Bonito Fishing| Tips, Size, and Behavior Guide

If you love fast, hard-fighting fish, you need to target bonito. These things are like the race cars of the ocean—quick, aggressive, and full of attitude. Nicknamed the “leaping tuna,” bonito tears through temperate and tropical waters worldwide. Their dark stripes and flashy silver bellies make them easily identifiable. And trust me, once you hook one, you’ll crave that fight again and again.

Bonito, do not mess around. They grow up to 30 inches and can weigh over 20 pounds. That means they’re big enough to give you a serious workout but not so huge you need a crane to haul them in. Perfect for sport fishing. Perfect for bragging rights.

In this post, I’ll be sharing valuable tips for catching bonito fish, along with insights into their size and behavior.

What is bonito fish?

Bonito is part of the Scombridae family of fish. They’re medium-sized predators with sleek, powerful bodies. These fish pack at great speed and fight harder than their size suggests. They are closely related to the mackerel, tuna, and Spanish mackerel. Locals nickname them Bonito.

Moreover, unlike the other species, Bonito have stripes down their back. Bonito sizes up depending on where they live. Atlantic fish top out at 30 inches (like a baseball bat), while their Pacific cousins bulk up to 40 inches (think a kindergarten kid’s height!). Pacific Bonito can double the weight of their Atlantic siblings, reaching 25 pounds of pure muscle.

While these fish aren’t small, their manageable size makes them ideal for anglers using lighter tackle.

Bonito fish size

Bonito packs a punch even at just 3 feet long. But stand them beside a hulking tuna, and they look like the ‘fun size’ candy bar of the sea! Bonito fish have relatively large eyes compared to their head size.

Bonito are migratory fish that live in schools or flocks. They usually swim offshore, between 80 and 200 meters deep. As they grow older, they head farther out.

Bonito usually grows up to 30 inches, about the size of a baseball bat, and packs on up to 12 pounds of muscle. Pacific bonito sometimes bulk up even bigger, like a Thanksgiving turkey of the sea! However, some can grow larger, reaching up to 40 inches (100 cm) in length and weighing up to 25 pounds (11 kg). 

How to Catch A Bonito

How to catch the Bonito, one of the most thrilling fish out there. No matter how good you are at fishing, I have some ideas that will help you catch these fast fish.

Bonito are fast, furious predators. Just imagine the chaos when they slam into a bait ball! In fishing for Bonito, we have several effective techniques at our disposal. Even today, bonito fishing stays pretty old-school. Most anglers stick to two primary methods. For Bonito, troll small feathers, spoons, or deep-diving plugs do the trick. The other? Casting and reeling in small metal jigs or soft-plastic baits.

Minnow plugs (e.g., Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow Deep Diver)

Trolling feathers

Clark Spoons with drails or planers

Flashy, silver-colored lures

Minnow plugs (e.g., Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow Deep Diver)

When Bonito are feeding on the surface, casting lures or jigs can be highly productive.

Recommended lures: shiny spoons (e.g., Krocadiles), soft plastics (Albie Snax, 4-inch Ron-Z)

Moderate retrieve speed, keeping lures near the surface

Use white and silver color patterns.

Tackle and Gear:

Light spinning rods (7-7½ feet) rated for ½-1 ounce lures

Braided line (20-30 lb test) with fluorocarbon leaders (12-20 lb test)

Reels with level wind and lever drag for optimal line management

Troll between 4 and 6 knots, but here’s the kicker. Bonito strikes best when you ease off slightly, while False Albacore wants that extra mph. Think of it like dating: Bonito prefers a slow dance, and Albacore wants to rush to the buffet! Chumming is also an effective way to bring Bonito to the boat, however. Aggressive feeders are not easily scared off.

Bonito fishing lures

Bonito are often caught trolling shiny Rapala-type plugs. Once located, they can be cast with shiny spoons such as Krocadiles.

Prime Locations and Seasons for Bonito Fishing

You’ll often find them hanging around offshore shoals, humps, rips, or any kind of underwater structure. Sometimes, they even show up just a mile or two off the beach, especially when schools of baitfish move closer to shore.

They don’t always stay in the same spots year after year. That’s the tricky part. One season, Bonito might flood your favorite hotspot. The next year? Crickets. That’s why it’s helpful to stay informed. Check local fishing reports, talk to other anglers, or just keep your ears open at the bait shop. The fish move, so we have to move with them.

Bonito loves warm waters. You’ll find them in the Mediterranean—especially near Barcelona and Mallorca. They also cruise the Atlantic, both the east and west sides. The best months? March through September in warmer seas. But if you’re in New England, wait till mid-July. The bite heats up in August and lasts through October.

Specific Locations:

Mediterranean

Barcelona and Mallorca deliver insane action from July to November. Troll near shore as these fish attack like they’ve got a vendetta.

Atlantic (East and West)

The Gulf of Mexico pumps out trophy-sized fish. Cape Cod and Long Island serve up summer slams. Over in Europe, the Canaries, Madeira, and Azores become battlegrounds for Bonito.

