The blackfin is one of several smaller tuna that occurs off the Mid Atlantic coastline. They are occasionally caught with small bluefin, yellowfin, or other members of the tuna family.
Blackfin tuna closely resemble yellowfin and bluefin of the same size. One of the simplest ways to distinguish blackfin from other tuna species is to note their finlets, which are brown or tan. In contrast, both yellowfin and bluefin tuna have bright yellow finlets.
Blackfin readily take small feathers, cedar plugs, spoons, and bullet-shaped lures. They can also be attracted by chumming and caught with bait or by casting artificial lures.
Despite their small size, blackfin tuna make good table fare.