In the coastal cities and towns of southern Italy, there are as many boats as there are cars. When two men meet in a trattoria for a glass of wine, fishing is one of the main topics of their conversation. True, this conversation is little understood by the uninitiated. I heard a Frenchman, the owner of a yacht in the port of Marina Grande in Capri, say to the local boat captain: “If it weren’t for my wife, who was itching to sail to the festival in Sanremo, I would have been chasing this swordfish for at least a week” .
However, one should not think that the waters of the open sea are teeming with large fish. No. Italian anglers prefer to catch small fish near the coast, rather than spend time exploring long distances from the coast with no hope of a catch. And yet, the search for strong emotions associated with hunting large predators attracts many enthusiasts to trolling and drifting - the main types of fishing on the high seas. Wealthy people usually have personal boats equipped with powerful motors, automatic navigation system and 3D sonar, which is essential for successful fishing, which shows on the display the topography of the seabed, the movement of schools and even individual fish. At the same time, with good fishing equipment, you can catch not some horse mackerel there, but much larger fish - a herring shark or hammerhead fish, for example. But we will dwell in more detail on the description of the most real object of fishing on the high seas - so, tuna and how to catch it.
A few years ago, my Italian friends and I were sailing on their yacht along the coast of Sicily. The artificial “fish”, which I lowered on the line behind the stern, jumped beautifully on small waves, but for several hours it did not seduce anyone. The Italians, glancing at my by no means marine spinning, equipped with a Neva reel, laughed that I was catching such prehistoric gear. I also had a pair of multi-colored artificial "octopuses" imitating small octopuses - I managed to buy them in the port fishing shop. However, when I changed the fish to the octopus, the result did not improve. Then there was a night crossing to Sardinia. Of course, I wound the spinning so that the line would not get tangled on the tacks of the yacht. Captain Mario woke me up at night.
Alex,” he croaked excitedly in a smoky voice, “where are your tackles? Give them here. A fish.
The sails were barely moved by the wind. Two deck lamps were on. I rubbed my eyes and peered into the darkness beyond. In the black transparent water, like ghosts, shimmering silvery and scoured from side to side fluttering "spindles" of fish bodies. There were a lot of them, and they walked in close formation, obviously, they were driving a school of some small fish.
I frantically unrolled the line and, dangling over the railing, threw the octopus forward along the side, closer to the bow of the yacht. I wind the coil - and suddenly a blow! There was a big fish on the line. She rests, rushes about, tries to go to the depths. The carbon fiber spinning is quite durable and the fishing line is 0.50 mm. I hold the fish and feel how it gives way, goes to me. There is no time to mess around, and I drag recklessly. Captain Mario, with shaking hands in excitement, tenaciously grabs a fish slightly raised to the side.
Tuno! - he exclaims joyfully, moving away from the edge of the yacht with a fluttering tuna pressed to his chest.
Slightly stunning the fish with his fist, he deftly removes the hook from her mouth and hands me the released Octopus.
Come on, come on, hurry up! - The captain's movements are impatient.
As soon as the bait touched the water - again a jerk, and spinning in an arc. And suddenly straightens sharply. The fish got off.
The captain clutches his head in despair, comically wrinkling his unshaven face. But I quickly throw the tackle - and now, after a short struggle, the second tuna is already on the deck. Behind him is the third ... Then the bite, as if on cue, breaks off. How much and where I just do not throw - no effect. The captain turns the searchlight, the beam illuminates the calm sea in stripes. All around is calm. The fish are not visible.
Basta, the jamb has passed, - says señor Mario. - Go to bed.
In the morning, smelling the aroma of fried fish coming from the galley, I wake up. Seeing me, my friends exclaim with joy, greeting the lucky fisherman, and invite me to a smartly served table, in the center of which lies a five-kilogram tuna decorated with greenery on a dish.
That's how I first came across this worthy fish. Then, during my travels around the world, I caught tuna more than once, and sometimes much larger ones, and I used the most modern tackle. In general, these fish can reach a huge size. Individuals over 4.5 m and weighing more than 600 kg are known.
Tuna is a schooling pelagic fish. Distributed in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the North it enters the Barents Sea. In spring it approaches the coastal zone. Spawning - almost all summer. Pelagic caviar 1-1.15 mm in diameter. After spawning, tuna make long-distance migrations in search of food. The main object of food is small flocking fish (sardines, saury, sprats, etc.), but does not disdain crustaceans (shrimps, amphipods) and cephalopods (squid, octopus).
Here is a list of records approved by the International Recreational Fishing Association (IGFA) and included in the Guinness Book of Records (as of January 2000).
According to the Egyptian Fishing Federation - Egyptian Angling Federation (EAF), the largest tuna - 44.2 kg was taken in February 1991. trolling on artificial bait.
