Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Little Tunny

LITTLE TUNNY - Euthynnus alletteratus

Description: The Little Tunny is small in body size compared to other tuna species. It has a compact and stream-lined body built to facilitate bursts of speed as well as endurance while swimming. The coloration of the Little Tunny is typically metallic blue or blue-green with dark wavy stripes above the lateral line. These "worm-like" lines are within a well marked border that never extends farther forward than the middle of the first dorsal fin. The belly is bright white with 3–7 dark, fingerprint-like spots around the pectoral and pelvic fins. The Little Tunny is commonly confused with the Atlantic Bonito because of coloration, but the two fish differ in their color patterns and overall body size.
Size: The average size of the Little Tunny is up to 32 inches in length, weighing up to 20 lbs.
Where found: NEAR SHORE and OFFSHORE. The Little Tunny is found in the temperate and tropical zones in the Atlantic Ocean. On the Atlantic coast of the United States, they can be caught as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and as far south as the tip of Florida, as well as throughout the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Little Tunny's habitat tends to be near-shore waters, much closer to shore than most other tunas. They live in and around inlets, points, jetties, and sandbars. All of these places are where bait fish like sardine and menhaden, both favorites of the Little Tunny, form large schools, which are very helpful to the Little Tunny's feeding style.
Remarks: Schools of Little Tunny are usually indicated by flocks of birds diving in coastal waters. Fishermen targeting them often troll bait, cast lures, and float fish. When trolling for Little Tunny, fishermen often use small lures dressed with colored feathers. Popular lures include feathered jigs, and brightly-colored metal lures that can be casted far and retrieved quickly that imitate the small baitfish the Little Tunny are often feeding on.