Quick answer: Use a Professional Boss Lure, dodge the Tuna’s jumps and defeat it with a strong close-range weapon—then keep the entire body because it is the Albatross bait.
Why this encounter matters
Tuna is both a boss-lure catch and a physical quest item. It does not award the next coordinates itself; the entire body must be placed on Rocks Island to attract the Albatross, whose head completes the actual story hand-in.
Tuna route at a glance
| Encounter order | #6 of 10 boss and major encounters |
|---|---|
| Location | Rocks Island |
| Story status | Required for the main route or its setup |
| Summon / trigger | Professional Boss Lure |
| Item to keep | The entire defeated Tuna; do not sell or cook it. |
How to unlock and start Tuna
- Buy a Professional Boss Lure on Rocks Island.
- Bring an upgraded close-range weapon and ammunition.
- Step away from the Tuna’s incoming jump before firing.
- Defeat it before the escape meter expires.
- Place the body on the ground and wait for the Albatross.
Preparation specific to this fight
- The Professional Boss Lure is listed at $1,200, so protect the attempt with upgraded Shotgun damage and a full ammunition reserve.
- Rocks Island is compact. Choose the longest clear lane available before casting rather than expecting a large kiting circle.
- Leave enough inventory capacity for the entire Tuna body.
- Do not cook or sell the Tuna even if its cash value looks useful.
Attack patterns and safe responses
| Pattern | How to answer it |
|---|---|
| Committed rush | Move off the incoming line as early as the small arena allows, then answer at close range with the Shotgun. |
| Short reset | The island gives little room to chase. Turn quickly after the pass and keep damage on the white escape timer. |
| Body dependency | Treat pickup as part of the fight. A kill without preserving the body cannot trigger the Albatross sequence. |
Step-by-step fight plan
- Talk to the Rocks Island shop NPC about the terrorizing bird.
- Buy the Professional Boss Lure after weapon damage and ammunition are ready.
- Cast from the island’s longest usable lane and step away from the shoreline.
- Dodge the rush, turn and deliver close-range damage during each pass.
- Pick up the complete Tuna body immediately after the kill.
- Move to a clear spot, place the body on the ground and prepare for the Albatross.
Solo and co-op approaches
Solo
A solo attempt should prioritize reliable Shotgun damage over elaborate movement. The arena is too small for a long chase, so every missed rush needs to become a meaningful damage window.
Co-op
In co-op, keep one clear lane for the rush and avoid standing opposite the targeted player. After the kill, agree who will carry and place the body so it is not accidentally sold.
Common mistakes in this encounter
- Spending $1,200 on the lure before upgrading damage.
- Trying to kite in a circle that the small Rocks arena cannot support.
- Selling or cooking the body after the fight.
- Leaving the Tuna in inventory and waiting for the Albatross to appear automatically.
If the attempt or unlock fails
If the Albatross does not appear, verify that the Tuna body is physically on the ground rather than equipped or stored. A missing body requires another Professional Boss Lure attempt.
Tuna FAQ
Does defeating Tuna unlock Volcano Island?
No. Tuna is the bait for Albatross; the Albatross hand-in awards the next coordinates.
Why has Albatross not appeared?
Place the defeated Tuna body on the ground and wait. Keeping it in inventory does not complete the trigger.
Can you sell the Tuna first?
No. The quest uses the physical body, so selling or cooking it breaks the current attempt.
What happens next
The Tuna body summons the Albatross story encounter.
Open the complete Rocks Island route →
Sources, method and evidence limits
Current walkthroughs agree on the Professional Boss Lure, small Rocks arena, Shotgun recommendation, whole-body requirement and placing the Tuna on the ground to summon Albatross.
- Official How to Fish Steam page — official game and progression premise.
- Destructoid boss guide — encounter patterns, triggers and recommended responses.
- Destructoid complete walkthrough — island order, economy choices and story hand-ins.
- All Things How boss guide — cross-check for bait, attack windows and unlock confirmation.