The guests of the "Fishing Caravan" company catch various types of tunas (bonito, yellowfin, blue, etc.) in the Red Sea, a lot, of different sizes, but every time with great pleasure. The fish is very sporty and makes even the most experienced anglers nervous.
Fishing with natural baits is sometimes more effective. This is due to various factors, one of which is the excessive transparency of the water. As bait for catching tuna by trolling and drifting, squid, small octopus, mackerel or horse mackerel are used; their size is chosen according to the expected size of the object of fishing. It is important that the nozzle stays firmly on the hook when towing.
For this purpose, the abdomen of the fish is cut open and the insides are taken out. The hook is inserted into the back from the inside, and the sting is brought out near the head. A 20-30 cm leash attached to the hook is taken out through the mouth and attached to the fishing line by means of a carabiner and a swivel; the belly of the fish is sewn up with harsh threads. The sinker must be fixed a meter from the hook. If you are fishing in the sea, where giant fish are found in abundance, it is better to use a steel leader.
A very good nozzle for trolling predatory fish, including tuna fish, is a strip of meat cut from the bottom of the carcass of small mackerel fish. Cutting starts from the lower articulation of the gills, first cutting off the cartilaginous thread, and ends a few centimeters further behind the anal fin.
This procedure requires a very sharp knife. The optimal size of the strip is 30-40 cm. It is more convenient to separate the belly when the fish lies on its side. The cut out part is freed from the insides and excess meat beyond the anus. Then, with a hook No. 10-11/0, tied to a nylon leash 120-150 cm long, a strip of peritoneum near the anal fin is pierced and a so-called filling is made, consisting of several sleeves.
The first clutch is located near the eye of the hook, the second and third at a distance of about 6 and 12 cm from it. Long clutches do not allow the bait to slip and fall to the hook itself. Then the edges of the abdomen are securely sewn up to the level of the hook (or slightly short of it) using a thick needle and waxed strong threads. At the end of the abdomen, an incision can be made up to the anal fin, so that the mobility of the edges during the wiring process will better attract fish. Sometimes, to make the bait more attractive and at the same time protect its front part, a multi-colored octopus lure is attached to it.
Rods are mounted in sockets or holders along the sides of the boat or (if there is one) on the center post. The equipment is bled at a distance of 30 - 100 m from the stern, and the fishing line is inserted into the slot of special clips - outriggers, which are able to freely release it when biting. The pressure of the fishing line contributes to a more stable play of the nozzle.
When playing relatively small tuna, they use voluminous sea landing nets, and if a giant has already landed on the hook, prepare hooks and harpoons attached to a long shaft.
Ninety out of one hundred percent of the time, heat-loving pelagic predators, which include tuna, spend near the surface or in the upper layers of the water of the seas and oceans. Therefore, the technique of trolling fishing without diving or with a small dive of the nozzle is the most common all over the world. In order to fish deeper, you need to have a solid experience in the technique of immersing lures. The most suitable baits for towing in the upper layers of the water are small "fish" (made from various polymers), or spinners. Usually their size is from 14 to 18 cm (smaller spinners at a recommended towing speed of 6 to 7 knots per hour do not play well when reaching the surface due to their low weight and low drag). All predators react indiscriminately to these baits; the game of lures, similar to the movements of a wounded fish, is visible even at a considerable distance.
Artificial saltwater lures commercially available for trolling or casting are often equipped with tees. But it’s more correct to put doubles instead of them - then the game will noticeably improve. You can supply such hooks and spinners of large (from 20 to 27 cm) sizes. They will also be more attractive.
One of the classic towing lures is the artificial octopus. There are many models of "octopuses". Their shape and dimensions - from 9 to 18 cm - provide high-quality wiring. Coloring of a bait - for every taste. The design feature of the “octopus” head is that, if necessary, it can be weighted with lead. This allows you to adjust the game and dive of the bait, as well as to make diving movements at the start. Lead is attached like this; the pin is pushed into the hole of the weight. At the same time, the fishing hook is removed for a while, and then tied in such a way as to hide the bait among the tentacles. To give the necessary game, you can install additional weights on the hairpin or wrap a streamlined swab.
Andrey Bazhenov
Written articles and responses
- Is it difficult to fish in the open sea?
This question often worries yachtsmen who go on long trips in the Atlantic or the Mediterranean. Someone tries to catch sea fish with river gear and is disappointed with the result. Someone has never tried fishing, really wants to start and doesn't know how...
We fish at almost every crossing in the ocean. Tunas, dolphins, swordfish - quite regularly visit our galley and keep our crews in a good and well-fed condition. The crackling of the reel - and the sleepy subwatch instantly flies into the cockpit in only shorts, challenging the place at the rod: only those who have seen a ten-kilogram coryphaen flying up like a candle two meters from the water will understand this feeling of fishing passion!
In fact, catching enough fish on the high seas to feed a team of 3-4 people is not difficult at all. I'll take the liberty of giving some advice.
