Albacore
Thunnus alalunga
Also called Longfin, Longfin tuna.
How to tell it
Pectoral fins absurdly long, sweeping back past the anal fin; deep-blue back, chalk belly.
- Not a bigeye tuna? That one stockier with a bigger eye; pectorals never reach that far. (Bigeye Tuna)
- Not a yellowfin tuna? That one yellow finlets and shorter pectorals. (Yellowfin Tuna)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlabamaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| ConnecticutFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| DelawareFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic)Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf)Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| LouisianaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| MaineFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| MarylandFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| MassachusettsFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| MississippiFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| New HampshireFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| New JerseyFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| New YorkFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| Rhode IslandFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| South CarolinaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| TexasFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
| VirginiaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS 2025 · checked | Open |
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 68 lb 14 oz | 2012 · Atlantis Canyon | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Delaware | 80 lb | 1987 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 78 lb | 2025 · Hudson Canyon | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 · MD Atlantic division record |
| Massachusetts | 65 lb 6 oz | 2020 · Edgartown | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Jersey | 78 lb 2.4 oz | 2022 · Hudson Canyon | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 81 lb 2 oz | 2011 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 62 lb | 2001 · Off Oregon Inlet | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 37 lb 4 oz | 1976 · Charleston | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 73 lb | 2020 · Washington Canyon | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
The 'white meat' tuna — mild and firm, excellent seared.
In the app
Point the camera at a albacore and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about albacore
How do you tell albacore from bigeye tuna?
Albacore has this: Pectoral fins absurdly long, sweeping back past the anal fin; deep-blue back, chalk belly.. Bigeye Tuna stockier with a bigger eye; pectorals never reach that far.
What is the record albacore?
81 lb 2 oz in New York (2011). Other states’ records are in the table.