Bigeye Tuna Fishing (Thunnus obesus)

  1. Home
  2. Fishing & seasons
  3. Bigeye Tuna Fishing
A prize fighter in its own class, bigeye tuna fishing are strong, relentless and dive deep when hooked. They can grow in excess of 400 lbs. A terrific fish on light tackle when targeting tunas under 150 lbs. These tunas can feed and dive into oxygen low water deep down where many other predators cannot go.

bigeye tuna fishing 01

They are reported to grow to a maximum length of 100 inches. Bigeyes spend much of their life feeding in 200 to 500 meters deep in the water column. When you hook one of these incredible pelagics get ready to be treated to a great fight! They may look very similar to yellowfin tuna but if you look closely there are a few anatomical differences that help identify them.

How To Catch Bigeye Tuna In The Galapagos Islands

Bigeye tuna are widespread in the Pacific Ocean. They tend to bite more often early morning or late afternoon. While targeting yellowfin tuna topwater anglers will often encounter bigeye tuna as well. Casting plugs, poppers and stick baits may work well. Trolling bullet head lures at faster speeds may entice a bite from a bigeye. We have caught many bigeye while trolling for marlin on and off banks and seamounts.

bigeye tuna fishing 03

Where To Fish For Bigeye Tuna In The Galapagos Islands

Trolling deep water drops near Floreana and Isabela Island have been productive. However, some of the largest schooling of large bigeye tuna have happened on Bank 90 and Bank 88. Bigeye tend to jump high and make significant crashes on bait at the surface. Leaping fishing may be a good sign of where to find them.

Fishing Seasons For Bigeye Tuna

Bigeye tuna can be found year round in the Galapagos Islands. Most anglers choose to fish the calmer months from December to June as it makes it much easier to site cast and find the fish. February, March and April have been top months in the past.

bigeye tuna fishing 02

Fishing Tips & Techniques for Bigeye Tuna

Early morning and late afternoons seem to produce best bites and finding birds circling may be indicative of bigeye tuna feeding. While trolling 50 and 80 pound tackle are recommended as 200 to over 300 pounds plus bigeye tunas are caught every year in the Galapagos and they are one of the most powerful fish pound for pound in the ocean.

FOLLOW US