Skipjack
Tuna

Skipjack Tuna, known locally as Aku, are spirited and accessible game fish that thrive in Hawaii’s warm waters. Boasting fast, acrobatic runs and schooling behavior, they provide action-packed angling that’s perfect for families, beginners, and anyone itching for multiple hookups and high-energy fishing.

On average, Hawaiian Skipjack Tuna weigh between 4 and 15 pounds, offering energetic fights that are fast and exciting. While rare, some have grown as large as 37 pounds—still manageable but impressively strong for their size.

Aku are primarily caught via traditional pole-and-line fishing, where fishermen chum live bait to attract schools and then use feathered, barbless hooks on bamboo poles—an iconic and sustainable method unique to Hawaii. A portion of skipjack is also caught by trolling and longlining, but the pole-and-line technique remains the preferred method for its freshness and fish quality.

Aku are highly valued both as sport and at the table. Their firm texture and rich flavor shine in a variety of preparations—especially raw dishes like sashimi and poke, as well as tataki, sautéed, broiled, or fried preparations. Nutritionally, Skipjack are a lean protein powerhouse, low in saturated fat and sodium, and rich in niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, iodine, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, and about 300 mg of omega-3s per 4-ounce serving. Sustainably fished under local regulations, aku remain a trusted and eco-conscious option for seafood lovers.

Aku are available most of the year in Oahu’s waters, with peak abundance between April and September. During this season, larger akus (16–30 pounds) move into local waters, making spring and early summer the most fruitful time to target them.