Trout Fishing

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing – The Basics

By Bob Thomas 7 June, 2023 6 mins read

There are a few things you need to know before you set out on your trip to North Carolina's coast for yellowfin fishing. These are some tips to help you choose the right boat and know the season. These tips will ensure that you have the best fishing experience possible and catch the largest yellowfin. Once you are familiar with these basics, you will be well on your path to catching a big yellowfin.

Season

The season for yellowfin-tuna fishing in North Caroline can be very variable. The best time to catch these aggressive predators is spring, even though recreational anglers can catch them throughout the year. Yellowfins are typically caught on trolled baits, topwater plugs, jigs and kite baits. Yellowfins are known to attack in groups, jumping out of the water to chase bait during spring season. These huge fish may look like 50-pound footballs. However, the fight against them is fierce and their runs are hardy.

The Northeast Corner is the best place to find baitfish. It also has the strongest currents. The northeast corner, which is home to yellowfin, is the most popular location during billfish tournaments. Dillon advises that you fish elsewhere during the week as the fights and trolling of small boats can make it difficult to fish. It is not necessary to fish in Big Rock if the tuna can be caught in calmer, less crowded waters.

Yellowfin Tuna can be caught in calmer seas during the summer. Although Yellowfins are comfortable in 70- to 78 degree water, they do not like temperatures above 90 degrees. Midsummer fishing is not recommended. Look for birds that are in large groups and bonitos on the surface to find the best times to catch these fish. These are excellent indicators of where you can find them.

Spring: Yellowfins thrive in the Gulf Stream, just off the coast North Carolina. Fishing for yellowfin tuna in North Carolina is a great way to enjoy the thrill of fighting a large animal. Yellowfins can be brought home with lots of meat, thanks to the generous regulatory allowance. Plan your yellowfin fishing vacation now!

Tackle

Yellowfin tuna thrives in deep water and are highly migratory. The yellowfin, unlike other species of tuna that spawn all year, will stay closer to the shore to maintain their preferred temperature range. While smaller tuna species tend to swim closer to the surface than larger ones, the older ones will often move deeper into ocean and mix with other species. Yellowfin tuna can be a valuable table ingredient, so NC fishing charters primarily focus on this species.

Tuna fishing in North Carolina is best done from a large seaworthy charter boat. While fishing season may vary, recreational anglers often catch tuna in the winter. Yellowfin tuna are often caught on artificial lures and ballyhoo/seawitch rigs. This fish can also easily be caught with a planer-rig. Try a fishing charter with larger boats for a more difficult day.

Charter boats often use multi-colored spreader strips or blue/white Ilander skirs. Yellowfin are attracted by pink and other green colors. For overcast days, you can wear a purple/black skirt if it's possible. If you're on a budget, you can also try a naked rigged bait. A tuna may be attracted to an unseen bait, and will avoid skirts altogether.

Try rigging a rubber fly or plastic lure to entice yellowfin tuna. These lures can be used in the right conditions. These lures are much more likely to attract a bite than rigged, natural baits. Make sure you adjust the hook length if you use lures to bait. This will prevent the lure from bouncing off the surface and causing it to become scared.

Schooling species

There are several reasons why yellowfin tunas are called schooling species. They often swim in groups consisting of at least two species. Although other types of fish like billfish and sharks are common in these groups, yellowfin is unique because they usually school together. Yellowfin, in addition to schooling together, are known to gather with driftwood, seagrass patches, and dead marine mammals.

Small schools can form strong social and geographical bonds with their fish that last for many years. These bonds can be explained by kin recognition mechanisms or general school loyalty. The general school fidelity is formed before the larval cohorts are dispersed, thus preserving the majority of the brood-mates. Observations of small yellowfin leaving FADs in sync with skipjack tuna indicate that individual size overrides species differentiation.

Schools of larger yellowfin tuna species often include dolphins. Sometimes, larger ones will school close to oil rigs. When they are spawning, these tuna fold their fins into special indentations in the water to make swimming easier and faster. These fish are quite common in the sea and make up a large portion of canned fish in the United States. Yellowfin tuna also rank high in sales.

These species typically live offshore, but are occasionally spotted near shore. They eat baitfish found on islands in the middle of the ocean. Under certain conditions, inshore yellowfin tuna might venture to the continental shelf. These fish could migrate between the open ocean and mid-ocean island, according to researchers. Therefore, it is vital to observe yellowfin Tuna in their natural habitats as they may associate drifting items with them.

