At the time of writing, the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is rated as "Endangered", so anglers need to take this into consideration and, ideally, avoid targeting them until numbers recover. One of the best things about Bluefin Tuna is that they are so unpredictable, making them an exciting fish to catch! The angler must ensure tackle is set to the size and weight of the fish you're targeting, so it's important to carry different types of gear to be ready for anything. ALWAYS secure your rods/reels to the vessel with safety straps. The bluefin tuna isn't the most inventive fish when it comes to fighting; instead, it relies on sheer power and stamina. The first thing you'll notice about it will be when your rod bends over and your reel screams as the line pours off at 30-40mph. During stage two of the fight, they will dive deep and can only be stopped by the sea floor. During Stage 3, they circle ever-smaller and smaller circles until they are worn out. To bring the tuna in, the angler must continually apply maximum pressure to the rod. When you slack off and the rod unloads, the skipper must cut the gas so the fish can re-load the rod. Please do not remove it from the water unless you know what you are doing to release your catch. Tuna are "obligate ram ventilators" that must move forward to breathe. Rather, "tow" the fish at 1 to 2 knots until it can swim on its own before removing the hook and line.