Best Months
Jan – Dec
Best Time
Dawn trolling is very effective; also active when bait schools are visible midday
Tide
Tidal flow creates bait-concentrating upwellings; fish the turn of tide over seamounts
Top Locations
48 regions
How to Catch Southern Bluefin Tuna
Tidal flow creates bait-concentrating upwellings; fish the turn of tide over seamounts
Dawn trolling is very effective; also active when bait schools are visible midday
Cold green/blue water 15–20°C; choppy conditions concentrate bait near upwellings
Continental shelf edges, seamounts, cold-water upwellings (Portland, St Helens), offshore canyon walls
Troll bibbed minnows at 5–7 knots; pitch metals and slow-pitch jigs over seamounts; SBT respond to natural baitfish colours
Portland (VIC) May–August and St Helens (TAS) Feb–April are the windows — troll skirted lures and bibbed minnows close to the shelf edge
Best Regions by Month
Seasonal ratings across all Australian regions. Click a region to see the full calendar.
Working metal jigs up and down in the water column over reefs or structure.
Dragging lures or baits at speed behind a moving boat. Primary technique for pelagics.