OffshoreHookup
School of yellowfin tuna busting the surface at dawn

Yellowfin Tuna SeasonCarolinas

Yellowfin Tuna season off the Carolinas peaks May–Jun: that's when at least half of the 3 ports we track are at peak. May and June are the hottest, with 2 of 3 ports at peak. Fishable somewhere off the Carolinas Mar–Nov.

Bars: share of the 3 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.

The Gulf Stream bends closest to the Carolinas in fall, and that is when the yellowfin fishing is real. Hatteras and Oregon Inlet are the primary access points; Morehead City adds range to the south. November through February is the window — the fish are on the stream edge, the bait is there, and standard approaches like live bait under kites or surface-popping schooling fish both produce.

Port by port3 ports

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

Where to run

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

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

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 off the Carolinas?

Yellowfin Tuna season off the Carolinas peaks May–Jun: that's when at least half of the 3 ports we track are at peak. May and June are the hottest, with 2 of 3 ports at peak. Fishable somewhere off the Carolinas Mar–Nov.

What is the best month for yellowfin tuna off the Carolinas?

May and June. In May, 2 of the 3 ports we track are at peak: Hatteras, Oregon Inlet.

Which Carolinas port has the longest yellowfin tuna season?

Morehead City, NC: 8 fishable months on our calendar, peaking Jun–Aug.

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.