False Albacore

Season in Panhandle

Destin-area pier calendar lists 'bonito' (little tunny; LSU gives bonito as a common name) in January, February, May to September and December. LSU: comes closer to shore than any other tuna. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Off the pier ends when bait schools come close; locals call it bonito (Fishing Destin Guide; LSU).

Usually past the bar or outside inlets; blitzes come and go fast.

What to look for

Fast surface blitzes on small bait with birds over them.

What to throw

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Epoxy jig3/8 to 1 oz, Small, matched to silversides, bay anchovies and sand eels. Fast steady retrieve through the school.

Silver casting spoon (Clarkspoon or Drone style)1/2 to 1 oz, No. 0 to 1 / 2.5 to 3.5 in. Burn it. Fast, steady, just under the surface.

Topwater popper or walk-the-dog plug1 to 2 oz, 4 to 6 in. Popper: sharp pops with pauses. Walker: rhythmic side-to-side twitches.

Leader

20 lb fluorocarbon on 10 to 20 lb braid, 4000 size reel, 7 to 7.5 ft medium rod.

Common mistakes

• Retrieving too slowly; burn the lure
• Casting into the middle of the school instead of ahead of it

Landing

Grab the leader and tail and hold the head still; they shake violently.

Handling

• Violent head shakes can drive a hook into a hand

Control the head and tail before unhooking.

Keep or release

Seldom eaten because of its red flesh (LSU); popular cut bait.

Recipes for false albacore

Typical: 4 to 14 lb (fall NC fish). Large: Up to about 20 lb. SC record 29 lb 7 oz (1975).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Fishing Destin Guide (local angler site, 2014): pier fishing calendar for seven piers from Panama City to Gulf State Park (Angler knowledge)
• LSU / Louisiana Sea Grant, Louisiana Fisheries: little tunny (common names include bonito) (Official source)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: little tunny (Official source)
• Coastal Review, Oct 2024: little tunny, fat albert, false albacore (NC) (Angler knowledge)
• Carolina Sportsman: nearshore false albacore (NC) (Angler knowledge)
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries: little tunny (Official source)
• SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)

All the fish of Panhandle