fishing gear

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing -- The Basics

By Dylan Smith 21 July, 2023 6 mins read

A few things are necessary before you go fishing for yellowfin tuna in North Carolina. These tips are to make sure that you understand the seasons, select the right boat, and research the species of schooling fish. These tips will ensure that you have the best fishing experience possible and catch the largest yellowfin. This knowledge will make it easy to catch a huge yellowfin.

Season

There are many seasons for yellowfin tuna fishing. Yellowfin tuna can be caught by recreational anglers throughout the year. However, they are most active in spring. Yellowfins are typically caught on trolled baits, topwater plugs, jigs and kite baits. Yellowfins often attack in groups and launch themselves out of water to chase bait. While these large fish have the appearance of 50-pound footballs, the fight is fierce and the runs are headstrong.

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. However, Dillon recommends fishing elsewhere during the week, when the crowds of small boats can interfere with trolling and fighting. If you are able to catch the tuna in calmer waters, fishing in Big Rock is unnecessary.

In the summertime, Yellowfin tuna can be caught in calmer waters. Yellowfins prefer 70-to-78 degrees of water, but they are not comfortable with temperatures that reach the upper 90s. Fishing in midsummer is a bad idea. If you want to catch these fish at their best, look for birds in groups and bonitos breaking the surface. They can be found by using bonitos, glass minnows, and other indicators such as glass minnows.

Spring: Yellowfins in the Gulf Stream off North Carolina's coast are abundant in spring. North Carolina yellowfin tuna fishing offers the chance to battle a massive beast. Yellowfins are allowed to bring home a lot of meat due to their generous regulatory allowance. If you are looking for a good yellowfin fishing trip, it's the time to plan your trip now!

Tackle

Yellowfin tuna is highly migratory, and they thrive in deep ocean waters. The yellowfin, unlike other species of tuna that spawn all year, will stay closer to the shore to maintain their preferred temperature range. Younger tuna will swim near the surface while larger ones will mix with other species deeper in the ocean. Yellowfin tuna is prized as table food, so NC fishing charters concentrate their efforts on this species.

Tuna fishing in North Carolina is best done from a large seaworthy charter boat. There are many fishing seasons, but recreational anglers will catch tuna every winter. Yellowfin tuna are commonly caught with artificial lures or ballyhoo/seawitch-rigs. For these fish, a planer can be used. A fishing charter with more boats is an option for those looking for a more difficult day.

Most charter boats use blue/white Ilander skirts, or multi-colored spreader bar. Yellowfin prefer pink and green colors. A black/purple dress is good for overcast days if you have the patience. You could also try a naked-rigged bait if your budget is tight. Tunas may prefer an unseen bait to avoid eating a skirt.

A rubber fly or plastic lure can be used to attract yellowfin tuna. These lures will perform well under the right conditions. These lures will draw more attention than natural baits rigged for hooks. 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 are often found swimming in groups of at minimum two species. Although other types of fish like billfish and sharks are common in these groups, yellowfin is unique because they usually school together. Apart from schooling, yellowfin have been known to congregate together with driftwood, seagrass patches and even dead marine mammals.

Small schools create strong bonds between fish and their communities that can last for many decades. These bonds may be the result of kin recognition mechanisms and general school fidelity. 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.

Many schools are formed by larger species of yellowfin toma with dolphins. The schools of larger species may be located near oil rigs. When they spawn, these tuna form special indentations into the water that make swimming quicker and easier. These creatures are common in seawater and are responsible for the majority U.S. canned fish. Yellowfin tuna ranks among the top-selling fish around the globe.

They live mostly offshore, though they are sometimes found close to shore. They eat baitfish found on islands in the middle of the ocean. Under certain conditions, an inshore yellowfin may move to the continental plate. These fish could migrate between the open ocean and mid-ocean island, according to researchers. As they might associate with drifting things, yellowfin tuna should be observed in their natural habitats.

Boats

There are many different types of fishing boats used for yellowfin tuna in the offshore waters of North Carolina. Large sea hull charter fishing boats are the king of this game. These prized fish are caught by boat captains who use artificial lures, ballyhoo/seawitch and other rigs. Planer rigs also work well for catching tuna. You catch more tuna than you can cook so if you're looking to fish from a boat with a sea hull, you might consider a yacht.

Yellowfins are abundant in North Carolina waters. An experienced angler with a Harris sportfisherman 24' can reach them within one hour. Charterboats also have the range to safely access the Gulf Stream, a critical area for catching tuna. Anglers who are comfortable fishing alone can reach the Gulf Stream in calm summer days using a speed boat or a smaller craft.

Fishing offshore can be extremely rewarding, especially for yellowfin enthusiasts. These tuna may form a pattern over several days and respond to repeated chunking. These fish could even be regular visitors to the area where they are gathered on a fishing boat. Offshore fishermen love the challenge of trolling yellowfin for their catch and the excitement of a quick blitz. They love yellowfin's unique fighting style.

Hatteras Island in North Carolina is the best place to find yellowfins tuna. Also, the inlet area is a good spot. These are the areas where boat captains will use topwater plugs and ballyhoo to troll, dangle kite baits and jig vertically. These waters attract bigeye tuna only once every 10 years.

Management of yellowfin tuna by the NMFC

The joint management plan of NMFC and IOTC for yellowfin tuna in Atlantic Ocean is based on the assumption that the species' production is concentrated in the Gulf of Guinea, a region adjacent to west-central Africa where a large purseseine fishery can be found. These purse-seine fisheries target small tunas associated with fish-attracting devices.

The Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna stocks are highly overfished. Catches continue to rise. Scientists warn that within five years, the fishery might collapse. Many prominent food retailers have called for urgent action to protect the Indian Ocean's yellowfin fisheries. A new interim management plan has been proposed by the EU, Maldives, Kenya, and South Africa, in a bid to restore the population.

Since 1989 when the United Nations Environmental Program, (UNEP), identified DGN as an important bycatch of marine mammals, the DGN fishing industry has been under close inspection. As a result, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission uses an observer system to monitor the fishing business. 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 shared with the member agencies and 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 are used to monitor the lives of tuna. Despite the rise in satellite tags, some have been kept in fish for longer periods of time.

FAQ

Can I fish in the morning or at night?

Yes, but make sure to use artificial light. Fisherman use artificial lights to lure fish. They work well after the sun sets as fish become more active in the dark.

How much does basic fishing gear cost?

Basic fishing equipment costs around $100-$200 dollars for rod/reel combos, bait, tackle box, etc. For a larger boat, you will need to pay between $500 and $1,000.

What happens if I am caught illegally fishing?

You may face fines, jail time, and even loss of your fishing license. Before you start fishing, it is important to be familiar with the rules.

Which time is best to fish?

It is best to fish in the morning or at night. These are the best times to fish because the fish are moving and eating.

Is fishing a safe sport?

Fishing is extremely safe. Fishing is an excellent way to unwind and enjoy the natural world. It is possible to fish safely as long you do not break any safety rules.

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 observe movement, your lure may be working properly.

Statistics

It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
For most freshwater species you are most likely to target when first starting out, a reel size of 20 to 30 should be more than enough! (strikeandcatch.com)
You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)