Lake Fishing

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing – The Basics

By Dylan Smith 12 May, 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 tips will help you to choose the best boat for the job, as well as research the schools. These tips can help you maximize your fishing experiences and catch the most yellowfin possible. You'll be well-equipped to catch a giant yellowfin once you understand these basic concepts.

Season

The season for yellowfin tuna fishing in North Caroline can vary considerably. Although recreational anglers catch yellowfin tuna throughout the year, the best time to fish for these aggressive predators is during spring. Yellowfins often catch on topwater plugs (trolled baits), jigs and jigs. During the spring season, yellowfins attack in packs, launching themselves out of the water and chasing bait. Although these huge fish appear like 50-pounders, they fight fiercely and are capable of running strong.

The Northeast Corner in Big Rock is where the baitfish concentrations are greatest and where strong currents flow. During billfish tournaments, the northeast corner is the preferred location for angling for yellowfin. Dillon however recommends fishing somewhere else during the week. The crowds of small boats can disrupt trolling and fighting. If you can find calmer, more peaceful waters to catch the tuna, then fishing in Big Rock may not be necessary.

Yellowfin tuna can also be caught in calmer waters 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. You can find them by looking for bonitos and glassminnows.

Spring: Yellowfins can be found in abundance along the coast of North Carolina's Gulf Stream. North Carolina yellowfin tuna fishing offers the chance to battle a massive beast. Yellowfins have a large amount of meat that can be taken home due to the generous regulatory allowance. Plan your yellowfin fishing vacation 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 a prized species, and NC fishing charters are focused on it.

North Carolina's tuna fishing scene is best enjoyed from a large charter boat. There are many fishing seasons, but recreational anglers will catch tuna every winter. Yellowfin tuna often catch on artificial lures as well as ballyhoo/seawitch fishing rigs. For these fish, a planer can be used. You can also try a fishing charter using a larger boat for a more challenging day.

Blue/white Ilander skirts and multi-colored spreader bars are common on charter boats. Yellowfin, however, are attracted to pinks and greens. If you have the time, try a black/purple skirt on overcast days. You can also use a naked rigged lure if you have a limited budget. Tunas may prefer an unseen bait to avoid eating a skirt.

Use a rubber fly, or plastic lure to attract yellowfin tuna. These lures are very effective when used under the right conditions. These lures have a higher chance of attracting a bite compared to rigged natural fish baits. Adjust the hook length when you are rigging your lures as bait to make sure it doesn't bounce off the water and become spooked.

Schooling species

Yellowfin tunas can be called "schooling species" for several reasons. They are often found swimming in groups of at minimum two species. Others fish such as sharks, billfish, and other species are also common in these groups. But yellowfin are different in that they frequently school together. Yellowfin, in addition to schooling together, are known to gather with driftwood, seagrass patches, and 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 kin recognition mechanisms and general school faithfulness. The general school fidelity is formed before the larval cohorts are dispersed, thus preserving the majority of the brood-mates. The presence of small yellowfin releasing FADs together with skipjack tuna indicates that species differentiation can be overridden by individual size.

Larger yellowfin tuna species often form schools together with dolphins. Larger ones sometimes school 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.

These species live mostly offshore, but may occasionally be found near shore. They eat baitfish found on islands in the middle of the ocean. Under certain circumstances, the yellowfin tuna inshore may reach the continental shelf. The researchers conclude that these fish may migrate between mid-ocean islands and the open ocean. So, it is important to observe yellowfin tuna in their natural habitats, as they may associate with drifting items.

Boats

Many types of fishing boat are used in North Carolina to fish for yellowfin. Charter fishing boats with large sea-hulls are the best. These fish are caught by boat captains using artificial lures and seawitch rigs. For catching tuna, planer rigs are also a good option. The catch is always better than canned tuna, so if you're looking for a fishing boat that's sure to take you to the tuna school, consider a sea hulled yacht for your next fishing excursion.

The yellowfin are abundant in North Carolina waters. Experienced anglers can reach them in less than an hour with a Harris 24-foot sportfisherman. Charterboats have the ability to reach the Gulf Stream, which is a crucial 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.

Mid-season yellowfin fishing can be very rewarding for offshore fishermen. These tuna may settle into a pattern for several weeks and respond to repeated chunking. These fish may become frequent visitors to the congregated area from a fishing boat. Offshore fishermen enjoy the challenge and excitement of trolling for yellowfin. They also love the distinctive fighting style of yellowfin.

Hatteras Island in North Carolina is the best place to find yellowfins tuna. Also, the inlet area is a good spot. Boat captains will troll these waters with topwater and ballyhoo, using baits made from kites as well as topwater plugs. They also jig vertically. These waters are only visited by bigeye tuna about once every ten years.

NMFC's management of yellowfin tuna

IOTC and NMFC's joint management plan for yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are based on the premise that production of the species is concentrated in waters off the Gulf of Guinea, a tuna nursery adjacent to west-central Africa, where a large purse-seine fishery exists. These purse-seine fisheries are designed to target small tunas with fish-attracting devices.

The Indian Ocean's yellowfin tuna stock is highly overfished, and catches continue to increase. Scientists predict that the fishery could be insolvent within five years. A number of prominent food retailers are calling for urgent action to safeguard the Indian Ocean's yellowfin fishing fleets. A new interim management plan has been proposed by the EU, Maldives, Kenya, and South Africa, in a bid to restore the population.

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 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 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

Where can you fish the most?

The best place to fish is near freshwater bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, etc. These areas provide fish with plenty of food.

Are there special clothes I should wear when fishing?

You need protection from the elements. When fishing, a waders outfit is worn. Waders are waterproof pants which cover the legs as well as the feet. Wader suits are sometimes equipped with boots. Other waders suits can be worn with no boots.

Where can i buy fishing supplies

You can purchase all of these items at most sporting goods stores. Online shopping is a good option if you are searching for something particular. Many websites sell everything, from rods to reels to tackle boxes to lures.

Can I fish during daylight?

You can fish at any time of the day. You can only fish during bans.

Statistics

About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
To substantiate this theory, Knight attempted a systematic inquiry by considering the timing of 200 'record' catches, more than 90 percent were made during a new moon (when no moon is visible). (myfwc.com)
It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)