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Longtail Tuna
The Longtail or Northern Bluefin (they are not a proper Northern Bluefin) are the mainstay for Australian LGB fishermen. They are now extremely prolific (the result of a commercial moratorium) and hug the coast, making them an ideal target for the HSS fishermen. They are a large tuna growing to around 40kg, but are most commonly caught in the region of 8–20kg.
Many anglers like to live-bait with LGB live-baiting tackle. Longtail will take a live bait readily. However, my favourite method is to spin for them with powerful HSS tackle, either blind casting in the morning, or as the sun comes up sight casting to pods of the fish spotted from a high ledge. In my opinion, there is nothing more exciting than sight casting at a pod of large Longtails and watching several of them smashing at lures. Multiple hookups are common, and mayhem is assured from the powerful, hard-to-control fish. Add a few hungry sharks and grouper in the mix and you will have a difficult time landing an energetic Longtail.
Smaller Longtails around 8–15kg can be caught on 30lb braid with lighter HSS spin rods, however the 20kg plus models will test you and it is best to use 50lb braid and a rod capable of really muscling them, eg, Daiwa Monster Mesh 8'6".
Larger Longtails like this are best caught using heavier spin gear as even when tired, they are hard to control with lighter gear.
Though some would disagree, I believe Longtails are wire-shy so I always use a 60lb mono leader tied with a double uni knot to a short double on the braid. Lures of choice are 85gr Raiders or Knights in natural colours. I also like Lively Lure Mac Baits, Rapalas, Halco Max’s and an assortment of poppers. Just a plain old Halco Rooster popper is fine.
This 12kg Longtail was taken on a Halco popper...
When you hook a Longtail, it is likely to thrash around for a bit and when it realises it's hooked, surge off with a screaming run of up to 300 metres. After that it may take several more runs but move into an arcing tug of war. Keep the pressure on as the fish is arcing, it is likely to arc into a snag, so the best thing to do is free spool the fish at this point and it will change direction and swim out for the open sea again. A protracted fight with a Longtail will consist of many arcs so you will have to be quick on the reel, free spooling and then applying pressure. The fish will arc right up to your feet where it can be gaffed or washed up if possible.
Surface strikes like this are common when spinning for Longtail.
Smaller Longtails like these can be handled with lighter tackle in the 20–30lb line class.
Longtails can be washed up or gaffed and will release readily. Longtails are good eating if bled straight away.
