32 FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST 



to return in spring and summer to contribute to the 

 admirable food fishes of the region. 



LONG-FIN TUNA 

 (Thunnus alalunga) 



The long-fin tuna appears in Southern California 

 in early spring and, in mild seasons, remains the year 

 round. It is as thick-set a fish as can be found, and 

 while they have been seen as heavy as one hundred 

 pounds, the average weight is thirty pounds. It is a 

 deep-water fish, that is, is found offshore about two 

 miles, but is caught at or near the surface, taking a 

 bone, jig or sardine bait. By drifting and chumming, 

 this tuna can be lured to the surface, where it will bite 

 as fast as the bait is tossed over. I have placed a sar- 

 dine on the end of a gaff and lifted in a thirty-pound 

 albacore (as it is also called), and, I think, under some 

 circumstances they would almost take bait from my 

 hand. The Tuna Club recommends a nine-ounce rod 

 and a nine-thread line for them, six hundred feet of 

 the latter being used with a long wire leader and a 

 number seven hook. These fishes have an extraor- 

 dinary long side fin, and are very active in their mo- 

 tions. They run in well-distributed schools, covering 

 large areas. They prey upon sardines, smelt and all 

 small fry, and their greatest value is in angling, the 

 fish making a wonderfully game play with the rod, it 

 often requiring half an hour to land one. 



TAKING A LONG-FIN TUNA 



This tuna rarely, if ever, comes in near shore. In 

 California it is never taken off beaches ; it is essentially 

 a deep-water fish, keeping to the main channels and 



