OffshoreHookup
School of yellowfin tuna busting the surface at dawn

Yellowfin Tuna SeasonEvery Port

Yellowfin Tuna season across US offshore ports peaks Jun–Aug: that's when at least half of the 15 ports we track are at peak. July is the hottest, with 11 of 15 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

Bars: share of the 15 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.

Gulf Coast5 ports

Yellowfin Tuna in the Gulf →
Yellowfin Tuna bite calendar by port, Gulf Coast
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Destin, FLPeak Jun–SepOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
Galveston, TXPeak Jun–AugOffOffFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOffOff
Orange Beach, ALPeak Jun–AugOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOffOff
Port Aransas, TXPeak Apr–JulOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableFishableOff
Venice, LAPeak Jan–Mar, Sep–OctPeakPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakFishableOff

Carolinas3 ports

Yellowfin Tuna off the Carolinas →
Yellowfin Tuna bite calendar by port, Carolinas
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Hatteras, NCPeak Apr–JunOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableOffOffOff
Morehead City, NCPeak Jun–AugOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableOff
Oregon Inlet, NCPeak May, OctOffOffOffFishablePeakFishableFishableFishableFishablePeakFishableOff

Mid-Atlantic3 ports

Yellowfin Tuna in the Mid-Atlantic →
Yellowfin Tuna bite calendar by port, Mid-Atlantic
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Cape May, NJPeak Jul–SepOffOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
Ocean City, MDPeak Jun–JulOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakFishableFishableFishableOffOff
Virginia Beach, VAPeak Aug–OctOffOffOffFishableFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishable

Northeast2 ports

Yellowfin Tuna in the Northeast →
Yellowfin Tuna bite calendar by port, Northeast
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Montauk, NYPeak Jul–SepOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakOffOffOff
Point Judith, RIPeak Jul–AugOffOffOffOffOffOffPeakPeakFishableOffOffOff

Pacific2 ports

Yellowfin Tuna bite calendar by port, Pacific
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Kona, HIPeak May–SepFishableFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakPeakFishableFishableFishable
San Diego, CAPeak Jun–AugOffOffOffOffOffPeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOffOff

Where to run

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

Florida

Destin

Peak Jun–SepFishable Apr–May, Oct
Primary runjust over 10 milesto 100-Fathom Curve
Texas

Galveston

Peak Jun–AugFishable Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Primary run40 miles or less in peak seasonto Summer billfish and pelagic water
Alabama

Orange Beach

Peak Jun–AugFishable Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Primary runabout 8-15 miles offshoreto Orange Beach artificial reef zone
Texas

Port Aransas

Peak Apr–JulFishable Mar, Aug–Nov
Primary runabout 35 milesto Bakers and Hospital Rock
Louisiana

Venice

Peak Jan–Mar, Sep–OctFishable Apr–Aug, Nov
Primary runabout 20 miles off Southwest Passto Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank)
North Carolina

Hatteras

Peak Apr–JunFishable Mar, Jul–Sep
Primary runabout 25 milesto Gulf Stream edge
North Carolina

Morehead City

Peak Jun–AugFishable Apr–May, Sep–Nov
Primary runabout 30 miles from Beaufort Inletto Gulf Stream
North Carolina

Oregon Inlet

Peak May, OctFishable Apr, Jun–Sep, Nov
Primary runabout 35 milesto Gulf Stream
New Jersey

Cape May

Peak Jul–SepFishable May–Jun, Oct
Primary runabout 15-25 milesto Mid-shore pot lines and debris
Maryland

Ocean City

Peak Jun–JulFishable May, Aug–Oct
Primary runabout 30 milesto Jackspot
Virginia

Virginia Beach

Peak Aug–OctFishable Apr–Jul, Nov–Dec
Primary runabout 13 milesto Chesapeake Light Tower
New York

Montauk

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

Point Judith

Peak Jul–AugFishable Sep
Primary runabout 12 milesto Block Island
Hawaii

Kona

Peak May–SepFishable Oct–Apr
Primary runabout a quarter-mile from the harborto Kona ledge (trolling grounds)
California

San Diego

Peak Jun–AugFishable Sep–Oct
Primary runabout 15 miles or lessto 9 Mile Bank

How to fish it

Tackle class:30-50lb spinning or conventional. The window gets you on the water; the rig gets the fish to the boat. Full breakdown on the yellowfin 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 yellowfin tuna season across US offshore ports?

Yellowfin Tuna season across US offshore ports peaks Jun–Aug: that's when at least half of the 15 ports we track are at peak. July is the hottest, with 11 of 15 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

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

July. In July, 11 of the 15 ports we track are at peak: Destin, Galveston, Orange Beach, Port Aransas, Morehead City, Cape May, Ocean City, Montauk, Point Judith, Kona, San Diego.

Which US port has the longest yellowfin tuna season?

Kona, HI: 12 fishable months on our calendar, peaking May–Sep.

What rig do you use for yellowfin tuna?

30-50lb spinning or conventional. Start with The Bump-and-Wind Rig for Bluewater Tuna or Chunking Bluewater for Yellowfin.

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.