There aren't too many sights in fishing that get the heart pumping like a school of longtail tuna tearing bait apart on the surface.
When 'longies' push bait to the top, everything happens quickly. Birds start dipping, bait sprays across the water and tuna can appear and disappear in seconds. It's visual, fast-paced fishing and one of the most exciting ways to target these hard-fighting pelagics.
But just because the fish are feeding on top doesn't mean they're easy to catch. Longtail tuna can be incredibly fussy, especially when they're locked into chasing tiny bait, and a poor approach can shut a school down before you've even made a cast.
The key is finding the right fish, getting into position quietly and presenting a lure in a way that makes them react.
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Look for Life on the Surface
Finding feeding longies is all about keeping your eyes peeled. As you cover water, look for anything that seems out of place. Diving birds, bait spraying, random splashes or a patch of nervous, rippled water can all signal tuna feeding near the surface.
Birds are one of the biggest giveaways because they're often visible from much farther away than the fish themselves. A few birds hovering or suddenly diving in the same area is always worth investigating.
Once you find activity, don't immediately charge straight in. Take a moment to watch what the school is doing and work out which direction they're travelling.
Approach the School Quietly
Surface-feeding tuna can be incredibly easy to spook. Racing straight up to a surface bust-up before pulling the throttle back is often enough to send the whole school down: these fish can hear a gear change a long way off, and that can be enough to shut the feeding activity down. Instead, try to predict where the fish are heading and position the boat ahead of them.
Longtail schools will often move consistently into the wind or current while feeding. If you can work out that direction, you can get into position and let the fish come towards you.
Whenever possible, make your final approach quietly. Cutting the motor and drifting into range can be far more effective than chasing fish from behind. The aim is simple... get close enough to cast without the tuna knowing you're there.
Cast Past the Fish
Once you're in range, avoid dropping your lure directly into the middle of the school. A better option is to cast beyond the feeding tuna and bring the lure back through the front of the action: there are often a few fish feeding at the head of the school, and retrieving through their path of travel is often the key to hooking up straight away. This gives your presentation a more natural entry into the strike zone and can also help avoid spooking the fish.
Long casts are a big advantage here. The farther you can stay away from the school while still reaching the fish, the better. That makes a longer spinning rod, quality braid and a lure with enough weight to cast well handy when chasing longies off the top.
Match the Hatch
Longtail tuna can become completely focused on one particular bait size. If they're feeding on tiny baitfish, a large lure might get ignored no matter how perfectly you place it. Small metal slugs and compact jigs are excellent options when the bait is small because they cast a mile while still keeping a relatively small profile.
If the fish are chasing larger bait, small to medium stickbaits can be another cracking option. Having several lure sizes ready to go makes it much easier to change quickly when the fish aren't responding.
The important thing is to pay attention to what's happening in front of you. If you can see the bait, try to choose something that is reasonably close in size and profile.
Skipping Metals Across the Top
One of the simplest and most effective ways to target surface-feeding longies is with a fast-moving metal lure that can be 'skipped' across the surface.
Cast beyond the school, keep your rod tip high and start winding quickly as soon as the lure lands. The goal is to have the lure skipping, darting or splashing across the surface. This retrieve can be especially effective when the fish are being fussy, giving them less chance to investigate the size of the lure. Rather than studying your presentation, they have to react, and that can trigger a reaction bite as the lure flashes through the feeding zone. Your eyes play a big role here. Watch the lure during the retrieve and adjust your speed to keep it working where you want it. If the lure keeps sinking below the surface, lift your rod tip higher or increase your winding speed.
Use Stickbaits for a Bigger Profile
When longies are chasing larger bait or refusing smaller metals, stickbaits can be a great change-up. Smaller stickbaits can be burned quickly across the top, creating plenty of flash and movement, while larger models can sometimes draw an aggressive reaction from bigger fish.
A fast surface retrieve is often a good starting point when the tuna are actively busting up. The key is keeping the lure moving. Longies are built for speed, so don't be afraid to wind quickly. If a fish wants it, it generally won't have much trouble catching it.
Speed Can Trigger the Bite
One of the biggest mistakes when surface fishing for tuna is slowing the lure down too much. When longies are feeding hard, speed can work in your favour. A fast-moving lure looks like a baitfish trying to escape and gives the tuna very little time to decide whether it looks perfect.
This can be particularly useful if you can't exactly match the bait they're feeding on. Rather than giving the fish time to study your lure, keep it moving fast enough to force a quick decision – often that reaction bite is exactly what you're looking for.
Have More Than One Surface Option Ready
Longtail tuna can change their mood incredibly quickly. A metal jig might get eaten on one school, while the next pack refuses it completely but climbs all over a stickbait.
If you've got enough room, having a couple of rods rigged with different surface presentations can save valuable time.
For example, you might have:
A lighter spin outfit with a small metal jig
A medium spin outfit with a smaller stickbait
A heavier outfit carrying a larger stickbait
That lets you change lure size and profile almost instantly without stopping to re-rig while the fish are still on top.
Have Your Drag Ready
Longtail tuna don't muck around once they eat. A fish can hit a lure at full speed and immediately tear line from the reel, so make sure your drag is set before you make the cast.
A drag that's too tight can quickly result in pulled hooks or broken line, particularly during that explosive first run. It also pays to check your leader and knots regularly. Repeated long casts combined with hard-running tuna can put plenty of pressure on your connections.
Stay Mobile and Read the Fish
Surface fishing for longtail tuna is rarely about sitting in one place and waiting. You might spend plenty of time covering water before suddenly finding the ocean erupting in front of you. When that happens, resist the urge to rush.
Watch the birds. Watch the bait. Work out which way the tuna are moving and try to get ahead of them. Once you're in position, make a long cast past the school, keep the lure moving quickly and be ready for everything to happen at once – because when a longie climbs all over a lure skipping across the top, there aren't many better bites to watch in fishing.
Topwater Tuna FAQs
What is the best time of year to catch longtail tuna?
Longtail tuna are often more active near the surface when baitfish are abundant and water temperatures are warmer, but the best timing varies by location. Local bait activity is usually one of the biggest clues. These fish are often present in their geographic ranges through winter; however, they tend to feed on deeper bait sources during these times.
How far offshore do you need to go to catch longtail tuna?
There's no set distance. Longtail tuna can often be found relatively close to the coast when baitfish are concentrated in the area, so it pays to focus on signs of surface activity rather than simply heading farther offshore. They can be targeted from rocky headlands when the bait and current push closer to the shore during certain parts of the year.
What size reel is best for longtail tuna?
A medium-sized spin reel with good line capacity, a smooth drag and enough stopping power for long runs is a solid starting point for most longtail fishing. A good starting point is a 5000-sized reel.
Can you catch longtail tuna from the shore?
Yes, in some locations longtail tuna come within casting range of rock ledges, headlands and other land-based spots, although boat fishing generally gives you more freedom to follow moving schools.
Are longtail tuna good to eat?
Yes. Longtail tuna can be excellent eating when looked after properly, so bleed and chill the fish quickly if you plan to keep one.
About the author
Tackling Australia
Tackling Australia is made up of “Nicko” Fewtrell and “Nige” Webster — two fishing tragics who’ve been hooked since before they could walk. Nige is a long-time fishing journalist and regular on the Aussie fishing comp scene; and Nicko is a fishing presenter, FNQ-based guide and boat builder. Together, they’re a formidable fishing team, with all the expert knowledge you could ask for
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