Photo: H. L. Todd / Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack Tuna
Saltwater
About this species
A small, striped-bellied tuna that forms enormous surface-feeding schools across tropical seas. It is the mainstay of the canning industry and a spirited light-tackle catch. Small trolled feathers and casting metal jigs to boiling schools bring nonstop action.
Season
123456789101112
Depth
0 – 260 m
Habitat Spots
OffshoreNearshore
Fishing Methods
LureTrollingJigging
Bait & Rig
Small feather or cedar plug trolled near the surface, or metal jigs cast to boiling schools under diving birds.
Edibility & Taste
Strong, dark flesh used globally for canned tuna; fresh skipjack is excellent smoked or as katsuobushi (bonito flakes) in Japanese cuisine.
Similar Species
Identified by four to six dark longitudinal stripes on the lower belly with no stripes on the back, distinguishing it from all other small tunas.
Record Weight
20.5 kg