Species
Albacore
Thunnus alalunga
Also known as longfin tuna
Tier 3Eating8/10medium tackleNSWVICSAWATAS
9 waypoints~60–100 cm typical
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Range & spots
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Overview: about albacore
Pelagic tuna with long pectoral fins, found in temperate offshore waters around southern Australia, especially off NSW, VIC and TAS. Targeted by gamefishers trolling skirted lures or feathers on the continental shelf, often in cooler months. Smaller than yellowfin or bluefin but fast and dogged on light tackle.
Biology: Albacore size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Offshore, Pelagic
- Typical size
- 60–100 cm (max 140 cm)
- Weight
- 5–15 kg (max 40 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–600 m
- Diet
- pilchards, squid, small pelagic baitfish
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Cosmopolitan in temperate and subtropical waters
How to target: Albacore angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- trolling small skirted lures and Christmas-tree daisy chains at 6-8 knots
- cubing pilchards on a slow drift over current lines
- casting metals into surface boil-ups when fish ball bait
Best season: when to catch albacore in Australia
- NSW
- Mar-Jun (east coast albie run)
- VIC
- Mar-May (west and east continental shelf)
- WA
- Dec-Apr (south-west)
- TAS
- Feb-May (east coast)
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Where to catch: albacore fishing spots in Australia
9 mapped fishing spots, marks and waypoints for albacore across Australia, covering land-based fishing, rock fishing, estuary fishing and offshore and bluewater fishing. Each location below links through to access notes and coordinates.