Tuna on the fly

Thunnus albacares

About Tuna Fishing in Baja, Mexico

Tuna are among the most sought-after fish species by both private anglers and commercial fishers. They are called tuna because they are barrel-shaped and the word tuna is Spanish for "tun" or "cask". Tuna is fantastic eaten raw as sushi or cooked, or as you know - preserved in cans or pouches.

Unlike most fish, Tuna are warm-blooded, making them one of the fastest-growing of all fish species on Earth. They are capable of growing to more than six feet long and weigh more than 600 pounds. As such, tuna are apex ocean predators

There are several different species, but for the angler - they have one important thing in common: they swim fast! The tuna's speed helps it survive because it can escape predators and hunt for food quickly. It also makes for great fishing action when you find one at the end of your fly line.

In Baja, the individual species we most encounter are yellowfin and bluefin tuna. Tuna belongs to the family Scombridae, which also includes mackerels, bonitos, and skipjack. Often jacks end up passing as tuna, though technically it is different.

Where to fish for tuna in Baja

Tuna are one of the fastest and most intelligent fish in the ocean. They can swim up to 55 miles per hour, leap out of the water, and jump into boats or onto the shore. The tuna found in Baja California Sur spend their summers in the Sea of Cortez, migrating south to the warm waters of the Pacific along with millions of other creatures.

This means they can be targeted in both the Sea of Cortez and up the Pacific Coast. If you're willing to move around, there's no reason you can't find fish.

How to catch Tuna with a fly rod in Baja

We fish for tuna the same way we fish for the other species. They can be targeted from the beach, or from both an inshore and off-shore panga for more action. When we find an active bait ball, it's merely a process of sight casting to a hungry school of fish. Other times, we might troll through fertile feeding grounds until we find a school.

You'll need accurate casts and good line management to bring one in.

The best times of the year to fish for tuna in Baja

The tuna fishing season for the fly fisherman begins in late May. Of course, the peak of the tuna fishing season happens in June and July. If you have never fly-fished for tuna before, you will be surprised at how exciting it is. Tuna are amazing fighters on light tackle and a great challenge for anglers looking to learn fly fishing.

What gear do you need to fish for Tuna

Flyfishing for tuna is best done with an 8-weight or 9-weight rod and reel that holds 400-yards of backing/leader/tippet material. The reason you need this much backing material is that if you hook good-sized tuna on a 20-pound test line, it will go ballistic, taking you on multiple runs. You need enough backing material so that you can control the runs so he stops charging around and runs out of gas (breaks off).