Blackfin Tuna
Thunnus atlanticus
Also called blackfin, football, black-fin tuna, black fin tuna
A smaller species of tuna with distinctive black-edged fins and a dark back that transitions to silver sides. Known for its excellent eating quality and fighting ability.
Blackfin Tuna at a glance
- Scientific name
- Thunnus atlanticus
- Typical size
- 20-32 inches
- IGFA world record
- 45 lbs 8 oz
- State record
- 45 lbs 8 oz
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Offshore
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Rare
Habitat
Offshore near current edges, humps, and wrecks. Schooling pelagic.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a blackfin tuna through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksWhat to throw for blackfin tuna
The lure classes that produce for blackfin tuna, drawn from the same species map Cobia reasons about. Each one opens a full page on what it is, when it works and how to fish it.
Which one, in which color and which weight, depends on the water in front of you today. That part is the app.
Blackfin Tuna questions people ask
Blackfin Tuna is Thunnus atlanticus. Anglers also call it blackfin, football, black-fin tuna, black fin tuna.
A typical blackfin tuna runs 20-32 inches. The IGFA all tackle world record stands at 45 lbs 8 oz. Cobia records the length and weight of every blackfin tuna you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Offshore near current edges, humps, and wrecks. Schooling pelagic. It is a salt water species, filed under offshore in the Fishdex.
The IGFA all tackle world record blackfin tuna weighed 45 lbs 8 oz.
Jigheads, trolling skirts and offshore heads and trolling lures and plugs all produce. Which one, in which color and which weight, depends on the season, the water temperature and the tide on the day, which is the part Cobia works out against the lures you already own.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.