Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna – Quick Guide

Have you been wondering about Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna? Which one is better? In this post, we are going to discuss the answer through various traits of each fish. 

Tuna is one of the most sought-after meals in today’s globe. It not only tastes wonderful, but it is also excellent for your health. Look for bluefin, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna if you want to take popular dishes of tuna.

But there is also albacore tuna that’s referred to as “white meat.” This tuna is the only one of the seven species that has the whitest flesh. People at the grocery store may refer to white tuna as “fancy white” or “basic white.” This might explain why it costs more than regular tuna.

The fancy white tuna is the second-largest fish captured by commercial fishermen in the United States. This species is mostly found in the eastern Pacific Ocean by fishermen. Yellowfin tuna frequently become normal tuna as a result of the massive volume of fish harvested.

You’ll discover the distinctions between these two fascinating aquatic animals here.

 Similarities Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna

They are have the nearly same size and weight. They both are the members of the tuna family, and are among the most sought-after fish in the culinary world.

 Differences Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna

First and foremost, let’s understand the latin name differences first. Yellowfin Tuna  (Thunnus albacares) and Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) . Yellowfin tuna is also known as albacore in some parts of the world (namely Portugal and Brazil).

We know how confusing it can be. But, it is only the beginning.

The fancy tuna is known as Longfin Tuna in Canada and South Africa. People often mistake it with Longtail tuna, while they are completely different from each other.

 Appearance & Size

At a glance, they appear the same. But the body size of albacore and yellowfin tuna is not the same.

Alalunga fishes are not as large as Yellowfins. When captured, it may weigh up to 180 kilos (approximately 50-70 pounds).

It is easily identified by its large pelvic fin that extends all the way to the end of its tail. The fish’s scientific name is Thunnus alalunga, which translates to “long-winged tuna.” It’s on the bottom of the fish, immediately behind the second dorsal fin. The fins of white tuna are extremely long. They pass via the second dorsal fin. Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna pelvic fins are not the same, however they do have distinct forms.

The Yellowfin tuna fishes are distinguished by a massive yellow dorsal fin and a similarly massive yellow anal fin. When a human reaches a certain age, its dorsal and anal fins resemble a sickle. This fin is short and grey-blue in hue.

There are many more of them in the sea. Alalunga juveniles are sometimes misidentified as larger bigeye tuna by those who are unfamiliar with them.

They are dark metallic blue on the outside and silver on the inside, with 20 vertical lines on each side. The fish has a yellow-green stripe on its side. The albacore fish have a dark blue back. On their bellies, they have silvery white color.

 Habitat and Distribution

Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna are two of the most frequent types of tuna.  These fish may be found all over the world. The most prevalent are the latter one, which like to reside in regions with a lot of water above them. They like to swim together because both species prefer to be in groups of similar-sized fish.

Albacore tuna have been discovered as far north as Washington State on the west coast of the United States. They came all the way from California and Oregon. These two locations are in Europe and can be found there. Fishing both fishes is popular in both Japan and New Zealand.

 Albacore Tuna Habitat and distribution

Albacore tuna can live in a broad range of conditions. They thrive in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates and can be found in saltwater or marine areas. The Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans are all included in this category. They typically lay their eggs between July and October, when most fisherman target these species.

White tuna juveniles are more picky about the water temperature they prefer — 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit — so keep that in mind if you want to catch any. If you’re hunting for bigger fancy fish, keep an eye out for temperatures ranging from 57 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Yellowfin Habitat and distribution

Yellowfin Longfinned tuna is less common than tuna. The average depth is 330 feet, however they have been discovered as deep as 3,800 feet in the past. The eastern Pacific coast, from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta, is home to a swarm of yellowfin tuna. These sea animals may be found along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to North Carolina.

They  are drawn to several mid-ocean islands. The fishes frequently visit the Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, Catalina Island, the Canary Islands, and the Azores. These tuna fishes may be found in the Indian and Pacific oceans, which include South Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and New Zealand.

How to catch

Okay, so you have known how to distinguish between Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna, but what about catching them?

Fishing Albacore

Albacore Fishermen from all over the globe come from all over the world to buy fresh tuna whenever they can get their hands on it. They stand out in the water thanks to their large pectoral fins. The majority of their food consists of small baitfish and squids.

Every fish of this type contains muscles. They’ll battle until they’re exhausted, and they can run for kilometers. They aren’t very enormous tuna, but they’re still a powerful prey for anglers. Both spin and traditional tackle work well for catching the fish rays. A 30-pound rig should suffice for bait or lure fishing while trolling, which requires a larger setup.

