Page 16 - Fish in OC Magazine 2024

TUNA Tuna Species Offshore Ocean City, MD

YELLOWFIN TUNA

Thunnus Albacares
MD State Record: 236 LBS 8 OZ
World Record: 427 LBS
Color: Blue to Silver
Distinguishing Features: Bright yellow dorsal and
anal fins as well as bright yellow finlets before tail.
Pectoral fin will reach the 2nd dorsal in mature adults.
Techniques & Baits: Trolling ballyhoo and ‘Green
Machine’ or squid spreader bars. Chunking butterfish,
sardines & bunker.

BLUEFIN (ATLANTIC)
Thunnus Thynnus
MD State Record: 625 LBS
World Record: 1,496 LBS
Color: Dark Blue to Grey / Silver
Distinguishing Features: Short pectoral fin does
not reach the 2nd dorsal fin.
Techniques & Baits: Trolling ballyhoo, WWB (way,
way back) for larger fish and ‘Green Machine’ or
squid spreader bars. Chunking butterfish,
sardines & bunker.

BIGEYE (ATLANTIC)
Thunnus Obesus
MD State Record: 375 LBS
World Record: 392 LBS 6 OZ
Color: Deep Dark Blue to Silver
Distinguishing Features: Large head and eyes. Long
pectoral fin reaches the second dorsal fin in juveniles.
Techniques & Baits: Trolling large and horse ballyhoo
with ‘Hawaiian Eye’ lures and ‘Green Machine’ or squid
spreader bars.

LONGFIN (ALBACORE)
Thunnus Alalunga
MD State Record: 77 LBS
World Record: 88 LBS 2 OZ
Color: Dark Blue to Silvery White
Distinguishing Features: Very long pectoral
fin reaches well beyond the 2nd dorsal fin in
mature adults.
Techniques & Baits: Trolling medium to
large ballyhoo.

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