Albacore
Albacore are a migratory, open-ocean tuna found in offshore waters around most of Australia's coastline.
Rated among the best-eating of all tunas — the white, mild flesh is why they're called "chicken of the sea" — they draw both recreational and commercial interest.
Off NSW, September through December and April–May are the prime windows, with trolling the go-to method.
Scientific Name: Thunnus alalunga
Also known as Longfin tuna, long-finned tuna, bonito, chicken of the sea, white meat tuna
- Torpedo-shaped body, dark metallic blue on the back fading to silvery-white on the belly; no spots or stripes; white trailing edge on the tail fin.
- The defining feature: pectoral fins that are extraordinarily long — at least 30% of body length in fish over 50 cm — reaching well past the second dorsal fin. Tips are pointed, not rounded.
- First dorsal fin dark yellow; second dorsal and anal fins pale yellow; 7–10 small finlets run behind each.
- Common recreational fish run 3–22 kg (50–90 cm); the species reaches around 55 kg and 1.2 m, though fish that size are rare inshore.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- A native, highly migratory pelagic species present in offshore waters of all Australian states except the Northern Territory — most consistent along the east and west coasts.
- Targeted by Australian fleets under the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF) in the South Pacific and the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (WTBF) in the Indian Ocean.
- Travels in the open ocean, typically from the surface down to around 380 m, concentrating along temperature fronts and thermoclines where baitfish stack up.
- Schools with skipjack, yellowfin and southern bluefin tuna; may also gather around floating objects and FADs offshore.
Key Locations
- NSW offshore waters — the primary recreational fishery, with fish accessible from Sydney south to the Illawarra and north toward the mid-north coast during spring and autumn runs.
- Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF) grounds in the South Pacific — the main commercial zone targeting albacore along the east coast.
- Western Australian offshore waters — targeted under the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (WTBF) in the Indian Ocean, though this is predominantly a commercial longline fishery.
Specific Spots
- Temperature fronts and thermoclines — where cold and warm water meet — are the single most reliable locator; bait concentrates there and albacore follow.
- Upwelling zones and colour changes (green-to-blue water edges) offshore concentrate squid and small fish that draw feeding schools to the surface.
- Floating debris, weed lines and FADs offshore can hold schools, especially juveniles that tend to stay shallower than adults.
- Deeper water (100–380 m) holds larger adults; smaller fish school closer to the surface and are more accessible to recreational trollers.
Albacore FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Albacore?
Skirted trolling lures (80–180 mm) in pink/white, purple/black or blue/white are the backbone of most albacore trolling spreads off the NSW and WA coasts; run them at 7–9 knots across temperature breaks.
When is the best time to fish for Albacore?
NSW: peak season runs September to December (spring–early summer) and again in April–May (autumn) as fish migrate along the coast. Outside these windows, albacore move offshore or out of range of most recreational boats, summer and winter fishing is generally poor close to the NSW coast.
How do you catch Albacore?
Recreational anglers in Australia target albacore almost entirely from boats offshore, trolling skirted lures or bibbed minnows across temperature fronts and colour changes. When schools are spotted feeding on the surface, casting metal slices or minnow lures into the melee is highly effective.
What do Albacore eat?
Squid and other cephalopods make up the largest share of the diet, more so than in most other tunas. Squid-pattern lures, skirted trolling lures in pink or purple, and soft-plastic squid imitations all capitalise on this.
Where do Albacore live?
A native, highly migratory pelagic species present in offshore waters of all Australian states except the Northern Territory, most consistent along the east and west coasts.
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