The Rundown
Best Overall: Flying Fish Yummy Flyer (click to view)
“Flying fish is a preferred prey species of quite a few pelagic fish, including tuna. If you want to get the most effective spread when you’re trolling, the Yummy Flyer is a fantastic addition.”
Best Premium Option: Bost Ahi Snack Lure (click to view)
“Any great spread has some noisemakers inside it, and the Bost Ahi Snack jet heads are an ideal choice. You’ll be able to decide on your leader material and bait when you rig them up.”
Best Budget Option: Goture Vertical Saltwater Jigs (click to view)
“Jigs are a staple of saltwater fishing and used to catch any number of species of fish. Tuna will also readily go for a well-placed jig, so the Goture Jigs are a great addition to your tackle box.”
Whether you’re trolling for monstrous bluefins, ferocious yellowfins, or just pulling some blackfins out of a feeding frenzy, you need the right lures to attract the tuna you’re after.
The best lures mimic the fish tuna will be feeding on and attract them from some distance away. The lures should stand out, even in the presence of other prey fish in the area.
Since there are so many tuna lures available, we’ve compiled this list of some of the best ones out there to let you make an informed buying decision. They’ll also have you covered, no matter which species you’re going after or how you plan to fish.




What Is The Best Lure For Tuna?
Our Top 6 Picks
Table of Contents
Best Tuna Fishing Lures In 2022
Here are the best lures for tuna that you need on your next fishing trip:
- Flying Fish Yummy Flyer
- Bost Ahi Snack Lure
- Goture Vertical Saltwater Jigs
- Dr. Fish Saltwater GT Popper
- Fishing Tuna Feather Rig
- Boone Unrigged Bird Teaser
Flying Fish Yummy Flyer
Best Overall: No matter the tuna species you’re after, flying fish are a great attractor.

KEY FEATURES
- Pre-rigged and ready to tie on
- Useful trolling and kite fishing
- Soft body mimics feel of actual fish
Flying fish is a preferred prey species of quite a few pelagic fish, including tuna. If you want to get the most effective spread when you’re trolling, the Flying Fish Yummy Flyer makes a fantastic addition. Looking like ideal prey and making plenty of noise, these are a great choice for any angler after tuna.
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Bost Ahi Snack Lure
Best Premium Option: A colorful and loud skirt for Bluewater trolling.

KEY FEATURES
- Can be ordered pre-rigged
- The head makes a ton of noise underwater
- Skirt adds flare to any of your baits
Any great spread has some noisemakers inside it, and the Ahi Snack Lure is a perfect choice. You’ll be able to decide on your leader material and bait when you rig them up, but that makes them ideal for any size tuna. They’re a great choice for adding some noise attractants to your spread and work great for tuna, Mahi, sailfish, and wahoo.
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Goture Vertical Saltwater Jigs
Best Budget Option: Whether it’s on a reef or in a feeding frenzy, every angler should carry a jig or two.

KEY FEATURES
- Multiple sizes and colors to choose from
- Great for sitting on a feeding school
- Fluorescent design flashes brilliantly even in low light
Jigs are a staple of saltwater fishing and are used to catch any number of species of fish. Tuna will also readily go for a well-placed jig, and they make a great addition to your tackle box. These Goture Vertical Saltwater Jigs work best for anglers running weedlines and fishing structures like reefs, wrecks, and oil rigs.
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Dr. Fish Saltwater GT Popper
Best for Feeding Frenzies: A big topwater that mimics wounded baitfish is perfect for tossing into a surface feeding frenzy and around weed lines.

KEY FEATURES
- 3D eyes and holographic body mimic prey fish
- Cupped head chugs through the water, attracting strikes
- The lure will stand out, even in feeding frenzies
While you’re out fishing, it’s important to look for weed lines, bait balls, and birds. These are all great locations to find and catch fish, but they aren’t always the best for trolling and jigging. Taking big topwaters along allows any anglers to throw into feeding fish and pull out a trophy. The Dr. Fish Saltwater GT Popper is perfect for situations like this.
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Fishing Tuna Feather Rig
Best for Speed Trolling: Great for any tuna species, the holographic head reflects into the deep.

KEY FEATURES
- Holographic head with lifelike eyes
- Feathers movement entices strikes
- Lightweight — needs a planar to run deep
Bullet heads may make less noise in the water than other kinds, but the Fishing Tuna Feather Rig’s holographic coating makes up for it with superior reflection underwater. It’s easy to rig up your favorite bait and a great addition to a trolling spread. They’re one of the best choices for anglers looking for a high-speed trolling day.
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KEY FEATURES
- Easy to rig up
- Adds attractant to your trolling spread
- Built tough with stainless steel
Fish are used to birds telling them when baitfish are near the surface. Using Boone Unrigged Bird Teaser trolling accessories is a great way to get fish to come up from deeper water and check out your spread. They’re a smart choice for any anglers wanting to make their spread more efficient.
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What To Consider When Buying Tuna Lures
Target Species
The biggest thing to consider when tuna fishing is the specific kind of tuna you’re after. All of your gear, not just your lures, is dependent on that first and foremost. This is because there is a huge difference in size between tuna species. For example, bluefin tuna can easily weigh 500 pounds, while yellowfin rarely get over 200 pounds, and albacore usually doesn’t reach 100 pounds.
You obviously will need bigger gear to tackle larger fish, but you should consider that they aren’t eating the same prey fish. For example, run-down bluefin schools of fish much larger than albacore would, and it’s best to match both your speed and lures to the preferred prey of your target species.
Fishing Style
The best thing you can do is have lures in your tackle box for any situation. Tuna, especially the larger species, are commonly caught trolling and drift fishing. Drift fishing typically uses cut or live bait though not lures. If you don’t want to or can’t have every kind of lure on you, consider how you’ll be trying to catch tuna to decide on which lures to pursue.
Trolling lures are ideal, but consider if you’re going to troll fast or slow. How big of a spread can you handle? Mixing up your lures in a spread is excellent because it gives fish more options. For example, cupped heads chug and make more noise, while bullet heads reflect more light. It’s best to try both.
Attraction
Look for tuna lures that will get the most attention. It seems obvious, but we as anglers commonly use what has worked before and what our friends recommend. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles of lures.
Make sure that any lure you use has more than one way to attract fish. You want movement, noise, and flash ideally in any lure you choose. You can achieve these by using accessories like birds or multiple lures in your trolling spread at a time, instead of just one type of lure.
Questions & Answers

Are tuna hard to catch?
Tuna is one of the most challenging fighting fish species there is. They spend all of their time swimming and are built for speed, with a streamlined body and powerful muscles. Pound for pound, not much will out pull any species of tuna. Make sure to use reels with plenty of lines and a strong drag so you can wear down any tuna you hook.

What depth do you fish for tuna?
Most tuna spend the majority of their time between 60 and 100 feet down. Diving lures and planars can help you get your lures down to them, and having a large spread to attract them can help pull them up from the depths to strike. Be sure to use strong rod holders that properly fit your rods to avoid them being ripped out.