Pick your port.
Run it to the horizon.
25 offshore ports. How far to the canyons, rigs, humps and the Gulf Stream, what bites in which month, and the rig that gets it done. Sourced, not guessed.
Gulf Coast
Loop Current eddies, oil rigs, and the shortest runs to deep water in the country.
Destin
Ten miles to the 100-fathom curve. Nobody in Florida is closer.
- Blue MarlinJun–Sep
- Yellowfin TunaJun–Sep
- WahooMay–Sep
- MahiMay–Sep
Galveston
Houston's launch pad to marlin water and the Flower Gardens
- Blue MarlinJun–Sep
- SailfishJun–Sep
- Yellowfin TunaJun–Aug
- MahiJun–Aug
Orange Beach
The nation's biggest reef program, with blue water past it
- Blue MarlinJun–Sep
- Yellowfin TunaJun–Aug
- WahooMay–Jul
- MahiMay–Aug
Port Aransas
Rock, rigs and deepwater platforms out past 100 miles
- Blue MarlinJul–Oct
- SailfishJul–Sep
- MahiJun–Sep
- Yellowfin TunaApr–Jul
South Padre Island
The bottom of Texas: snook at the jetties, marlin at the drop
- Blue MarlinMay–Sep
- SailfishJun–Aug
- MahiApr–Aug
- WahooNov–Jan
Venice
The end of the road. The start of the deep.
- Yellowfin TunaJan–Mar, Sep–Oct
- Blue MarlinJun–Aug
- WahooJan–Mar
- RedfishMar–May, Sep–Nov
Florida Atlantic & Keys
The Gulf Stream runs close enough to see from the beach. Sailfish central.
Islamorada
Reef at 4 miles. Hump at 15. Swords out to 30.
- SailfishDec–Mar
- MahiAug–Nov
- Blackfin TunaMar–May
- TarponMar–Jun
Key West
Mile Marker 0. The Wall is 20 miles south.
- SailfishDec–Mar
- Blue MarlinSep–Nov
- MahiMay–Jul
- TarponMar–Jun
Miami
City skyline behind you. Gulf Stream three miles ahead.
- SailfishMar–May
- MahiMay–Aug
- Blackfin TunaApr–Jul
- KingfishApr–May, Sep–Nov
Palm Beach
Where the Gulf Stream crowds the beach and sails come to you
- SailfishDec–Mar
- MahiApr–Aug
- SnookOct
- TarponOct
Port Canaveral
Rockets go up. You run 40 miles to the Gulf Stream.
- SailfishDec–Jan
- MahiApr–May
- CobiaMar–Apr
- SnookSep–Nov
Stuart
The Sailfish Capital of the World earned the name
- SailfishNov–Feb
- MahiApr–May
- SnookMar–Apr, Sep–Nov
- TarponOct
Carolinas
Where the Gulf Stream swings closest to the mainland north of Florida.
Charleston
A long run to the ledge. A billfish slam waiting at the end.
- Blue MarlinMay–Jun
- MahiApr–Jun
- SailfishJul–Sep
- WahooJan–Feb
Hatteras
Where the Gulf Stream slams into the cape. Billfish central.
- Yellowfin TunaApr–Jun
- MahiMay–Jun
- Blue MarlinJun–Aug
- White MarlinAug–Sep
Hilton Head
Summer tarpon in the sounds. Blue water 60-plus miles out.
- TarponJul–Sep
- RedfishAug–Oct
- MahiJun–Oct
- Blackfin TunaJun–Sep
Morehead City
Home of the Big Rock. Short run, heavy marlin.
- Blue MarlinJun–Aug
- MahiJun–Aug
- Yellowfin TunaJun–Aug
- WahooFeb, Sep–Nov
Oregon Inlet
Winter giants, summer billfish, one inlet
- Bluefin TunaDec–Feb
- Yellowfin TunaMay, Oct
- Blue MarlinJun–Aug
- White MarlinAug–Sep
Mid-Atlantic
Long canyon runs, white marlin in late summer, tuna on the shelf edge.
Cape May
Southern tip. Shorter runs. Four tunas and billfish.
- Bluefin TunaJun–Jul
- Yellowfin TunaJul–Sep
- White MarlinAug–Sep
- Blue MarlinJul–Sep
Ocean City
Five canyons in range. One white marlin capital.
- White MarlinAug–Sep
- Yellowfin TunaJun–Jul
- Blue MarlinJul–Aug
- MahiJul–Sep
Virginia Beach
Canyon blue water in summer. Giant bluefin in winter.
- Bluefin TunaDec–Feb
- Yellowfin TunaAug–Oct
- Blue MarlinAug–Sep
- White MarlinAug–Sep
Northeast
Giant bluefin, offshore canyons, and cold green water that hits back.
Gloucester
Giant bluefin country, minutes from the harbor
- Bluefin TunaJul–Oct
- Striped BassJun–Jul
- Haddock
- Atlantic Halibut
Montauk
Where the land ends and the tuna grounds begin
- Bluefin TunaJun, Sep
- Yellowfin TunaJul–Sep
- Bigeye TunaAug–Oct
- MahiJul–Sep
Point Judith
Small boats. Short runs. Real tuna.
- Bluefin TunaJun–Jul
- Yellowfin TunaJul–Aug
- Mahi
- Striped BassJul–Oct
Pacific
Long-range tuna boats and deep water right off the lava.
Kona
Lines in a quarter-mile out. Grander water inside five miles.
- Blue MarlinJun–Oct
- Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi)May–Sep
- Ono (Wahoo)May–Sep
- MahimahiMar–May, Sep–Nov
San Diego
The West Coast's tuna capital. Bluefin inside 15 miles.
- Bluefin TunaJun–Aug
- Yellowfin TunaJun–Aug
- YellowtailApr–Oct
- Dorado (Mahi)Jun–Sep
Distances are approximate straight-line runs as stated by the cited sources on each port page. Seasons follow water and bait, not the calendar. Always check state and federal regulations before you leave the dock.