Family: Tuna and wahoo

The dogtooth tuna (or Doggie) is a reef pelagic enjoying deep and cool waters. It is probably the most famous fish of the Indo-pacific among international spearo community because of its current rarity, difficulty in capturing and exceptional fighting abilitiesdefense.

The doggy is recognizable by its stocky body shapefigure (adults), its large eyes, the white spot at the base of its tail and especially its protruding lower jaw and big teeth clearly visible when it opens its mouth.

It tirelessly patrols steep and deep, or gradual, rock and sand drop offs. It is more common when the waters cool down from 28-30°C to 22-25°C, that is to say from May to December with local variations. Peak season is from July to October. Juveniles are visible all year round. It is usually found at dusk, after 16.00, or early in the morning until 9.00. The darker it is, the higher the chances of seeing one. In an increasingly dark water, the connoisseur locates the dog-tooth tuna by the white spot at the base of its tail. It is useful to observe the movements of the baitfish, as for amberjacks. If all the bait shoot upsquirt  all at once, it is probably that there is a big one around.

Sometimes, depending on the current, there may be passages in the middle of the day. It is almost imperative that there is a sustained current, unless there is a short slack between two tides. Juveniles are often in schools and large individuals, solitary. Schools of mixed size fish are sometimes observed.

The classical flasher is ineffective; however some specialists have developed the technique of “the baron”, a soft plasticflexible lure immersed with the hunter that can setfix and attract patrollingup tunas from the deep. that patrol in the deep.

The dog tooth tuna is very powerful indeed and it is strongly advised not to shoot with a reel fish larger than 15kg, especially if there is coral structure on the bottom or if the depth exceeds roughly half the capacity of the reel. The doggie will do anything it can to reach the coral, entangle the line and tear the shaft out of its body, the whole set-up staying well stuck deep down beyond your reach. The preferred set-up is still the breakaway, or the direct attachment of the speargun to the float. The float must be at least 35l with a bungee preferably short and stiff, such as a normal 16mm rubber. A 25kg dog tooth tuna will sink the 35l buoy. The slip-tip is very strongly recommended, because this fish with its very strongviolent defense tears easily. It is easier to approach the big tuna from above. The smaller ones can be shot from profile, or even from below. It is a predator of the reef so it can also rove along the drop offs and surprise you near the structure. In heavily fished areas, like Bali, the big ones are wary, deep and distant. Be careful not to be dragged into deep, swirling areas. In more pristine areas this fish is less skittishweary and can even be easy to land if the current conditions are favorable with theand if the suitable gearequipment is suitable.

I did not mention sharks because in Indonesia there are not many are left. In more protected places, such as Australia or New Caledonia, the rules of the game are different, and one must be able to stun the tuna to prevent the shark pack from tearing it into pieces.

Dog tooth tuna is delicious raw or cooked. Be careful, however, of the frequent presence of parasites in the abdomen, to be extracted one by one. For sashimi, it is therefore safer to freeze the fish first. The dog tooth tuna, despite its pelagic looks, is also a reef fish threatened by overfishing, especially by jig fishermen but also spearos. Capture in moderation.

The yellowfin tuna is a seasonal circumtropical fish that can be encountered from May to December. This is of course a very popular gamefish. In Indonesia it cohabits with bigeye tuna, with which it is sometimes confused. It can exceed 150kg, less than the bluefin tuna but more than the dog tooth tuna.

It is recognized by its large yellow fins, similar to sickles, and a golden band along the body.

Juveniles have short fins. In adulthood, the dorsal and pectoral fin grow to the size of a scythe, and when the fish is even older (over 100kg), a filament develops at the end of these two fins. Its length is a pretty good indicator of the age / size of the fish.

Sometimes in small groups, often in very fast, big schools, the yellowfin tuna is resolutely pelagic and will not be seen near the coast, at least in Indonesia.

It is a very strong fighter and its capture requires (ideally) a slip tip and float for specimens above 15kg.

The younger fish swim very fast and require a maneuverable weapon. For the big ones, one needs a powerful speargun and wait for the fish to come close by.

Yellowfin tuna are usually hunted on FADs, in open water near bait balls (often in association with dolphins), or in open water with chumming (technique at Ascension Island). At the FAD it is also interesting to chum.

To begin with, one has to immerse oneself by pointing at the sinking bait chunk. The tuna will move at the speed of light and the targeted specimen must be shot at exactly the right moment.

Around the bait balls, it is necessary to anticipate the movement of the schools and to immerse oneself in midwater, while waiting for the passage of the pack. With a little luck it will come to you and it will be just necessary to wait until the fish comes close by before pulling the trigger.

It is an excellent fish cooked or raw.

The wahoo is a circumtropical pelagic. In Indonesia, it is almost never seen on the reef.

The few times that I encountered them, it was either in the blue, upstream of islets, or on deep pinnacles with a flasher, or under FADs or floating debris, together with dolphinfish. Surprisingly, it is rare to encounter individuals over a dozen kilos.

It can be met all year, at any time, including mid-day.

Although it looks like spanish mackerel in the distance one cannot confuse them after one’s seen them once. The wahoo is much bluer, more pelagic.

The wahoo is THE fish for float / bungee / slip-tip because of the speed of the initial rush and the fragility of its flesh. Without a slip-tip, aim imperatively the spine in the rear zone, more resistant.

After one or two very powerful rushes, the wahoo weakens and comes to the surface almost dead. Beware then of its very sharp dentition, including after landing it, during the handling of the dead fish; accidents are not uncommon.

The wahoo is delicious raw or cooked but because of the small size of the specimens encountered, I do not shoot often because at 3-5kg it is not decent. On FADs I was reported quite reputable catches. That said, for fans of the wahoo, it is better to change destination.

The oriental bonito is a seasonal fish that can be observed from May to December. It is highly sought after by local traditional fishermen.

Sometimes in small groups, often in very fast big shoals, the eastern bonito is one of those fishes that brighten your day.

Similar to the European bonito sarda pelamis, it is very energetic and a poorly shot fish will eventually tear.

As with all schooling fish, the key is a maneuverable speargun to be able to aim at a specific individual in the school and shoot a few centimeters ahead of the point of impact.

Its flesh is very red and a little heavy but acceptable. A good reward for your pilot.