1. Get the book "Cruiser's handbook of fishing". This is a comprehensive guide to the methods of fishing from a yacht, which includes not only a description of fishing methods, baits and a variety of tackle, but also information on the correct cutting and preparation of the catch. Kindle edition costs about $10 - the cost of one inexpensive bait.
2. Buy a good 30 or 50 pound reel for trolling fishing. You will need a special saltwater reel, preferably with a lever lock. The device is quite expensive, so do not forget to take care of it: desalinate it regularly and carry out the necessary maintenance once a year. A good 30lb reel (Okuma, Shimano, Penn) costs between 200 and 500 euros. You should not take huge reels for catching swordfish under a 100-pound fishing line: anyway, you simply won’t be able to lift trophies of this size on a yacht.
3. Load your reel with good line- I recommend Penn monofilament, 40-50 pounds. I use a 30lb spool with 50lb line, if you are using thinner line then don't neglect the special knots to reinforce the last 3-5m of line, like a bimini twist. You can use a "braid", but it absorbs the impact worse at the moment of bite
4. Rod - an ordinary inexpensive rod under the fishing line 30-40 pounds, can be collapsible in two parts. Do not chase expensive branded rods with rollers instead of rings - catching big fish from a sailing yacht is inconvenient, and absolutely unnecessary. Focus on trophies weighing up to 15 kg.
5. All baits you use must have their own leash., which is connected to the line with quality carabiners and rings with a minimum breaking strength of 100 kg (200 lbs). The leash can be made of fishing line with a gap of 50 kg or more, for catching tuna and dolphins it is best to have a leash made of fishing line, if you expect an attack by "critters" (wahoo, barracuda) - put a steel leash.
6. For a beginner, the easiest way is to purchase ready-made baits, immediately equipped with a hook and a leash, for example, Williamson. It is best to have several baits in your arsenal, of different depth and character. As a basic set, I recommend having three plastic squids, in different color combinations, 10-15 cm long. The best and most popular combination that mimics a wounded fish is red and white. Black and red squids work well in agitated water. Black-purple, blue-white baits also work well. If the bait does not arouse interest in the fish - change it to a different color, and continue changing the bait in a circle every 2 hours until someone bites.
You can also add one or two marine wobblers to the squids, I especially recommend Rapala Shad-rap and X-rap. The hooks on these wobblers are really not very high quality and quickly rust. Wobblers work well at low speeds (less than 5 knots), squids at speeds of 4+ knots.
7. DO NOT OVERPRESSURE THE STOPPER! The stopper on the reel should be adjusted so that the line comes out calmly, but with a small load - no more than 25% of the breaking strength of the line. A crushed stopper is the cause of most fish coming off when biting, as well as loss of bait. Let the fish calmly choke your squid and joyfully fly away into the expanses of the sea, ringing a ratchet and calling the fishermen to battle. Tie the rod properly to the rail behind the eye in the reel- use a thin spectrum for this purpose, at least 500-800 kg per tear. For attaching a fishing rod, it is most convenient to use a regular "glass", with a mount on the railing.
8. The most exciting part of sea fishing- it's survival. When playing: if the wind is light, remove the sails and turn the yacht into the wind. If the wind is strong, the fish are big, and there is not much line on the reel, turn on the motor and carefully hold the yacht in place against the wind. Don't let the fish go under the yacht - the fishing line on the screw is not fun at all :) !
After stopping the yacht, close the stopper a little - but not too much! - and start fighting by lifting the rod up, sharply lowering it down and picking up the slack in the line. Don't try to pull a big fish with the reel, you'll have to tighten the stopper too much and if it breaks it will come off immediately. Work with a fishing rod, gradually exhausting and pulling the fish to the yacht.
If the fish begins to make "candles", fight and try to escape - release the stopper a little, let it swim, and then start playing again. Time is on your side - the main thing is not to let the fish rest: if necessary, change on the line.
9. Get a folding hook! The gaff is an absolutely essential device if you are going to catch fish weighing more than 1-2 kg. When you bag a fish, try to hit it in the center line area, just behind the gills. This is almost guaranteed to kill her, and make it easier to lift prey into the cockpit.
10. To calm the caught fish(and a dory weighing 10-15 kg can give you a real life-and-death fight) I use a towel, a hammer and a thin screwdriver or knife. A towel thrown over the fish's head disorients the enemy, a hammer stuns, and a well-balanced blow with a screwdriver at the junction of the spine and skull on the fish's head immediately kills it, hitting it exactly in the brain. There are those who like to put the fish to sleep by pouring vodka or other strong drinks into its gills, but in my opinion this is just a translation of the product. Crimson, pull, stun and finish. Do not torment the fish, do not leave them to beat long and painfully in the cockpit, splashing blood and mucus all over the deck. One hit to the brain and you're done. It is better for weak-nervous and sensitive natures to retire: a large amount of blood flows out of tuna and dolphins.
