Pelagic Game FishThunnus maccoyii

Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishing

The prized tuna of southern Australia. Portland and St Helens (TAS) are SBT hotspots. Trolled minnows and skirted lures in cooler Southern Ocean currents.

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

Dawn trolling is very effective; also active when bait schools are visible middayTidal flow creates bait-concentrating upwellings; fish the turn of tide over seamountsCold green/blue water 15–20°C; choppy conditions concentrate bait near upwellings

Tides

Tidal flow creates bait-concentrating upwellings; fish the turn of tide over seamounts

Time of Day

Dawn trolling is very effective; also active when bait schools are visible midday

Conditions

Cold green/blue water 15–20°C; choppy conditions concentrate bait near upwellings

Structure

Continental shelf edges, seamounts, cold-water upwellings (Portland, St Helens), offshore canyon walls

Technique

Troll bibbed minnows at 5–7 knots; pitch metals and slow-pitch jigs over seamounts; SBT respond to natural baitfish colours

Pro Tip

Portland (VIC) May–August and St Helens (TAS) Feb–April are the windows — troll skirted lures and bibbed minnows close to the shelf edge