Albacore are fast, schooling tuna prized for their mild white meat. They roam cooler offshore waters than most other tuna and are a major target on the U.S. West Coast, with runs also occurring in parts of the Atlantic. Trolling is the go-to way to find albacore schools.
Where to find albacore
On the West Coast, albacore are commonly targeted from California to Washington in summer and fall, often far offshore along temperature breaks. They tend to favor cooler water than yellowfin, typically somewhere in the low to mid 60s °F. Watch SST charts for edges in that range. See using SST charts.
Best albacore trolling lures
- Cedar plugs: a classic, simple lure that albacore hit consistently.
- Feathers and jigs: small feathered lures in the 4- to 6-inch range.
- Small resin heads and bullets: compact lures that track straight at speed.
- Swimbaits and diving plugs: useful when fish are slightly deeper.
Albacore usually feed on small bait like anchovies and sauries, so keep lures on the smaller side.
Colors
- Purple and black
- Blue and white
- Green and yellow ("Mexican flag" patterns are popular)
- Natural brown and tan for cedar plugs
Trolling speed
Albacore are typically trolled at 6 to 8 knots. When you hook one, many crews keep moving briefly to see if more fish hit, then stop and switch to live bait or casting to hold the school.
Spread
Run several small lures close behind the boat, often on short lines, since albacore are not usually line-shy. Many West Coast boats run five to eight lines when searching for schools.
Tackle
20 to 40 lb class tackle works well. Albacore make strong runs but are not as large as yellowfin or bluefin.
False albacore are different
False albacore, or little tunny, are a different species found closer to shore. See false albacore trolling lures.
Shop our small resin lures and bullets for albacore spreads.