12. Fish bite best at sunrise and sunset. However, bites are possible at any time of the day or night. I usually take the line out at night: at night you are more likely to catch fearful snake mackerel, or something serious like swordfish or marlin. We fish for food, we don't need monsters and 200 kg trophies - so the bait goes into the water with the morning twilight and rises as soon as the sky completely darkens.
13. Where to fish and when? In the Mediterranean - almost the entire season, but there are few chances to catch something while the water temperature is less than 15 degrees. In the Atlantic - postpone fishing for tuna until the water warms up to the same 15 degrees, however, in northern waters, a small tuna squid or wobbler can be quite successful in catching mackerel. Cod, catfish and other northern fish are not caught on the track, and we don’t even think about this fishing at the crossing.
14. Don't be greedy! If you put a squid from 15 cm in size - wait for the visit of big fish. It is quite possible to catch a tuna weighing 50 kg, but to pull it out is much more difficult. And there is no need to talk about eating such a fish ourselves.
15. If a shark bites, cut the leash. Really. A small mako shark can give you such a Texas chainsaw massacre in the cockpit that you will not be able to see the rods without shuddering for a long time. Luckily, the shark usually just bites through the line leashes.
16. Penultimate tip: when frying fresh tuna or dolphin, remember that fish continues to cook for several minutes after you remove it from the grill or pan. Don't overcook the fish! Fry a not too thick tuna fillet on each side for no more than 1 minute, remove from heat and serve immediately. Slightly pinkish in the center of a piece of fillet - that's quite an achievable ideal. Freshly caught tuna, properly bled and butchered, marinated for 20-30 minutes in your favorite marinade and lightly pan-fried or grilled... Nothing could be tastier!
17. What to do if you have 10 kg of tuna in the refrigerator, and the team can no longer see the fish? Wither the catch! Salt small strips of tuna together with the skin in a weak spicy brine for 6-12 hours, dry and string. Hang a string under a spray hood or bimini and in 2-3 days you will be rewarded with a wonderful light snack that can be eaten with light white wine or beer. Do not over-salt: there are no flies and other insects in the ocean, and even practically unsalted fish will dry quickly and efficiently.
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Bluefin tuna is one of the largest and fastest fish in the world. The torpedo shape and streamlined body allow it to develop good speed.
Coloration - metallic blue on top and shimmery silver underneath are good camouflage. Huge sizes (up to 2 meters in length and 250 kg of weight) are the result of an insatiable appetite and a varied diet of this fish.
Unfortunately, the delicious meat of the bluefin tuna has resulted in overfishing and the population has declined to critical levels. Bluefin tuna are warm-blooded (a rare trait among fish). This quality allows him to feel good both in the cold waters of Newfoundland and Spain, and in the tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea, where he goes to spawn every year.
Bluefin tuna feeds on smaller fish, as well as crustaceans, squid and eels. Does not disdain sometimes zooplankton and even algae. The largest tuna was caught in Scotland and weighed 670 kilograms. Bluefin tuna has been eaten by humans for centuries. However, in the 1970s, the demand and prices for the meat of this fish increased throughout the world and its uncontrolled catch began. As a result, the stocks of this fish have decreased significantly, and the population is on the verge of extinction.
Demand for tuna in the US and EU countries continues to fall, despite the fact that in 2012 the demand for non-canned fish in the US was even higher than before. In Japan, consumption of raw tuna has continued to fall in recent years, according to government reports.
Offer and prices
Purse-seed tuna catches in the western and central Pacific continued to increase during October 2012. The result was an increase in the supply of raw fish and a decrease in prices. The price for skipjack tuna in November decreased to 2.05 thousand US dollars per ton under the terms of CFR delivery (including the cost of freight) in the port of Bangkok.
Continuing October's trends, catches in the tropical East Pacific showed a positive trend compared to previous years, allowing for a continuous supply of raw fish to Ecuador's canneries. At the same time, the cost of skipper tuna in Ecuador when sold from a ship remained unchanged at $2.4 thousand per ton.
In the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean, fishing proved unsuccessful after a good start in early October. Initial positive results helped push prices for skipjack tuna to €1.76k/t and yellowfin tuna to €2.45k/t when loaded onto a customer ship (FOB) in Seychelles port.
Purse fishing in the Atlantic Ocean showed an increase, which resulted in a decrease in prices for skipjack tuna to 1.68 thousand euros per ton when sold from a vessel in the port of Abidjan. Prices for batches of yellowfins from 10 kg and more also fell slightly - to 2.52 thousand euros per ton when sold from a vessel in the port of Abidjan.
With the beginning of autumn, the sashimi market in Japan has begun to improve. Since mid-October 2012, sales have increased both in and out of the Tsukizi fish auction market.
