What about Blackfin ?

[Pigsafloat]

Saw the post on the yellowfin so I hunted around finally found a photo from a couple of years ago. I can't seem to remember how I got it ? Maybe if someone can tell me if you can shoot blackfin I'll remember. I thought it was just tuna requiring a permit that were off limits.

[kitefisherman]

Unlike yellowfin, bluefin and bigeye tuna, blackfin tuna are not managed as a "highly migratory species". Accordingly, you can spear them and you do not need a federal tuna permit like you do for the other tunas. Nice fish!

[kabo123]

i seem to remember reading something about not being able to spear tuna in federal waters ( in the south atlantic) i know you cannot spear game fish in state waters, i believe blackfin fit that class.

i well check and get back

[kitefisherman]

The rules to which I was referring apply to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. Pacific tunas are managed separately.

Because the management of highly migratory species is governed by treaties with other countries (ICAT = International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) and is thus a federal matter, my understanding is that there is no distinction between state and federal waters in the gear restrictions that apply.

[Pigsafloat]

Thanx Kite, Got this one during the spring about 5 years ago at a wreck in about 75' after chumming heavily with live and cut bait. Bonito were everywhere but you could tell when these guys showed up. Got in and got lucky. Old sea hornet with a cheap reel.