How to catch Bonito
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Bonito are small, fast members of the tuna family that blitz bait near the surface, a lively light-tackle target inshore and nearshore.
🏆 World record: The IGFA tracks all-tackle world records for bonito species such as the Atlantic bonito, hard fighting members of the tuna and mackerel family. IGFA records can change over time, so see igfa.org for the current mark. All records →
Where to find them
Nearshore and surface bait schools
Season
Warm months
Best baits & lures for Bonito
Cast small metal into breaking schools and retrieve fast. Long casts help reach skittish surface fish.
Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Bonito when conditions line up.
Catch to table: Bonito
Edible but strongly flavored, this member of the tuna family is best when bled immediately and eaten fresh or preserved. Many anglers use it for bait, but it can be good if handled well.
Taste: Dark red, oily, and strong-tasting, milder if bled fast and cooked or cured properly. Bolder than yellowfin or albacore.
Cleaning: Bleed at once, then fillet and trim the heavy dark bloodline; only the lighter meat is worth keeping for the table.
How to cook it
- • Sear the loins rare and slice thin.
- • Brine and smoke to mellow the strong flavor.
- • Cure or can in oil to preserve.
Tip: Bleed and ice instantly; the meat is strong and degrades fast, so handle it quickly for the best result.
Ikejime this fish for firmer, cleaner-tasting fillets and longer shelf life.
Where to catch Bonito
Book a Bonito charter
Guides and charter boats that target Bonito, by destination:
Catching Bonito: FAQ
What's the best bait for Bonito?
Proven options include small metals, jigs, flies. Cast small metal into breaking schools and retrieve fast. Long casts help reach skittish surface fish.
When is the best time to catch Bonito?
Warm months. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.
Where do you find Bonito?
Look for Nearshore and surface bait schools. Anglers target them at spots like San Diego, Los Angeles, the Algarve.