Open Year-Round

Skipjack Tuna

Katsuwonus pelamis

Also known as: Skippy, Stripy, Bonito

DPIRD Category Large Pelagic Finfish
Peak Season Year round
Difficulty Easy
Fight Rating ★★★☆☆
Skipjack Tuna

Regulations & Limits

LARGE PELAGIC FINFISH

Limits by Bioregion

West Coast OPEN
Min Size —
Individual Limit 3 fish
Mixed Limit Within 3 large pelagic total
✓ Open year-round.
South Coast N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Gascoyne OPEN
Min Size —
Individual Limit 3 fish
Mixed Limit Within 3 large pelagic total
✓ Open year-round.
Pilbara N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley) OPEN
Min Size —
Individual Limit 3 fish
Mixed Limit Within 3 large pelagic total
✓ Open year-round.

Good to Know

  • Part of 3 fish mixed large pelagic limit

ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au

Size & Weight

Typical Size50 cm
Max Size80 cm
Typical Weight3 kg
Max Weight12 kg

Habitat

Where: Open water, current lines, around bait schools

Depth: 0-50m

ID Features: Dark blue back, silver belly, 4-6 dark horizontal stripes on lower body

Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak Available Poor

Peak: Year round | Water Temp: 18 – 28°C

How to Catch Skipjack Tuna

1

Trolling

Setup

  • Line: PE2-3 / 15-24kg
  • Leader: 40-60lb fluoro

Top Lures

  • Small skirted lures
  • Feathers
  • Chrome slices

Best Baits

  • Pilchards
  • Garfish
2

Casting to schools

Setup

  • Line: PE2-3 / 12-20kg
  • Leader: 30-50lb fluoro

Top Lures

  • Metal slugs 20-40g
  • Small stickbaits
  • Soft plastics

Best Baits

  • Whitebait
  • Pilchard strips

Eating Quality

★★★☆☆ Good

Flesh: Dark red

Best cooked: Sashimi, tataki, canned

The Fight

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Fast, strong for size

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