Boats

There are many different types of fishing boats used for yellowfin tuna in the offshore waters of North Carolina. Charter fishing boats that have large sea hulls and are well-known for their charter capabilities are the best. These prized fish are caught by boat captains who use artificial lures, ballyhoo/seawitch and other rigs. For catching tuna, planer rigs are also a good option. For tuna catch, the catch is always better than canned tuna. If you are looking for a fishing boat to take you to tuna school, a sea-hulled yacht might be the right choice.

Yellowfins are plentiful in North Carolina waters, and experienced anglers with a 24-foot Harris sportfisherman can reach them within an hour. Charterboats can also safely reach the Gulf Stream and catch tuna. Do-it yourself anglers can reach Gulf Stream on calm summer day using a fast boat or a smaller vessel and catch tuna after a few hours.

Fishing offshore can be extremely rewarding, especially for yellowfin enthusiasts. These tuna may settle into a pattern for several weeks and respond to repeated chunking. These fish could even be regular visitors to the area where they are gathered on a fishing boat. Offshore fishing enthusiasts enjoy the challenge of trolling for yellowfin and the thrill of an early blitz. They also love the unique fighting style of yellowfin.

Hatteras Island is the most popular spot for yellowfin tuna fishing in North Carolina. The inlet is also a great area. Boat captains will troll with ballyhoo and topwater plugs, dangle baits from kites, and jig vertically in these areas. These waters are only visited by bigeye tuna about once every ten years.

Yellowfin tuna management by the NMFC

The joint management plans of NMFC and IOTC on yellowfin tuna in Atlantic Ocean are based upon the assumption that the species is primarily produced in waters off the Gulf of Guinea. It is also near west-central Africa's tuna nursery. These purse-seine fisheries target small tunas associated with fish-attracting devices.

The Indian Ocean's yellowfin fish stock is overfished. However, catches are increasing. Scientists warn that the fishery could collapse within five years. Numerous prominent food retailers called for immediate action to save the yellowfin fisheries in the Indian Ocean. South Africa, Kenya, Maldives, and the EU have all proposed a new interim management strategy to help the population recover.

The DGN fishery has been under close scrutiny since 1989 when the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) identified it as a bycatch source of marine mammals. In order to monitor the fishing sector, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is using an observer program. The U.S. government administers the Pacific Fisheries Information Network. It includes data from other sources as well, such commercial fishing companies, local government, and the observer program. It is distributed to both the member agencies and private individuals.

The NMFC uses both satellite tags as well as internal tags to track the yellowfin population. LDWF and NMFC have used satellite tags for monitoring the Gulf of Mexico yellowfin tuna numbers. Satellite tags were used to monitor the tuna's life cycles. Despite recent increases in satellite tags, some tags were retained in fish for longer than three years.

FAQ

How can I tell if my lures are working?

You should watch out for movement in your lure when it is thrown into the water. If you can see movement in the water, your lure is working correctly.

How big should my tackle bag be?

A large tackle chest is required to keep all your fishing gear. The number of items inside a tackle box will determine its size.

What kind of gear do you need for fishing?

A rod, reel line, hooks, line, bait, tackle box and some snacks. Casting, setting up a hook and using a bobber are essential skills for catching fish. The most important thing is patience and waiting for the right moment to strike.

Where is the best place for fishing?

Near freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers, streams, and so forth, is where you should fish. These areas provide fish with plenty of food.

Can I fish in the morning or at night?

Yes, but you will need to ensure that you are using artificial light. Artificial lights are used by fishermen to attract fish. They are most effective after the sun sets, when fish are more active.

What type of fishing permit do I require?

You must have a fishing licence if you want to fish in state waters (e.g. lakes, rivers, or bays). Fishing licenses are required by law in every state. If you are planning to fish in federal waters (e.g. oceans, Great Lakes etc.), you will need a fishing license. You do not require a fishing licence to fish in federal waters. However, if you plan to take any fish home with you, then you must first check with local authorities to make sure you aren't breaking any laws.

Statistics

It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
Orvis, Simms, and Fishpond have been making some of the best packs and vests for a long time, and it seems like 90% of the anglers around the area use these brands. (troutandsteelhead.net)
You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)