Direct sales of cheaper imported tuna increased outside of the auction, with supermarkets and fish shops the main buyers. In this market segment, relatively inexpensive Mexican bluefin tuna (2.95 thousand Japanese yen per kilogram) was in good demand.
From January to June 2012, the supply of fresh skipjack tuna in Japan decreased by 20% compared to the same period in 2011. As a result of insufficient supplies, the price of fish remained relatively high at 550-600 yen per kilogram in the Tsukizi market, more than 100 yen higher than last year.
From June 2011 to June 2012, bluefin and skipjack tuna consumption in Japan fell by 12% and 11%, respectively. According to another report, the number of sushi restaurants in the country, including traditional sushi bars, decreased by 10% between 2006 and 2011. At the same time, despite a decrease in overall consumption of tuna, imports of this fish to Japan (both fresh and frozen) in the first half of 2012 were high compared to 2011.
USA
The fresh tuna market in the United States is on a recovery trend, reflected in imports of canned tuna and tuna products. Despite the fact that the main supply on the market consisted of cheaper yellowfin, imports of more expensive and quality fish - bluefin tuna and bulleye - also increased compared to the same period in 2011.
Imports of frozen tuna fillets and fish steaks also increased by 4%, despite a significant increase in the average import value of 50%. It is worth noting that the export volume from the leading supplier - Indonesia - was 33% lower than in the previous year. At the same time, deliveries from the Philippines and other countries in the Pacific region, including Japan, increased (354 tons in 2012 against 57 tons since the beginning of 2011).
canned tuna
The production of canned tuna is currently under pressure from a variety of sources. Rising prices for the production of packaging materials, lower consumer demand in major markets, a sharp increase in raw material costs, growing demands from environmental organizations and the continued negative publicity for tuna consumption have affected the state of the global canned tuna market.
In the US market, the demand for canned tuna remains not very active. In the current economic situation, consumers are reluctant to accept the higher cost of fish, while supermarkets do not yet have the opportunity to promote this product at a low price, as was the case in the past.
In addition to rising prices, tuna producers are being targeted by conservation groups for allegedly high levels of mercury in the fish and environmental issues. All this also led to a decrease in tuna consumption.
During the first half of 2012, the volume of imports in the market decreased by 23% compared to the same period in 2011. In monetary terms, imports, however, turned out to be slightly lower due to higher prices for tuna.
To restore demand, major tuna sellers have introduced new products for sale. The American company Starkist recently began producing portioned tuna dishes, and Chicken of the Sea's "perishable" canned food became a hit in the US market.
Europe
In addition to the eurozone crisis and rising prices, the negative factor that affected the canned tuna market in the European Union was far from the best weather conditions. Lower consumer spending has had a negative impact on sales of finished canned tuna. This was reflected in the decline in imports of high-quality canned fish from Spain to Italy: in the first half of 2012, the volume of supplies in this market segment decreased by 11% compared to the same period in 2011. At the same time, deliveries from the Seychelles (by 14.8%) and Côte d'Ivoire (by 109%) increased.
As in Italy, in France, the main volume of imports was carried out due to the growth of supplies from the Seychelles (which amounted to 30.4%) and Côte d'Ivoire (77%), while imports from Spain and Ecuador fell sharply - by 46.7% and 21.6% respectively. As a result, the Seychelles came to the fore as the main supplier in this market. Overall, imports to France decreased by more than 11% from January to July 2012.
Imports of canned tuna to the German market, which is sensitive to changes, also showed a negative trend (down 11.7%). Also, after a significant increase in the previous year, from January to June 2012, the volume of imports to the UK decreased by 11.4% compared to the same period in 2011.
Falling demand and high prices have had an impact on the import of semi-finished tuna fillets in two main markets - Spain and Italy. During the first half of 2012, imports to Spain from Thailand fell by as much as 80%.
Asia
High prices for canned tuna, coupled with weak demand in major markets, have weighed heavily on Thai canned food exports. During the first half of 2012, the volume of exports decreased significantly - by almost 25%. At the same time, in monetary terms, it was approximately equal to the figures for the previous year. The United States remained the largest sales market for Asian countries, although here, too, supplies fell by more than 10%.
During the first half of 2012, tuna imports to Japan increased sharply - by 13% in volume and by 22.1% in monetary terms compared to the previous year. It reached a figure of 24 thousand tons or 11.9 billion Japanese yen (150 million US dollars). The main players in the market are three countries - members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. They account for 97% of the supply in this segment.
prospects
Raw skipjack tuna supplies were forecast to increase in the last quarter of 2012, with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission's ban on lure fishing ending after October 1st. At the same time, this cannot contribute to a fall in prices, since demand for raw materials traditionally grows at the end of the year. In the near future, the main growth in sales of tuna will be observed in the emerging markets of Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, which will offset the decline in consumer demand in the US and EU markets.
