Open Year-Round
Dogtooth Tuna
Gymnosarda unicolor
Also known as: Doggie, white tuna
DPIRD Category
Large Pelagic
Peak Season
March - November
Difficulty
Advanced
Fight Rating
★★★★★
Regulations & Limits
LARGE PELAGIC
Limits by Bioregion
West Coast
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
South Coast
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Gascoyne
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Pilbara
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley)
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au
Size & Weight
| Typical Size | 80-120 cm |
| Max Size | 200 cm |
| Typical Weight | 10-30 kg |
| Max Weight | 130 kg |
Habitat
Where: Steep reef drop-offs, offshore atolls and pinnacles in tropical waters
Depth: 20-200m
ID Features: Elongated body, prominent conical teeth, wavy lines on back, no swim bladder
Season
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak
Available
Poor
Peak: March - November | Water Temp: 24-30°C
How to Catch Dogtooth Tuna
1
Jigging
Setup
- Line: PE 4-8
- Leader: 80-130lb fluorocarbon
Top Lures
- Speed jigs
- Knife jigs
2
Trolling
Setup
- Line: PE 4-8
- Leader: 80-130lb fluorocarbon
Top Lures
- Deep-diving bibbed minnows
- Skirted lures
Eating Quality
Flesh: White to pale pink, firm and clean
Best cooked: Sashimi, grilled, pan-fried
The Fight
Brutal fighters that head straight for the reef. Their combination of speed, power and proximity to structure makes them one of the hardest fish to land in tropical waters.