IT’S ABOUT WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT WE catch
SMALL MOVES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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Being a Tuna Champion means doing it better
and knowing more about what you’re catching
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Ambassadors

Meet our Ambassadors, pick up some hot tips on the best fishing practices for SBT and even find out how to channel your inner chef. Let’s go!

All Ambassadors

Lee R

@leerayner @leeraynerfishing

Melbourne VIC

If you're going out to catch SBT, take the right gear. With super light tackle you have to fight them too long.

Lee R

Melbourne VIC

Most people would have two sets of treble hooks or event two singles on a lure, but it's better to use single hooks if you're letting SBT go. Our hook up rate is exactly the same when we run a single hook on the lure - and the fish don't get damaged.

I'd rather just keep one or two 20kg school fish we can deal with on the boat. Because if you can't kill them, bleed them, gut them and put them straight on ice it's just not worth keeping them.

Masaaki

@masaakisushi

Geeveston TAS

How long your bluefin lasts depends on how you handle it. If it's a well-handled iki jime fish, it can last more than 10 days in the fridge.

Masaaki

Geeveston TAS

You can tell if a fish has been flapping around on the deck - the muscles have been burning up, so the flesh is not as clear, you can see the blood in it and it doesn't taste as good. When you immediately use a spike to the brain, the fish stays still and the meat is better quality.

It is best to fillet it straight away in a clean environment, then chill it and let it rest for a day or two. That way you get the full flavour of the meat. There's many ways to eat bluefin. My favourite is as sashimi with fresh soy sauce and fresh wasabi, and I like to keep the cheeks and sear them for my breakfast!

Paul W & fam

@ifishtv @ifishchick @jetreef

Cranbourne VIC

I love fresh SBT - but look after that delicate flesh the second it hits the deck! Bleed and gut it then stuff it with ice to lower the core temp.

Paul W & fam

Cranbourne VIC

Eat as much of the fish as you can without freezing it. If I freeze it, I soak the fillets in marinade for 6-12 hours in the fridge, then vac-seal and freeze. It's almost as good as fresh and lasts at least 4 months without spoiling.

CRISTY: Once you find tuna on the sounder, keep working the area. You'll eventually get a bite window. It’s better than leaving fish to try and find fish. JET: Try to match the colour and size of lures to what the fish are feeding on at the time. The stomach contents of a fish you keep are a clue for your lure choice.

Shop like a Tuna Champion

Step out in style! Tuna Champion t-shirts don’t just look cool, they’re great quality and fit – and super comfy. Available in black or white, in unisex sizes S, M, L, XL and 2XL (size guide)

I want one

Get onboard with this LIMITED EDITION Reel Brand + Tuna Champion long-sleeve fishing shirt. It comes with a free t-shirt… and stocks are limited, so don’t miss out!

I want one

EVERY ORDER gets half-price postage within Australia, or discounted international postage, every day.

These links re-direct you to our Tuna Champions shopping page, currently hosted by UTAS.

Become a Tuna Champ - Take the tuna Pledge

I do solemnly swear to catch, handle, keep or release southern bluefin tuna as safely and humanely as possible – and to prepare it well, so no fish is wasted.

Tune up your tuna skills

Being a Tuna Champion means using the best fishing practices for Southern Bluefin Tuna – and encouraging others to do the same. Small actions make a difference.

keep

Are you familiar with iki jime humane fish-killing practices?

catch

Do you have the right fishing gear to catch big fish and is it in good condition?

release

Will the fish you release have the best chance to survive?

handle

Are you leaving the fish in the water when possible, and handling it with care?

prepare

Do you know how to make the most of the meat you harvest and not waste the fish?

how-to videos

Testimonials

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what people are saying about Tuna Champions…

“With the help of the Tuna Champion movement, competitions are moving from whole-fish weigh-ins to gill gutted. We’re seeing a real change in how people bring in the fish, including how much ice they take on their boat.”

John Johnstone, Owner, Portland Bait & Tackle

“The Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic is predominantly a catch and release tournament targeting SBT. We’re playing our part in the Tuna Champion movement by making sure that the released fish have the best chance of survival.

In 2019, we encouraged all competitors to use single hooks instead of treble hooks to minimise damage to the fish and maximise their chance of survival. In 2020, we will be introducing this as a rule, that no competitors are to run lures with treble hooks.”

Russell & Gabriella Bianco, Event Managers, Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic

IT’S ABOUT WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT WE catch

SMALL MOVES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Being a Tuna Champion means doing it better

and knowing more about what you’re catching