OffshoreHookup
Massive bluefin tuna arching out of deep blue water beside a sportfishing boat at dawn

Bluefin Tuna SeasonEvery Port

Bluefin Tuna season across US offshore ports peaks Jun–Jul: that's when at least half of the 8 ports we track are at peak. June and July are the hottest, with 4 of 8 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

Bars: share of the 8 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.

Carolinas2 ports

Bluefin Tuna off the Carolinas →
Bluefin Tuna bite calendar by port, Carolinas
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Hatteras, NCPeak Dec–FebPeakPeakFishableOffOffOffOffOffOffOffOffPeak
Oregon Inlet, NCPeak Dec–FebPeakPeakFishableOffOffOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeak

Mid-Atlantic2 ports

Bluefin Tuna in the Mid-Atlantic →
Bluefin Tuna bite calendar by port, Mid-Atlantic
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Cape May, NJPeak Jun–JulOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakFishableFishableFishableOffOff
Virginia Beach, VAPeak Dec–FebPeakPeakFishableOffOffOffOffOffOffOffOffPeak

Northeast3 ports

Bluefin Tuna in the Northeast →
Bluefin Tuna bite calendar by port, Northeast
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Gloucester, MAPeak Jul–OctOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakFishableOff
Montauk, NYPeak Jun, SepOffOffOffOffOffPeakFishableFishablePeakFishableOffOff
Point Judith, RIPeak Jun–JulOffOffOffOffOffPeakPeakFishableFishableOffOffOff

Pacific1 port

Bluefin Tuna bite calendar by port, Pacific
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
San Diego, CAPeak Jun–AugOffOffFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableFishable

Where to run

Each port's primary offshore run, and its window for bluefin tuna. Tap a port for every run, regulation and source.

North Carolina

Hatteras

Peak Dec–FebFishable Mar
Primary runabout 25 milesto Gulf Stream edge
North Carolina

Oregon Inlet

Peak Dec–FebFishable Mar, Nov
Primary runabout 35 milesto Gulf Stream
New Jersey

Cape May

Peak Jun–JulFishable May, Aug–Oct
Primary runabout 15-25 milesto Mid-shore pot lines and debris
Virginia

Virginia Beach

Peak Dec–FebFishable Mar
Primary runabout 13 milesto Chesapeake Light Tower
Massachusetts

Gloucester

Peak Jul–OctFishable Jun, Nov
Primary runboundary about 3 miles southeast of Cape Annto Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
New York

Montauk

Peak Jun, SepFishable Jul–Aug, Oct
Primary runabout 14 milesto Block Island
Rhode Island

Point Judith

Peak Jun–JulFishable Aug–Sep
Primary runabout 12 milesto Block Island
California

San Diego

Peak Jun–AugFishable Mar–May, Sep–Dec
Primary runabout 15 miles or lessto 9 Mile Bank

How to fish it

Tackle class:80-130lb standup, two-speed lever drag reels. The window gets you on the water; the rig gets the fish to the boat. Full breakdown on the bluefin tuna page.

Kits for this fish

  • The Blue-Water Trolling Starter KitThe reel, rod, braid, leader, and gaff you need to run a real bump-and-wind spread on giant bluefin, yellowfin, and wahoo, bundled so you're not guessing what pairs with what.

Frequently asked

When is bluefin tuna season across US offshore ports?

Bluefin Tuna season across US offshore ports peaks Jun–Jul: that's when at least half of the 8 ports we track are at peak. June and July are the hottest, with 4 of 8 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

What is the best month for bluefin tuna across US offshore ports?

June and July. In June, 4 of the 8 ports we track are at peak: Cape May, Montauk, Point Judith, San Diego.

Which US port has the longest bluefin tuna season?

San Diego, CA: 10 fishable months on our calendar, peaking Jun–Aug.

What rig do you use for bluefin tuna?

80-130lb standup, two-speed lever drag reels. Start with The Bump-and-Wind Rig for Bluewater Tuna or The Canyon Run: Finding and Hooking Giant Bluefin.

Where this comes from

Every window here is rolled up from the port calendars on this site, and each port page cites its sources. Peak means the port's sources call it the best stretch; fishable means the fish are around but not at their best. Water temperature and bait move these windows every year. Check state and federal regulations before you leave the dock. Not legal advice.