Difference between a Yellowtail and a Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowtail off San Diego and Baja often get confused with Tuna. The main difference between the two fish is the California Yellowtail is a Jack and a cousin to the Amber Jack on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico and the Yellowfin Tuna is a Tuna.

The Yellowfin Tuna is just one of many tuna's targeted from San Diego based sport boats. Bluefin, Big Eye, Albacore and Skipjack are all species of tuna in the same family as the Yellowfin (locally called "Ahi" in Hawaii) targeted from late Spring to Fall with best action usually from July to Sept. Large Yellowfin Tuna 200+lbs are referred to as "Cows" by the long range community and are usually caught as far north as Magdelena "Mag" Bay off the Baja Coast between Fall and Spring.

The explosive fighting Yellowtail peak season is summer months but early Spring Yellowtail from Southern California boats is not uncommon. 1/2 day and 3/4 day sportfishing party boats and start targeting these fish as soon as the sportfishing boats start seeing signs of surface action big game fish as just happened in early April 2011. Both Yellowfin Tuna and Yellowtail are excellent eating both as Sashimi as Wasabi or Hamachi. For more info on Yellowtail Catching Tips I wrote a article about them here- Rob -