Bigeye Tuna
Bigeye tuna are a deep-water offshore species found along Australia's northern coastline from the Recherche Archipelago in WA to Cape Howe in Victoria.
They're a serious gamefish target for offshore anglers running east and west coast grounds, and a commercially valuable species taken mainly by longline.
Their tendency to feed deep — well below the surface — makes them harder to intercept than yellowfin, which is part of the appeal.
Scientific Name: Thunnus obesus
Also known as Bigeye
- Dark metallic blue back, whitish belly, with a live iridescent blue lateral band along the sides; yellow dorsal and anal fins with bright yellow finlets edged in black.
- The eye is noticeably larger relative to body size than in other tunas — the clearest distinguishing feature from yellowfin at any size.
- Juveniles under ~50 cm resemble yellowfin but sit deeper in the body and carry longer pectoral fins, closer to albacore proportions.
- Commonly encountered at 1.8 m and around 100 kg in Australian waters; maximum recorded around 2.36 m and 210 kg, though fish over 150 kg are rare here.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- In Australia, restricted to the northern half of the coastline — from the Recherche Archipelago, WA, around the north to approximately Cape Howe, Victoria.
- A highly migratory pelagic species of tropical and subtropical open ocean; found from the surface down to 250 m, with large adults capable of diving beyond 500 m where oxygen levels allow.
- Juveniles and smaller fish school near the surface, sometimes mixing with yellowfin or gathering around floating objects; larger adults move into deeper water and feed at and below the thermocline.
- Prefers surface temperatures between 17°C and 22°C but commercial longline data shows the species tolerates a wide range from 13°C to 29°C.
Key Locations
- NSW Far South Coast (Bermagui, Eden) — deep offshore grounds where east coast longliners and game boats intercept bigeye on the continental shelf edge.
- Queensland offshore waters — smaller quantities taken by pole-and-line and handline, particularly in the Coral Sea and northern grounds.
- Western Australia (Exmouth and offshore grounds) — bigeye are present in the Indian Ocean waters off WA's north-west coast, within the range of offshore game and commercial fleets.
Specific Spots
- Current fronts and temperature breaks — where warm and cooler water masses meet — concentrate baitfish and draw bigeye up from depth.
- Thermoclines, often 150–250 m down, are where large adults spend much of their time feeding; getting baits or lures into this zone is the central challenge.
- Floating objects (FADs, debris, weed lines) attract juvenile and sub-adult fish and are worth working thoroughly on offshore runs.
- The continental shelf edge and deep-water drop-offs, particularly where the bottom falls away to 1000 m or more, are consistent holding areas for larger fish.
Bigeye Tuna FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Bigeye Tuna?
Trolled skirted lures and hard-bodied minnows (such as Halco Laser Pro and similar large-profile bibbed lures) in pilchard, chrome, and natural baitfish colours account for surface and near-surface fish; run them at varying distances behind the boat to cover the spread.
When is the best time to fish for Bigeye Tuna?
Summer and autumn (December–April), warmer surface temperatures push bigeye into accessible range along the east and west coasts; the most productive period for recreational targeting.
How do you catch Bigeye Tuna?
Most recreational bigeye in Australia are taken offshore by boat, either trolling skirted lures and hard-bodies through current fronts and temperature breaks, or deep-dropping whole baits to the thermocline after dark.
What do Bigeye Tuna eat?
Bigeye feed on a mix of smaller fish, squid, and crustaceans. Their deep-feeding habit means they're often targeting prey species that live at or below the thermocline, squid in particular are a major food source at depth, which is why deep-set baits and skirted lures with squid profiles produce well.
Where do Bigeye Tuna live?
In Australia, restricted to the northern half of the coastline, from the Recherche Archipelago, WA, around the north to approximately Cape Howe, Victoria.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Bigeye Tuna.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Bigeye Tuna water
Pick Bigeye Tuna and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Bigeye Tuna
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Bigeye Tuna are.
Open the map, filter by Bigeye Tuna, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.