To capture them, both bait and lure are utilized. Trolling is the most frequent way to discover fish, and chumming tiny baitfish brings them closer to the boat. Then, to encourage them, bait might be utilized. It is critical to get the trolled fish into the boat because the school will follow once it is unhooked. To diminish their visibility, use a fluorocarbon leader. It is also resistant to abrasion. 

Anglers can locate and capture fish by using soft plastic swimbaits or metal jigs such as Megabaits. Anchovies are a popular fishing bait in California. When anchovies are not easily available, sardines are a great replacement. My favorites are large anchovies and sardines.  

Before proceeding, it is great idea to talk with your angler community first. It will be much better if you have known locals who can guide and help you to find the good fishing zone. After all, people who are familiar with the fishing area will have much better chance to successfully catch their prey than the newcomers.

Fishing Yellowfin

Yellowfin tuna travel a long distance during the course of their lives. These fish are only found in the eastern Pacific and are mostly consumed in Mexico. Furthermore, Panama featured a handful of magnificent fish weighing more than 200 pounds.

They compete with the rest of the tuna population for size. They don’t normally leap when cornered, although we have seen them do so to grab a lure or bait. When they get near to the boat, they begin swimming in huge circles and spinning sideways, making it difficult to draw them in. Even with the greatest fishing equipment, it’s tough to catch larger fish rapidly. They’re a tasty species of fish.

This aquatic animal is a difficult adversary to deal with. They are tough and have a lot of stamina since they are built for speed. They’ll dive deep and lean their bodies sideways if you have enough line on your reel, making every crank worthwhile. Although they are still biting, you should take a break after a few huge ones. The size of your fishing equipment should correspond to the size of your target fish.

It is possible to throw lures into a school of hungry fish. Poppers are a great tool for catching them. They were discovered on both chugger lures in a “pop-pop-pause” pattern.

Tuna prefer circle hooks over other types of hooks. Tip the rod in the direction of the fish, engage the reel, and let the circular hook glide into the fish’s mouth corner.. Fish cannot reject circular hooks after they have been fixed.

Consult with your anglers community before proceeding to pick the fishing zone.  Your chance will be much better if you have an angler pair who has been familiar with the zone. 

Taste – Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna

Albacore is one of the most delectable fish on the market, with a moderate flavor and light texture. Yellowfin and skipjack tuna have a richer, more robust flavor than the latter, which are softer and more delicate. White tuna is the ideal option for people who like a less “fishy” flavor; light tuna is the best option for those who prefer a more “fishy” flavor.

It’s difficult to say if the tuna’s flavor can be compared to swordfish’s. It has more taste than white one but is a little thinner than bluefin. Freshly gathered fishes are bright red, but after boiling, they become a brown to grayish-tan color, keep their juiciness, and turn into large flakes of muscovado sugar.

Cost

The cost of Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna products can be different. 

Yellowfin Tuna is expected to cost $3 per pound in 2020.

Albacore items and delivery cost between $1.49 and $1.60 per pound, depending on the amount purchased.

So, why do so many people choose canned fish to steaks? Simply explained: canned tuna is manufactured from alalunga tuna (a smaller and more plentiful variety than the most frequent fish that people eat). As with most things, it all boils down to supply and demand. Because there are more fancy whitetuna in the waters, they are less costly than latter tuna tuna. 

 Sustainability

Although bigeye and yellowfin tuna cannot be sustained, albacore tuna can. Skipjack tuna is a fast-growing species that is still extensively available around the world, accounting for the majority of canned tuna showcased in supermarkets. It is the best option for the majority of folks. What’s worrying about this is how it came to be discovered in the first place.

Some sources of the species are better for the environment than others. Examine the feedback. The white tuna has a bad image when it comes to sustainability, but there are plenty of other options. The greatest alternatives for fisherman are pole and line or troll fishing for albacore, or longlining for them in the North Atlantic that has been approved by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Certain tuna species have been overfished as a result of overfishing, but not others. The two most prevalent types of canned tuna are skipjack tuna. These two species have huge and stable populations in the Western and Central Pacific Oceans, respectively (WCPO). Skipjack has also established sustainable stocks in the Indian Ocean, according to the report.

Which is Better?

 All tuna has a lot of protein and omega-3 fatty acids while being low in saturated fat and calories. Albacore, on the other hand, has more omega-3 fatty acids than Skipjack or Yellowfin, which explains why it has more fat and calories.

 As mentioned, the white tuna has less fishy smell and taste. If you  are not fond of the strong taste and umami of the tuna, you could consider the white type one for the alternative. Meanwhile, yellowfin tuna is a much better option for those who are used to tasting the strong umami of tuna. All in all, it will be all down to your personal choice.

 Which one do you prefer between Albacore vs Yellowfin Tuna? Let us know in the comment section below. 

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