Albacore

     Thunnus alalunga or Albacore are part of the tuna family. The Albacore's body is the perfect shape to make this fish a speed demon. The Albacores fins are both yellow, but the first fin is darker than the second. Albacore have silver sides and a dark blue back (Albacore tuna 1). The average Albacore can weigh anywhere between 20 and 45 pounds. The current world record for Albacore weighed 88 pounds and 2 ounces. 
     Albacore are the easiest tuna to find and catch, making Albacore the most fished for tuna in the world. Trolling and Chumming are the two best techniques to use when fishing for Albacore. Unlike most fish, when fishing for Albacore do not cast out many different types of lures. The more you limit their choices, the more likely your are to catch an Albacore. One of the reasons Albacore are fished for more than other tuna is the amount you can catch in one day. When fishing for other types of tuna you can catch 2 or 3 and that is considered a good day. When fishing for Albacore it is not uncommon to get 10 to 20 on the boat (Albacore (longfin tuna) Fishing Tips 1).
     When fishing for Albacore the distance you need to travel on your boat will depend on your area. If you are in an area known for Albacore you will most likely find them within 10 miles. When you are out fishing keep an eye out for birds diving and hovering over the water, this is a dead giveaway that there is fish. Albacore are known to be found in warm waters, and Albacore are also known for following the warm waters all around the world (Albacore (longfin tuna) Fishing Tips 1). 
Albacore are not long but most of their weight comes from the meat on their stomach. Here is a recipe courtesy of "albatuna.com"


Ingredients

• Three pounds albacore tuna cut into ½" thick steaks
• 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• 1½ tablespoons toasted wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon dried sage
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1½ teaspoon finely minced garlic
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 teaspoons light cream
• 1½ tablespoons canola oil
• 4½ tablespoons butter

Directions

Mix all dry ingredients in a plastic bag. Dip troll-caught albacore in mixture of beaten eggs and cream. Put a few pieces of fish in the bag and shake until covered.
Preheat over to 450 . Using a 10 x 15" glass dish, put oil and butter in dish and place in oven until butter melts. Bake fish about 20 minutes or until it is flaky. Turn over once. Serve on warm platter with wedges of lemon dipped in parsley.

Works Cited

"Albacore (longfin Tuna) Fishing Tips. How to Catch Albacore Tuna Revealed..." "Tuna Fishing" Learn How to Catch Tuna! Yellowfin, Bluefin, Longfin, Longtail, Albacore, Big Eye. Web. 03 Nov. 2010. <http://tuna-fishing.org/howto-catch-albacore-longfin-tuna.htm>.

"Albacore Tuna." ARKive. Web. 3 Nov. 2010. <http://www.arkive.org/albacore-tuna/thunnus-alalunga/#text=Description>.

"Albacore Tuna Trolling Tips | Eat Me Lures.com." Saltwater Fishing Lures | Eat Me Lures.com. Web. 03 Nov. 2010. <http://eatmelures.com/trolling-tips>.

Atuna.com. Web. 03 Nov. 2010. <http://www.atuna.com/species/species_datasheets.htm>.

"Crunchy Crusted Baked Albacore." Pacific Troll-Caught Albacore Tuna. Web. 03 Nov. 2010. <http://www.albatuna.com/Recipes/MossLanding/MCrusted.htm>.