Skipjack Tuna Fishing Charters

You know a skipjack by the dark stripes running along its silver belly; the back above is plain. It travels warm open ocean in large, tight schools, feeding on small fish and squid at the surface, often under working birds, and on light tackle it pulls far harder than its size suggests. It is the tuna most of the world eats from a tin, and it is very good fresh, seared or raw, if it is bled and iced quickly.

Four of the five boats sail from the north-west of Mauritius, where skipjack school offshore with the larger tuna; our skipjack in Mauritius page has more on the island. On a marlin boat a fresh skipjack is also bait, so if you want yours for dinner, say so before the trip.

• Pyramide, Trou-aux-Biches: skipper Mike Seblin and his brother Hansley, a live bait pump, heavy and light tackle, out at 4 am for 6 or 10 hours.
• Big game fishing, Trou-aux-Biches: one angler only, from 5 am for 6 or 9 hours.
• Flying Kiss, Pointe aux Piments: room for up to 12, from 5:30 am for 6 or 10 hours.
• Last Cast, Grand Baie: Captain Belon and first mate Pravin take two to four out to the tuna schools and FADs, on 4, 6 or 8 hours from 5 am.

The fifth is in Malta. Fishingmalta trolls offshore and bottom fishes the reefs from Ta' Xbiex on shared trips, 5 hours from 7 am or 4 hours from noon, which suits a solo angler or a couple who do not want a whole boat. Nothing on any of these listings ties skipjack to a month, so ask the crew what is running when you book.