Arguably the most beautiful and tasty of all Trevallies, Bluefin are perhaps the strongest pound for pound fighters as well. This species is sure to give you a run for your money and is definitely worth seeking out.

Bluefin Trevallies have some of the most amazing coloration of any fish, with myriad electric blue dorsal spots that flare up when they're excited. They are also able to camouflage into darker colors to avoid detection when stalking prey.

How big

Bluefin Trevally can grow up to almost 4ft in length and 100lbs in weight, however, giants like that haven't been officially recorded. Average fish are on the smaller side of the Jack/Trevally spectrum, with most caught up to 20lbs, but rarely over 12lbs.

Distribution

The species can be found over coastal reefs or in shallow flats throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean. They can be caught in the surf or from a boat. They range from South Africa, throughout South and Southeastern Asia, into the Pacific Ocean north to Japan, south to Australia and east to Central America, from Cabo San Lucas to Panama.

How to catch

These voracious fish will take artificial and natural bait alike - they are aggressive and have been known to steal food from sharks' moths. Small baitfish or dead baits like shrimp or octopus should work, but lures such as jerkbaits, jigs, spoons, feathers, flies, large poppers or plastic bobbers are much more effective.

Lures should be worked rapidly, as these fish love to hunt and will lose interest in monotonously moving bait. Once you get a hit, they will try to head towards bottom structure and should be turned as quickly as possible so as not to cut your line on it.

Good to eat?

Their firm flesh is considered excellent table fare, but fish over 1.5ft are known to cause ciguatera (fish poisoning).