From the beginning of February, another ban on the production of bluefin tuna comes into force. About why there are so many restrictions on its catch and how blue fin tuna differs from its closest relatives, says the chef of the restaurant Doucet X.O. Said Fadli.
At what time of the year is tuna the most delicious?
The time of year doesn't really matter. Tuna does not have its own special season, despite the fact that it is not grown in artificial conditions. For a thousand years, tuna has been caught in the Atlantic Ocean from Iceland to Mexico, in the Pacific Ocean, in the Mediterranean Sea. It makes no sense to talk about the quality of fish caught in different seas. Tuna is the same everywhere - during the year it migrates, travels underwater from one camp to another. Another thing is important - since the seventies of the last century, Japanese cuisine has come into fashion all over the world. The increased demand for sushi has led to the gradual disappearance of tuna, especially blue tuna, the best. Therefore, there are now a huge number of catch restrictions, and the duration of these bans can vary. Environmentalists have noticed somewhere a decrease in the number of tuna - stop, the catch immediately stops. Here, for example, from the beginning of February, another ban will come into force, and you will not find fresh bluefin tuna in restaurants during the day with fire.
Why is blue fin tuna the best?
The three most common types of tuna are bluefin tuna, yellowtail tuna and ahi tuna. Blue fin tuna is the largest of the whole family, just a huge fish. This tuna has red meat and a silver-gray body with blue-gray fins, from which it got its name. But the most important thing is the meat, tasty, juicy and tender, like butter. If the average weight of bluefin tuna is 150 kg, then yellowtail weighs about 15. Its skin is lighter, and the meat is yellow-brown. The taste of yellow tail tuna is not as rich and saturated as that of its counterpart, one might say, not as embossed, less distinct, lighter, almost transparent. Bluefin tuna prefers the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and the yellowtail prefers the waters of the Pacific Ocean. As for ahi tuna, it tastes more like bluefin tuna (although, of course, it is much inferior to it), and in weight - like yellowtail. This is a small fish, its meat is red, but not dark. It lives in the Atlantic, and in the Pacific Ocean, and there are also a lot of it in the Mediterranean Sea.
- By what criteria do you evaluate the quality of bluefin tuna?
Usually it is not possible to see the whole fish - it is too big. But still, of course, you need to smell it and touch it. If the meat is elastic (the finger should not fall into the meat, as in mashed potatoes), odorless, dark red, almost brown, and blood oozes from the ridge - everything is in order, this is a fresh fish of excellent quality.
Which tuna is better - wild frozen or farm fresh?
Well, farm tuna is no match for wild tuna! No attempt to grow this fish in farm conditions has been successful so far. Reproducing the natural taste, texture of meat and aroma simply does not work. Too free and freedom-loving this fish, probably. Bluefin tuna is very large, I personally saw a fish weighing 750 kilograms. Farmers try to keep their tuna as big as wild tuna, they feed it. The fish grow beautiful, their skin is brighter, but it's all in vain. Because in the taste of farm-raised tuna, something artificial is felt, some unnatural additives, and the color of the meat is faded, pink. And although it is much easier to get such tuna than wild tuna, and it costs less, I do not recommend buying it.
- What dishes besides sushi and sashimi are made from tuna?
Yes, whatever! Just fresh tuna with rice is a very common and popular topic now. Tuna can be baked, fried, cooked with vegetables. In Mexico and Peru, they make tuna sandwiches, for this you need to marinate it in oil, spices and lemon juice for 4-6 hours. Personally, I really like to lightly grill the tuna, a couple of seconds on each side, so that the meat in the middle remains red, raw. The only thing I would like to advise is not to grill the yellowtail, its meat dries out very quickly. Yellowtail makes good tartare, ceviche and carpaccio.
What foods do you think are best served with tuna?
It all depends on your preferences. Love Mediterranean cuisine - with olive oil and lemon juice, you can with vegetables. Indifferent to Asian - with teriyaki and soy sauce. Prefer exotic - then fresh mangoes and avocados will do. A great option is rolls with fresh tuna and fruit, complemented by mango, avocado, fresh cucumber and a sauce of lychee, vinegar and lemon juice. Salad "Nicoise" - generally a classic. The tuna needs to be seasoned with paprika, salt, pepper and olive oil, then grilled until it just turns white. Then add boiled potatoes, beets, green beans, olives, capers and quail eggs. The sauce is made from vinegar, olive oil, balsamic and lemon juice.
- And how is tuna cooked in your native Morocco?
Oh, tuna steak is great in Morocco! First, it is marinated for 3-4 minutes with cilantro, parsley, saffron, ginger, salt, pepper, chili and olive oil. Then it is laid out in a tajine on vegetables - tomatoes, sweet peppers and onions with lemon and garlic, on top - a little olive oil, olives, fish broth. And baked for half an hour. Tajine - national Moroccan dishes - can be replaced by ordinary foil, it will turn out no worse.
