep-water species most commonly caught by offshore long-range party boats and private sportfishers targeting 200–500 foot depths.

Habitat

Bigeye tuna inhabit deep tropical and subtropical oceanic waters, typically found at depths between 300 and 1,600 feet during daylight hours, making them one of the deepest-dwelling tuna species. Unlike other tunas that remain near the surface, bigeye possess large eyes adapted for low-light conditions and regularly dive to extreme depths in pursuit of squid and deep-dwelling fish. They prefer water temperatures between 55°F and 75°F and are often associated with seamounts, underwater ridges, and continental shelf edges where upwelling brings nutrient-rich water. At night, bigeye move into shallower waters, sometimes rising to within 150 feet of the surface to feed. Juveniles tend to remain in warmer surface waters above 70°F, while adults tolerate cooler temperatures at depth. They are highly migratory pelagic fish, following warm ocean currents and concentrating around temperature breaks, current edges, and areas with abundant baitfish schools. Bigeye often school with yellowfin tuna but generally occupy deeper water columns within the same general area.

How to Catch Bigeye Tuna

Equipment

65°F–75°F at the surface. Bigeye dive to extreme depths (1,000+ feet) during the day to feed in cold, oxygen-minimum zones, making surface temperature less predictive than for other tunas.

Tackle & Bait

Best Lures:
Large skirted trolling lures (10–16 inch) in dark colors — purple-black, green-black — produce well for trolling. Large deep-diving crankbaits trolled on downriggers reach deeper fish. Rigged ballyhoo trolled at 7–9 knots produces consistent strikes. Large surface iron jigs (Tady 45, Salas 6X Jr.) cast into schools catch fish when topwater activity occurs at dawn. High-speed lures at 9–12 knots work on scattered fish.

Best Baits:
Rigged whole squid, either trolled or slow-trolled, are highly effective. Large live skipjack and small Yellowfin Tuna are top natural baits for trophy fish. Whole mackerel rigged for slow trolling produce large fish. Deep-dropping chunk baits of squid and mackerel on daytime drops catches fish near their deep holding depths. Live bonito are excellent bait at night when Bigeye are more surface-oriented.

Game Qualities

Typical sport catch is 30–100 lbs. Trophy Bigeye regularly exceed 200 lbs. World record: 435 lbs from off Peru. Pacific fish average 50–150 lbs; Atlantic fish run similar sizes with more very large individuals.

Taxonomy

kingdomAnimalia
phylumChordata
classActinopterygii
orderPerciformes
familyScombridae
genusThunnus
speciesThunnus obesus
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