tuna champions

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.
Richie A
@richard.abela.35
Melbourne VIC
SBT are tough competitors. I love the challenge of the fight - and the joy of seeing someone catch their first big one.
Richie A
Melbourne VIC
Take plenty of ice onboard, because if you don't chill them down quickly the meat is ruined.
When tagging and releasing a big SBT, it's always better to have the boat moving forward slowly - and keep the fish's head below water at all times. This makes it easier to control the fish, as fresh oxygenated water continues to flow over the gills.
Scott G
@scottgrayfishing
Southwest Victoria
Catching multiple SBT in an outing is common in southwest Victoria, so many anglers practice catch and release - which means looking after it so it survives.
Scott G
Southwest Victoria
I use a large landing net with a soft silicone bag, which helps control the fish when landing it and prevents damage to its skin and scales.
I also use single hooks on all my stickbait lures – they’re easier to remove from the fish, cause less damage to its mouth, and reduce bleeding. This means the fish spends less time out of the water before release and has a better chance of surviving.
Tune up your tuna skills

Tune up your tuna skills

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

release

Will the fish you release have the best chance of surviving?

catch

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

keep

Do you know how to dispatch, bleed, gill-gut and chill your bluefin for the best taste – and so no fish is wasted?

handle

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

prepare

Do you know how to prep your bluefin to make the most of the meat you harvest?
Watch this!Skill up

 

 

 

Shop like a Tuna Champion

Slip on a t-shirt, jump into our new hoodie and slap on a cap. Now that’s Tuna Champion cool.

…or get onboard with the limited edition Reel Brand + Tuna Champion long-sleeve fishing shirt.

Find out about sizing and more here, or hit the button below to head straight to our online shop.

I want one

These links re-direct you to our Tuna Champions shopping page, which is currently hosted by UTAS.
All profits from the sale of merchandise go back into the Tuna Champions program

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

“In support of the Tuna Champion program, a ‘Tag and Release’ category has been introduced to the month-long Hooked On Tuna competition for 2019.

This program encourages recreational fishers to respect SBT and adopt ways to fish better with minimum waste.

In recognition of this, competition rules are now aligned with best practice fishing of the SBT, with all fish presented at weigh-in mandated to be gutted, gilled and bled to avoid wastage.”

Michael Cottee, Tourism and Events Manager, Glenelg Shire Council

“Tuna champions! What a great idea to educate recreational fishers about better ways to catch and respect their SBT. I’m a recreational tuna fisherman, hobby lure maker, chef, and a foods teacher at a senior secondary college in Tasmania.

Yesterday I brought in a small school SBT I’d caught out of Fortescue Bay the day before. Your website was a fantastic resource to use as a platform to inform and educate my students about all aspects of SBT.

They participated in cleaning, portioning and cryovacking the fish. In following lessons, we’ll be utilising all the different cuts of the SBT, preparing delicious morsels and dishes to showcase this amazing fish. Overall a great learning experience for my students and your website is a great resource for all – well done!”

Chris Edwards, Foods Teacher TAS

READ MORE TESTIMONIALS HERE

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.

Share your love of tuna

Whether you're keeping or releasing it, tell us what makes bluefin special to you.

What I like about SBT:

What appeals to me about Tuna Champions:

My hot tip for fishing or preparing bluefin is:

Please note that we may edit your submission for style and fit, but we won’t change what you mean.

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