Bonito: Facts, Records, and How to Catch Them | FishyAF
What is a Bonito?
Atlantic Bonito are fast, stripe-backed predators that torch bait balls along rips, points, and inlets. Smaller than False Albacore but just as turbo-charged, they crush tiny bait and reward accurate casts with blistering runs. Perfect targets for metals, epoxies, and small stickbaits.
The first FishyAF Bonito was logged by @iamfishyaf — birds diving, bait spraying, drag screaming. Chef’s kiss.
Here’s your FishyAF guide to Bonito — where to find them, what to throw, and how to keep hooks pinned when they cartwheel at the boat. Click here to see what blitz chasers are wearing.
🐟 Bonito Quick Facts
| Fact | Info |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sarda sarda (Atlantic Bonito) |
| Average Size | 2–6 lbs typical; 8–12+ lbs possible |
| World Record | ~18 lb class (IGFA all-tackle) |
| Habitat | Coastal rips, inlets, nearshore edges following bait |
| Edible? | Yes — best bled/iced quickly; great grilled/blackened |
❓ FAQs About Bonito
Where can you catch Bonito?
Along the Atlantic coast — near rips, tide lines, inlet mouths, and nearshore reefs. Look for birds and fleeing bait.
How big do Bonito get?
Most run 2–6 lbs, with bigger fish pushing past 10. They fight like tuna because… they basically are, just smaller and sassier.
What is the world record Bonito?
IGFA all-tackle is in the high teens (~18 lbs). Anything over 10 is a serious unit.
Are Bonito good to eat?
Yes — rich and best eaten fresh. Bleed and ice immediately; sear rare, blacken, or turn into poke.
How do you catch Bonito?
Speed and precision. Cast small metals/epoxy jigs into surface feeds and rip them fast. Troll small spoons on planers when the bite is scattered.
What’s the best lure for Bonito?
1/2–1 oz tins, epoxy jigs, small stickbaits. Match tiny bait (anchovies, sand eels), keep leaders light, and don’t stop cranking.
What’s the difference between Bonito and False Albacore?
Bonito have clean, straight stripes and tastier flesh; Albies have wavy “worm lines” and stronger flavor. Both run like jet engines.
😂 FishyAF Bonito Joke
Bonito — the fish that turns “one more cast” into twelve.
🚨 WE NEED YOUR HELP…
Our goal is to photograph 1,000 species with the FishyAF Brand. Join our FishyAF Ambassador Awards Program and win cool prizes.
🧢 Gear Up with FishyAF
Bait showers and bird piles? Rock our Switchback Hats and Offshore Hoodies. Fish hard, look FishyAF.