Bluefin Trevally

Bluefin Trevally are an aggressive fish that put up a fight when hooked. They can be caught using bait or lures, including jerkbaits, poppers and jigs. Bluefin Trevally are one of the few fish that with take a lure as readily as bait.

Bluefin Trevally

Region: West
Habitat: Bay, Ocean, Coastal Waters

How to identify Bluefin Trevally

Adult bluefin trevallies display vibrant hues of turquoise, silver, and greens on their backs and sides, which are dotted with small blue/black markings. Its tail and fins are even more brilliant blue than its body. Its anal and dorsal fins have white-tipped lobes that set them apart from the black edging on its tail. Juvenile fish have a yellow/silver body that has no markings. Their pectoral fins are bright yellow, while their second dorsal and anal fins are deep blue. Mature bluefin trevallies have prominent bony plates and more resonant bodies with anterior lobes that stand out in the long second dorsal and anal fins. They have long, curved pectoral fins and a deep fork in their tail. The bluefin trevally’s sloped-head profile makes it easily identifiable. The female bluefin trevally is smaller than the male.

Where to catch Bluefin Trevally

Bluefin trevallies can be found in the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the western coast of the U.S. down to Baja California, Mexico, and Panama. They are also located in the harbors, outer reefs, and channels of the Hawaiian and Polynesian islands.

Range: West
Bluefin Trevally Fishing Map

The following are habitats where you can catch Bluefin Trevally:

How to catch Bluefin Trevally

During the day, bluefin trevallies prefer the waters of outer reefs and deep lagoons. In the evenings, they will move to channels, harbors, and shallow reefs to feed. Once they’ve had their fill, they settle in for the night in deeper waters. Anglers should try fishing in the late evening/early morning around inshore reefs. A good method to try is trolling at speeds around 3-6 mph. Bluefin trevallies like to pursue fast bait, so anglers should keep the bait moving. These fish are known to strike very hard, making anglers think they’ve caught something much larger.

The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Bluefin Trevally:

Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Bluefin Trevally

Bluefin trevallies respond well to baits, such as small fish and crustaceans. Lures with surf casters also work well, as do jigs, spoons, and feathers.

The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Bluefin Trevally: