Species
Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Tier 4Eating10/10heavy tackleVulnerableNSWQLDWA
4 waypoints100–180 cm (max 250 cm) typical
Overview: about bigeye tuna
Deep-water tuna typically caught well offshore on the continental shelf and beyond, particularly off the east coast. Targeted by gamefishers deep-trolling or with live baits in current edges and seamounts. Often confused with yellowfin — the larger eye and shorter pectorals give it away.
Biology: Bigeye Tuna size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Offshore, Pelagic
- Typical size
- 100–180 cm (max 250 cm)
- Weight
- 30–100 kg (max 210 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–500 m
- Diet
- squid, lanternfish, pelagic fish
- Most active
- cathemeral
- Global range
- Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide
How to target: Bigeye Tuna angling strategies
Generally fished with heavy tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- deep trolling skirted lures with downriggers along shelf drop-offs
- night chunking with squid and pilchards on the shelf
- live-baiting slimies on a kite rig over deep canyons
Conservation
IUCN: Vulnerable
IUCN Vulnerable; managed under WCPFC and IOTC.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught bigeye tuna
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Where to catch: bigeye tuna fishing spots in Australia
More information: bigeye tuna references & sources
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