Albacore
Albacore are New Zealand's most accessible tuna — a summer visitor that pushes into coastal waters from the Bay of Plenty to Cook Strait and down the South Island's west coast.
Smaller and more tolerant of cooler water than yellowfin or bluefin, they're a realistic target for day-boat anglers and charter trips alike. The flesh is exceptional: pale, mild, and rich in fat — the original 'chicken of the sea.'
Scientific Name: Thunnus alalunga
Also known as Longfin tuna, albies, longfin tunny
- Dark metallic blue on the back, silvery-white below, with no spots or stripes; white trailing edge on the tail is a useful field mark.
- The defining feature: pectoral fins that extend well past the second dorsal fin — proportionally the longest of any tuna, reaching roughly 30% of body length in fish over 50 cm.
- Most fish caught in NZ run 1–5 kg; larger adults can reach 10 kg or more, with the species capable of exceeding 30 kg.
- Easily confused with skipjack tuna, but skipjack have much shorter pectoral fins and prominent dark stripes along the belly.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- An introduced migratory visitor — not native — that arrives in New Zealand waters each summer, following warm surface currents from the tropical South Pacific.
- Juveniles school near the surface from the Bay of Plenty to Cook Strait and along the South Island's west coast; larger adults range deeper and further south, occasionally to 45°S.
- Found all around New Zealand except the east coast of the South Island; the commercial troll fishery concentrates on the west coasts of both islands.
- Prefers surface temperatures of roughly 15–19°C for schooling; larger fish tolerate cooler water and can be found at depths to 380 m.
Key Locations
- West coast of the North Island — the core of the commercial troll fishery and productive for recreational anglers running offshore into blue water.
- Bay of Plenty to Wairarapa (east coast, North Island) — a key recreational zone where schools push inshore during summer; charters depart from Tauranga and Waihau Bay.
- West coast of the South Island — albacore follow the same warm currents south here; less pressure than the north but productive in peak summer.
- Northland and the Far North (Mangonui, Opua) — charter bases for targeting albacore alongside larger pelagics in the warmer northern waters.
Specific Spots
- Concentrate along temperature breaks and colour changes — the edge where blue offshore water meets greener coastal water is the first place to look.
- Schools often associate with floating debris, weed lines, and fish aggregating devices (FADs); scan the surface for bird activity over baitfish.
- Mixed schools with skipjack and occasionally yellowfin tuna are common — where you find one species, check for the others.
- In clean blue water, fish can push surprisingly close inshore, especially off headlands and points that deflect current.
Albacore FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Albacore?
Small skirted trolling lures in black/purple or green/yellow are a proven starting point; run several at different distances behind the boat (varying from short to long) and adjust speed between 5–10 knots until the fish respond.
When is the best time to fish for Albacore?
Summer (December–February): main arrival of schools in northern and central NZ waters; peak charter and recreational season. Late summer to early autumn (March–May): fish push further south and inshore as temperatures peak; often the best size fish of the season.
How do you catch Albacore?
Most NZ anglers target albacore by trolling skirted lures or small bibless minnows at 5–10 knots from a trailer boat or charter vessel, covering ground until a temperature break or bird activity signals a school. Once fish are located, switching to jigs cast into the school or dropped vertically keeps the action going.
What do Albacore eat?
Squid and other cephalopods make up the bulk of the diet, more so than for most other tunas, which is why skirted lures and squid-profile jigs draw strikes. Soft plastic squid imitations and lumo (glow) lures work well at speed.
Where do Albacore live?
An introduced migratory visitor, not native, that arrives in New Zealand waters each summer, following warm surface currents from the tropical South Pacific.
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