Lake Fishing

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing -- The Basics

By Bob Thomas 12 February, 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. Here are some tips: Know the season, choose the right boat, and research schooling species. These tips will enable you to maximize your fishing and catch the largest yellowfin around the globe. This knowledge will make it easy to catch a huge yellowfin.

Season

The season for yellowfin-tuna fishing in North Caroline can be very variable. Although recreational anglers catch yellowfin tuna throughout the year, the best time to fish for these aggressive predators is during spring. Yellowfins can be caught using topwater plugs or trolled baits. Yellowfins are known to attack in groups, jumping out of the water to chase bait during spring season. These large fish can look similar to 50-pound footballs but the fight is intense and the runs are strong.

The Northeast Corner of Big Rock has the highest concentrations of baitfish and 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. Fishing in Big Rock is not necessary if you can catch the tuna in a calmer, uncrowded ocean.

In the summertime, Yellowfin tuna can be caught in calmer waters. Although Yellowfins are comfortable in 70- to 78 degree water, they do not like temperatures above 90 degrees. Fishing in midsummer is a bad idea. For the best chance of catching these fish, look out for bonitos crashing on the surface and birds in groups. Bonitos and glass minnows are good indicators of where to 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. It's time to start planning your yellowfin fishing adventure!

Take a look at these tips

Yellowfin tuna thrives in deep water and are highly migratory. Although other tuna species can spawn year-round, yellowfin tuna prefers to stay close to 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 can be a valuable table ingredient, so NC fishing charters primarily focus on this species.

A large charter boat is the best way to go tuna fishing in North Carolina. Although the fishing season is variable, recreational anglers can catch tuna all year. Yellowfin tuna can be caught using artificial lures, ballyhoo/seawitch gears, and other methods. You can also catch these fish with a planerrig. For a more challenging day, try a fishing charter with a larger boat.

Most charter boats use blue/white Ilander skirts, or multi-colored spreader bar. Yellowfin are attracted by pink and other 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.

To entice a yellowfin tuna, try rigging it with a plastic lure or a rubber fly. These lures can be used in the right conditions. These lures have a higher chance of attracting a bite compared to rigged natural fish baits. To ensure that your lures don't bounce around in the water, adjust the hook length.

Schooling species

Yellowfin tunas are often called schooling fish for a variety of reasons. First, they often swim in groups 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. In addition to schooling, yellowfin are also known to congregate with driftwood, patches of seagrass, and even dead marine mammals.

Fish from small schools build strong social-geographic bonds that last many generations. These bonds can be explained by kin recognition mechanisms or general school loyalty. General school fidelity occurs before the larval groups disperse and preserves most of the broodmates. Small yellowfin leave FADs in harmony with skipjack tom tuna, indicating that individual size is more important than species differentiation.

Many schools are formed by larger species of yellowfin toma with dolphins. Larger ones sometimes school near oil rigs. When they are spawning, these tuna fold their fins into special indentations in the water to make swimming easier and faster. 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 are usually found far offshore, but they can be seen occasionally 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. The researchers conclude that these fish may migrate between mid-ocean islands and the open ocean. It is crucial to observe yellowfin tuna as they live in their natural habitats. They may also associate with drifting objects.

Boats

There are many fishing boats available for yellowfin tuna fishing in North Carolina's offshore waters. Charter fishing boats with large sea hulls are king of the game. Boat captains use artificial lures and ballyhoo/seawitch rigs to catch these prized fish. Planer rigs also work well for catching tuna. A sea-hulled yacht is a great choice for your next fishing trip.

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 are also able to safely access the Gulf Stream. This is a vital area for catching Tuna. You can fish the Gulf Stream with a boat of high speed or a smaller craft. After a few hours, you will be able to reach the tuna.

Mid-season yellowfin fishing can be very rewarding for offshore fishermen. These tuna may form a pattern over several days and respond to repeated chunking. These fish might even become regular guests to the area of congregated fish on a fishing vessel. 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 is home to the largest concentration of yellowfin tuna. Inlet is also a popular area. These areas are best for boat captains who will use ballyhoo or topwater plugs to troll and dangle lures from kites. These waters attract bigeye tuna just once every 10 years.

Management of yellowfin tuna by the NMFC

The joint management plan of NMFC, IOTC, and NMFC for yellowfin Tuna in the Atlantic Ocean was based on a premise that production of this species is concentrated in waters offshore the Gulf of Guinea. This area, which is a tuna nursery, is adjacent to west central Africa. There is also a large purseseine fishing operation. These purse-seine tuna fisheries target small fish that have been lured by fish-attracting device.

The Indian Ocean's yellowfin-tuna stock has been severely overfished. Catches continue to increase. Scientists predict that the fishery could be insolvent within five years. Many prominent food retailers call for urgent action in order to protect the Indian Ocean yellowfin fisheries. In an effort to rebuild the population, the EU, Maldives and Kenya have proposed a new interim management plan.

Since 1989, when the United Nations Environmental Program identified DGN as a source of marine mammals bycatch, the DGN fishery was under constant scrutiny. In order to monitor the fishing sector, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is using an observer program. The data collected from the observer program and other sources, including commercial fishing companies and local government, is entered into the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PSMFC), administered by the U.S. government. It is shared with the member agencies and individuals.

Using satellite tags and internal tags to track NMFC's yellowfin tuna populations is one way to monitor the population. The NMFC and LDWF have used satellite tags to track the yellowfin tuna population in the Gulf of Mexico. Satellite tags were used to monitor the tuna's life cycles. Despite the increased use of satellite tags, some satellite tags have been retained in fish over three years.

FAQ

What type of fishing license do you need?

A fishing license must be purchased if you plan on fishing in state waters (i.e. rivers, lakes and bays). The state laws require that anglers obtain a valid fishing licence before they can fish. You must have a valid fishing license if you intend to fish in federal waters, such as the Great Lakes and oceans. Fishing licenses are not required if you plan to fish in federal waters. You must check with your local authorities if you plan on taking any fish home.

What happens to a fish that is lost while I'm fishing?

You will lose fish sometimes. Sometimes, you will catch a fishing rod and then lose the fish. When this happens, just keep trying. You will eventually catch another fish.

How big should my tacklebox be?

A large tackle chest is required to keep all your fishing gear. The size of tackle boxes will vary depending on how many items are stored inside.

Is it possible to fish at night or during the day?

However, you need to be sure you are using artificial lighting. Fisherman use artificial lighting to attract them. Because fish become more active after darkness falls, artificial lights are very effective when the sun goes down.

What distance should I fish from the shore?

You are more likely to catch fish the further you stand from shore. This also increases your chances of getting wet.

Statistics

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)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
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)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)