Yellowfin Tuna Thunnus albacares Other common names: Ahi (Hawaii), 'fin Size, Migration and breeding: Commonly 16 to 67 inches, can grow to 75 inches and 388+ pounds. Yellowfin are sexually mature when they reach a length of approximately 40 inches, and spawning occurs throughout the year in the core areas of distribution (between 15' N and 15' S Latitude), including the Gulf of Mexico with peaks occurring in summer months. Expected temperature range is 62° F to 86° F (17° C to 30° C). Yellowfin sexually mature at appoxaimatly 20kgs. They are appoximatly 1 meter (40") by this stage of their life cycle. The typical breeding location is the open ocean along the continental shelf and current lines, ocean mountains and canyons. This fish will be around schools of bait such as ballyhoo, pilchards and squid. Yellowfin will come close to shore if warm currents and bait are present. Current I.G.F.A. all time record: 176kg on 37kg tackle Range: A warm-water species, yellowfin is the most tropical species of tuna. Abundant in tropical waters throughout Atlantic. Young are known to form large schools near surface. Adults inhabit fairly deep water but also live near the surface. Often mixed with other species, especially skipjack and bigeye. Description: Fusiform body, more slender than that of bluefin or bigeye. Small eyes and head, longer 2nd dorsal and anal fins than any other tuna (which get longer with age). Liver without striations on ventral surface. Swimbladder present. 26-35 gill rakers on first gill arch. Pectoral fins usually reach beyond the origin of the 2nd dorsal fin but not beyond the end of its base. Dark blue back with yellow lateral band on the upper sides. Lower sides and belly silvery-gray, often with chains of white vertical lines and spots. 2nd dorsal and anal fins yellow. Finlets yellow with a narrow black margin. Identifying features: Upper body is black and lower body is silver white. In the mid-section the yellowfin has a destictive yellow stripe which begin at the gill case and continues to the caudal fin. Above this line the color is a purple-blue when the yellowfin is alive but fades in death. The second dorsal and anal fin are the longest of any tuna. The Pectoral Fins fold flat along body and reaches the start of the second dorsal fin. The Fighting characteristics of the yellowfin make it a very tough fighting fish with a fast recovery rate. Mixes deep dives with long fast runs that will test the angler and tackle.