But wait, Portugal, Spain, and Croatia? Their coastlines launch ambush attacks. Even Northern Africa gets in on the action.

Panama

Panama offers bonito fishing year-round. But calmer waves make March to September the peak season.

New England (USA)

These speedsters appear in mid-July and remain until October. Want the hot action? August is prime time—Bonito hit lures like kids swinging at a piñata.

Factors Affecting Bonito’s Presence

Calmer sea conditions during the warmer months (March to September) are ideal for fishing for Bonito. Bonito likes warm water. When the temperature changes with the seasons, they move. You might find them in one spot during summer, then they’re gone by fall.

The presence of small baitfish, shrimp, and squid is crucial for attracting Bonito.

Is Bonito a Good Fish to Eat?

Yes, Bonito is generally considered a good fish to eat. It has a firm, red, and flavorful meat, often described as a mix between Spanish mackerel and tuna. Chefs serve Bonito as sashimi, grill it over flames, or bake it to perfection.

Flavor and Texture:

This fish has a moderate fat content, and that oiliness really kicks up its flavor!

Some say Bonito has a stronger, fishier flavor than your average catch. It’s not love at first bite for everyone, but like black coffee or weird cheese, it grows on you. Even Captain Experiences says it’s an acquired taste.

Preparation and Cooking:

Bonito is often enjoyed raw as sashimi, pan-seared, or flash-grilled, with the center left raw. 

Bonito’s a triple threat: 

Throw it on the grill, roast it to perfection, or pickle it like a pro. Bonito put up a fight in the kitchen, too. Ask a rookie cook.

Yep, even Reddit threads from MasterChef Australia fans rant about it. It’s not tilapia. This fish demands respect.

Potential Considerations:

Bonito is not as commonly marketed as tuna in all countries, and it may not be suitable for those who are not fond of intense fishy flavors.

Is Bonito Red Meat?

Bonito has red flesh. The meat is solid, delicious, and reddish, like a blend of Spanish mackerel and tuna. The hue might range from pale pink to bright red, depending on the food and age, but it’s usually associated with red meat.

Is Bonito Fish a Tuna?

No, Bonito is not technically a tuna, though they are closely related and often mistaken for one another. While both belong to the tuna and mackerel family (Scombridae), Bonito (genus Sarda) is a distinct tribe of fish. They share similarities with tuna, including their streamlined body shape and fast swimming abilities, but they are not the same. 

Both Bonito and some tuna species, like skipjack tuna, have similar body shapes and can be difficult to distinguish. Japan often uses both bonito and skipjack tuna interchangeably to make katsuobushi (dried and smoked fish chunks). 

In some countries, Bonito may not be legally marketed as tuna. Example: Skipjack tuna, also known as Bonito in Japan, is a good example.

What is Bonito in Japanese Food

In Japanese cuisine, chefs use Bonito to make katsuobushi, dried, fermented, and smoked flakes packed with flavor.

These flakes are a staple ingredient, particularly in dashi, a flavorful broth that forms the base for many Japanese soups and sauces. 

Katsuobushi refers to the delightful Japanese delicacy made from dried bonito flakes. They take skipjack tuna, dry it out, let it ferment, and then smoke it. That’s how they create this incredibly flavorful ingredient!

Chefs use katsuobushi as a key ingredient to make dashi, a traditional Japanese broth that forms the base for many dishes.

Bonito flakes don’t stop at dashi. They dance on takoyaki, pile high on okonomiyaki, and even shine solo as a salty-umami sprinkle.

Bonito flakes are paper-thin, delicate, and have a distinct pinkish-brown color. They have a smoky, savory, and umami flavor that makes them a popular addition to Japanese dishes. To make bonito flakes, workers smoke and dry skipjack tuna. Then they ferment it. Finally, they shave the hard fish into thin flakes.

What is Bonito in ramen?

In ramen, Bonito refers to bonito flakes (katsuobushi), which are thin, shaved pieces of dried, cured skipjack tuna used to make dashi, the broth base for many Japanese dishes. These flakes have a distinct umami flavor and are often used as a garnish as well.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Dashi:

Dashi is a Japanese broth made from kombu seaweed and bonito flakes, providing a rich, savory flavor that’s a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, including ramen. 

Bonito Flakes:

Making katsuobushi isn’t a quick job. First, smoke the tuna. Then dry it until it’s as hard as wood. After that, let it ferment for months. Then shave off those savory flakes that make dashi sing.

Umami:

Bonito flakes are a source of umami, the fifth basic taste, which contributes to a savory meatiness in the broth. 

Use in Ramen:

You can use bonito flakes to make dashi. Which is the base for ramen broth, or can you use them as a garnish to add taste and texture?

Final thoughts

Bonito, don’t hold back. They smash bait and lures alike. Love shiny stuff? Toss a silver spoon and watch it hit. Chum the water? They’ll swarm your boat like it’s a free buffet.