Plain Bonito

Oceans & Range: Indo-Pacific and tropical Atlantic — found in warm offshore waters of the Indo-Pacific, tropical Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. A less commonly targeted sport fish in US waters but occasionally encountered by offshore anglers in the Gulf of Mexico and along the southeastern Atlantic coast.

Preferred Water Temperature: 70°F–82°F. A warm-water schooling species found near the surface in tropical and subtropical offshore waters.

Size & Weight: Typically 2–8 lbs. Maximum approximately 12 lbs. Similar in size and appearance to Atlantic Bonito but with distinctive coloring. An excellent light tackle sport fish with good table quality.

Best Lures: Trolled feather jigs and small skirted lures produce consistent results. Casting metal jigs into surface schools is very effective. Small chrome spoons work well. Small poppers produce during surface feeding activity.

Best Baits: Live anchovies and small sardines are the top baits. Cut squid works consistently. Small pieces of fresh fish attract fish readily. Plain Bonito are also used as cut bait for larger pelagic species.

Indo-Pacific and tropical Atlantic — found in warm offshore waters of the Indo-Pacific, tropical Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. A less commonly targeted sport fish in US waters but occasionally encountered by offshore anglers in the Gulf of Mexico and along the southeastern Atlantic coast.

70°F–82°F. A warm-water schooling species found near the surface in tropical and subtropical offshore waters.

Best Lures: Trolled feather jigs and small skirted lures produce consistent results. Casting metal jigs into surface schools is very effective. Small chrome spoons work well. Small poppers produce during surface feeding activity. Best Baits: Live anchovies and small sardines are the top baits. Cut squid works consistently. Small pieces of fresh fish attract fish readily. Plain Bonito are also used as cut bait for larger pelagic species.

Typically 2–8 lbs. Maximum approximately 12 lbs. Similar in size and appearance to Atlantic Bonito but with distinctive coloring. An excellent light tackle sport fish with good table quality.