A 222-kilogram bluefin tuna fished off the coast of Aomori prefecture was sold for an unprecedentedly high sum at a fish auction in Tokyo. The huge fish went under the hammer for 155.4 million yen (approximately $1.75 million at current exchange rates).
This is an unprecedented value deal. Last year, at the same auction, bluefin tuna sold for 56.49 million yen ($736,000 at the exchange rate as of January 2012, or $647,000 at the current exchange rate). At the same time, last year's record holder weighed much more.
For the second year in a row, the operator of the Kiyomura sushi restaurant chain became the owner of the giant fish. The head of the company, Kiyoshi Kimura, said that the purchase "was a little expensive", but they hope to "support Japan by supplying (to restaurants) good tuna in this way."
The fight for the largest bluefin tuna in the first fish auction of the year at the Tsukiji auction is a kind of fun for the elite of Tokyo's restaurateurs. Auctions are not only an important element of city life, but also a colorful spectacle. For a long time, travel companies included their visits in tours for foreigners with great success.
However, due to the bad manners of foreigners, who not only photographed the process, but also sometimes interfered with the auction, trying to break into the front rows and even touch the fish with their hands, the market administration banned tourists from visiting the auction in 2011.
With each passing year, Japan, which remains one of the world's largest consumer markets for tuna, finds it increasingly difficult to secure a reliable supply. The international catch quota is gradually decreasing, while the demand for this fish is growing in other countries of the Asian region, especially in China.
Tuna is a large and very strong fish, belongs to the mackerel family and is found mainly in the warm waters of the oceans. The main feature of tuna is that it almost never stands still and is in constant motion.
In this article, we will talk about how tuna is caught, describe the basic rules and reveal some secrets. Fishing for tuna is a very exciting activity. If you know the features of this fish and strictly follow the basic rules of fishing, then a good catch and a great adventure are guaranteed.
There are 15 types of tuna worldwide. All of them are predators and feed mainly on small fish, crustaceans and mollusks.
Almost all types of tuna move in the water column, huddled in schools. But big bluefin tuna, unlike the rest of their brethren, often swim in small groups or generally alone. It is capable of speeds up to 70 km per hour.
The most common types of tuna are:
Yellowfin tuna is the most attractive among all its fellows. Found in deep warm ocean waters. It is caught on trolling gear and used with all sorts of baits, often combining wobblers and spinners with replants of animal origin. This is a serious and strong opponent who fights for a long time, actively goes into the depths, unwinding the fishing line won back by the angler.
Bluefin or bluefin tuna is found in the northern part of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean and Black seas. It is characterized by rapid growth and, being the largest species of tuna, reaches over 2.5 m in length. This is a strong and fast fish, which is the most interesting, and therefore a very desirable trophy.
The blackfin tuna lives in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a pelagic fish that feeds on small fish, crustaceans and plankton. It is caught by casting, trolling or live bait in the upper layers of the water.
Longfin tuna is found in all tropical and subtropical seas and also belongs to pelagic fish. It rarely comes ashore, lives in the open ocean and makes seasonal migrations to cold zones to the coasts of New England, southern Brazil and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Tallfin tuna are caught with trolling gear and lures using rigs made from dead fish.
Bigeye tuna is found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. Adults weigh about 100 kg and live at great depths, while juveniles often live near the surface, forming quite numerous flocks.
Tuna fishing is primarily exciting because of the difficult, long and exciting fight, during which a strong fish actively and stubbornly resists. Therefore, it is important to choose the right tackle for catching tuna, taking into account the characteristics of the fish itself and the method of fishing.
When fishing for tuna by sea trolling from a boat or other specially equipped vessel on the high seas, the following is used:
sea rods , capable of withstanding extreme loads, from 1.65 to 2.15 meters long and 30-150 lb dough;
marine multiplier reels , which must match the selected rod, hold 500-600 m of fishing line or cord and be powerful enough to play active tuna;
sea lures in the form of silicone octopuses and wobblers, as well as a small fish for catching live bait.
For deep-sea tuna fishing in the open sea from a drifting vessel in light wind and small waves (sea drifting), you will need:
powerful sea rod, multiplier reel and fishing line with a test of at least 130 lb;
live bait (sardine, herring or mackerel) on a hook no.
An echo sounder will also come in handy to calculate the depth of the tuna migratory trail.
Tuna fishing has its own characteristics due to the strong nature of the fish, the specifics of its behavior and habitats:
shoals of trophy tuna are usually small and number no more than 5 individuals, but smaller fish stray into larger flocks;
larger tuna is usually caught in the autumn period of fishing;
to go out to sea for fishing should be on specially equipped boats, knowing in advance the time and direction of movement of tuna shoals.
