Kawakawa

Euthynnus affinis

Wavyback skipjack

Description: Dark blue or blue-green above fading to silver below; about 12 dark wavy marks on the dorsal area.

Size: Weight up to about 20 pounds, but most are around 4 or 5 pounds

Habitat: Open water, but somewhat close to shoreline, generally in depths less than 100 fathoms; often found over dropoffs, or in association with aku; young may enter bays and harbors

Feeding: Diurnal and nocturnal; small fish, squid and crustaceans

Schooling: Schools

Fishing methods: Trolling, pole and line

Seasonality: Present throughout the year, but most abundant during summer when the fish come fairly close to shore in large schools