Fish Tripper
Pelagic Game FishThunnus tonggol

Longtail Tuna Fishing

Prolific schooling tuna of the east coast. Exciting surface action on poppers and metal slugs. Found from QLD to NSW in warmer months.

Best Months

Apr – Oct

Best Time

Early morning surface action is best; they'll push bait to the surface in clear sight

Tide

Productive on the run-in tide over headlands and reef edges; fish wash up with the tide

Top Locations

36 regions

How to Catch Longtail Tuna

Early morning surface action is best; they'll push bait to the surface in clear sightProductive on the run-in tide over headlands and reef edges; fish wash up with the tideChoppy surface with bait schools pushed up; look for diving gannets and terns
Tides

Productive on the run-in tide over headlands and reef edges; fish wash up with the tide

Time of Day

Early morning surface action is best; they'll push bait to the surface in clear sight

Conditions

Choppy surface with bait schools pushed up; look for diving gannets and terns

Structure

Headland washes, reef edges, blue water inside 5km, surface schools

Technique

Cast metals into or just past the school; fast retrieve with irregular jerks; poppers work well on nervous schools

Pro Tip

Don't over-cast into the school — land lures on the edge and rip through. Stopping retrieve often triggers strikes as the lure sinks away

Best Regions by Month

Seasonal ratings across all Australian regions. Click a region to see the full calendar.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Hervey Bay
F
G
G
P
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Fraser Coast
F
G
G
P
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Sunshine Coast
F
G
G
P
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Gold Coast
F
G
G
P
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Lord Howe Island
F
G
G
P
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Cairns
F
F
F
G
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Port Douglas
F
F
F
G
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Cooktown
F
F
F
G
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Townsville
F
F
F
G
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Mackay
F
F
F
G
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Yeppoon
F
F
F
G
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Gladstone
F
F
F
G
G
F
F
G
P
P
G
F
Peak Good Fair Poor/None
Fishing Techniques
Casting Hard Bodies

Casting hard body lures to structure, mangroves, and rocky areas in estuaries.

Trolling

Dragging lures or baits at speed behind a moving boat. Primary technique for pelagics.

Surface Popping

Casting cup-faced poppers to create surface commotion targeting aggressive surface feeders.

When to Target
Jan
22 regions
Feb
28 regions
Mar
28 regions
Apr
30 regions
May
14 regions
Aug
14 regions
Sep
30 regions
Oct
30 regions
Nov
30 regions
Dec
22 regions

Bag & Size Limits

Regulations vary by state and change seasonally. Check the official fisheries website for current rules.

Australian Lure Fishing Podcast

Greg Vinall — Doc Lures

Browse all episodes on Spotify

Gear Guide

See the recommended tackle, lures, and equipment for this species.