The main stages of fishing for tuna from a ship on the high seas:
Feeding. It is very important to organize it correctly. For complementary foods, pre-thawed sardines are most often used. They create a food trail, methodically throwing a fish cut into several pieces and a whole fish overboard. At the same time, chopped and whole sardines are constantly alternated to increase the effectiveness of complementary foods.
Equipment placement. Typically, 2 to 4 rods are installed at the stern, while the vessel is placed on the windward side so that the tackle does not overlap. To cover a larger fishing area, tackle is located at different depths and at different distances from the vessel. To do this, use floats or ordinary balloons. The latter are even more convenient due to the fact that they burst as soon as the tuna begins to resist on the hook, and therefore do not interfere with the fight.
Fishing tuna. The success of fighting a particularly large tuna largely depends on the well-coordinated work of the entire team. The process itself can take from half an hour to several hours and then you have to transfer the gear to another angler. Tuna often alternate tactics of resistance: it gives in, then again goes into the depths, so it is often necessary to reverse the ship. And when bringing the fish to the board, you need an assistant with a hook at the ready in order to pick up the prey in time.
Tuna meat contains a lot of useful trace elements, phosphorus and other components necessary for the human body. In addition, well-cooked tuna has an incredible taste and aroma. And there are many ways to cook this fish.
Tuna is a very large marine (oceanic) fish that is a coveted trophy for industrial fishermen and hobbyists alike. In this article, you will learn where to catch tuna, what to fish for, and what gear to use.
Useful information about tuna:
Bluefin tuna is the largest species, while mackerel is the smallest.
Tuna can be found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Tuna also lives in the seas, for example, in the Mediterranean, Red, Adriatic, Aegean, Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. That is, tuna is kept in warm waters rich in small fish, such as sardine or mackerel.
Every year the tuna moves along the same routes, so if you know where to fish, there is a high chance of catching it.
Anglers note that small tunas are more often caught in spring, and larger individuals are caught in autumn. As a rule, flocks of large tunas consist of a dozen individuals, while flocks of small tunas, on the contrary, keep in large schools. We also note that large tuna lives at great depths, 100-150 meters, and small ones are closer to the surface.
When fishing for tuna, it can be detected visually, that is, it can jump out of the water. Another good sign of tuna is the dolphins that feed on small tuna. Diving birds are also a sign of tuna.
Feeding small fish plays a very important role in tuna fishing. Often they take carcasses of sardines, which are thrown both whole and cut in parts. The task of baiting is a clear feed trail, which is created by methodically throwing fish along the path of the vessel. Both chopped and whole sardines are needed for baiting, as chopped fish sink faster, and whole fish slower.
That is, due to the fact that a school of tuna can be located at different depths, from 20 to 100 m, having found bait distributed throughout the water column, the tuna rises higher and its chance to swallow the bait with a hook increases.
For large and medium-sized tuna, a whole sardine is used, and for small, half.
For tuna weighing up to 100 kg, rods are used with a test load of 70-90 lb, if the fish is more than 100 kg, then tackle with a test load of 100-130 lb is used.
The optimal length of the rod is 180-200 cm. Marine Dacron line with a high breaking load is used as the basis.
The reel should be of a marine class, preferably multiplier and high-speed, because tuna is very fast and when playing it, you often have to quickly and quickly choose the slack of the fishing line. The capacity of the reel must be more than 600 m of line. Brake adjustment is also important. We recommend proven coils from Shimano , Daiwa and Penn.
Also a very important tool for catching tuna is an echo sounder, which allows you to determine the depth of the fish, its size and speed of movement. Since tuna can be found at a depth of more than 100 meters, the echo sounder should penetrate such a depth without any problems. High-quality marine echo sounders cost from $500, and some models also have functionality related to GPS maps of the area, which is very convenient.
Equipment for catching tuna consists of the usual components, but their size and strength are very impressive. Sturdy line, leader, sinker, hook and large round bobber designed for tuna fishing.
The leash is made of thick fluorocarbon with a diameter of 1-2 mm and a length of 2-3 meters. Since the water in the sea and ocean is very clean, tuna sees well, and fluorocarbon is almost invisible in the water, which will not alert the fish.
As you understand, tuna hooks and swivels must be of maximum strength, so you can’t save on them. Marine hooks from firms are suitable Owner And mustad №8/0-12/0.
Weight used sinkers depends on the depth of fishing, the heavier the load, the greater the depth of immersion of the bait. Most often, sinkers weighing 200-300 grams are used.
If tuna fishing goes with several rods at once, then float balls are used, which delimit the space between the snaps, preventing them from tangling with each other. For example, one ball descends 50 meters from the vessel, the second ball descends 70 meters and the third ball descends 90 meters. The depth of tuna fishing can be from 10 to 150 meters.
We also recommend articles about catching the following marine fish: halibut, flounder, cod, bearing.
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