Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Atlantic Bonito have a similar body shape to the closely related tuna species.

The back transitions from blue to green and the undersides are silvery-white.

The most distinguishing characteristic of the Atlantic Bonito is the series of dark lines (stripes) that extend from the fish’s back to just below the lateral line.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Common
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Generally an oceanic species, the Atlantic Bonito is common in shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Normally it travels in large schools. They feed primarily on fishes, squids, and shrimps.
Did You Know?	Atlantic Bonitos have a small mouth with prominent teeth and are known to be cannibalistic.
Common Lures and Baits	Most anglers prefer trolling for Atlantic Bonito. Because they are surface feeders, you want to keep your bait just below the surface while trolling. Shiny spoons and feather jigs work best for Atlantic Bonito. Some anglers prefer light casting tackle with fish imitating lures.
Typical Sizes Caught	Atlantic Bonito are commonly caught in the range of 3 to 8 pounds by anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Atlantic Bonito are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award, but a large specimen may qualify for an “Unusual Species” award.
Delaware State Record	Atlantic Bonito are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

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