Tuna fishing off the coast of Maine is immensely popular, with thousands of anglers heading out on chartered trips and privately owned boats each year in search of that once in a lifetime catch. Maine is not renowned for having a varied tuna population, with the bluefin being the only native species. However, bluefin tuna are highly sought after, particularly due to their immense size, power and swimming abilities. Once hooked, few fish will provide as big a challenge as a several hundred pound bluefin tuna.
As their name suggests, bluefin tuna have a dark blue coloring on top, graduating to silver along their sides and belly. Bluefin tuna have two dorsal fins, a single anal fin and numerous partial fins along its back and underside. Their bodies built for speed, with a streamlined shape and powerful tail. Bluefin tuna are renowned for their speed and power, giving anglers lucky enough to hook one the fight of a lifetime. In terms of size, large adult bluefin can reach lengths of up to twelve feet and tip the scales at well over one thousand pounds. More typical examples are around the eight foot mark and weigh in at nearer six hundred pounds.
Large bluefin tuna...