The Pacific Bonito is a tuna-shaped fish with an elongated and pointed body, exhibiting a dark blue-violet color on its upper side and a metallic silver hue on its underside. Its back is adorned with several sloping lines, adding to its unique appearance. With scaled skin and no teeth on the vomer, this species showcases remarkable physical attributes. The first dorsal fin of the Pacific Bonito is fused with the second dorsal fin, which is longer than its head. Additionally, it possesses a series of six to eight finlets on its slender second dorsal surface, extending towards its anal fin.
Feeding primarily on fish and squid, the Pacific Bonito maintains a diverse diet. It utilizes its hunting prowess to capture its prey, making it a formidable game fighter fish. The maximum recorded length of the Pacific Bonito is approximately 40 inches, with an average weight of 25 pounds.
Culinary Delight: While not widely recognized as a food fish, the Pacific Bonito offers a culinary delight. In Japanese cuisine, it is often dried, fermented, and smoked to create bonito flakes, also known as Katsuobushi.
Schooling Behavior: Some Pacific Bonito fish exhibit a preference for living in small schools, while others form larger groups. Regardless of their schooling size, they display high levels of activity, constantly swimming in search of prey to satiate their seemingly endless appetite.
Avian Connections: Many Pacific Bonito species share an intimate relationship with seagulls. They are often found gathering in schools near the water's surface, creating a fascinating symbiotic bond between fish and bird.
Unique Markings: The Pacific Bonito stands out among other tuna-like fish in California due to its distinctive dark, slanted stripes along its back. These markings add to its allure and make it easily identifiable.
Spawning Behavior: The Pacific Bonito does not successfully spawn every year. When spawning does occur, it takes place primarily from late January to May in southern regions. The free-floating eggs of the Pacific Bonito hatch after approximately three days.
Fishing enthusiasts can engage in catching the Pacific Bonito year-round, with the best times for landing them typically falling between June and November. Various fishing techniques can be employed to target this species effectively. While purse seine fishing, which utilizes a fishing net or seine, is a popular method, other approaches such as gill nets, trawling, surface trolling, casting, jigging, and hook and line are also successful.
As migratory and pelagic fish, Pacific Bonito often feed on smaller pelagic fishes or squid near the water's surface. When utilizing the hook and line method, anglers have a wide array of bait and lure options. Given the Pacific Bonito's preference for fish and squid, live anchovies or small sardines prove to be highly effective baits. Lures such as bonito feathers alongside a cast-a-bubble or other surface floats create enticing commotion, attracting the fish and keeping the lure near the water's top. Alternatively, spoons have demonstrated their efficacy in recent times.
The Pacific Bonito boasts a vast range, found in various locations and frequently traveling in schools. They can be observed from inshore areas to approximately 100 miles offshore, with recorded depths of up to 361 feet. Their distribution spans from northern Vancouver Island to Mexico. These remarkable fish can also enter bays, especially those situated in warmer temperature water outlets.