fishing tackle

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing -- The Basics

By Bill Rollins 15 April, 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 can help you maximize your fishing experiences and catch the most yellowfin possible. These tips will help you catch a yellowfin monster once you have mastered them all.

Season

The season for yellowfin Tuna Fishing in North Caroline is variable. Even though recreational anglers may catch yellowfins all year, spring is the best season to fish for these dangerous predators. 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. Although these huge fish appear like 50-pounders, they fight fiercely and are capable of running strong.

The Northeast Corner of Big Rock has the highest concentrations of baitfish and the strongest currents. During billfish tournaments, the northeast corner is the preferred location for angling for yellowfin. Dillon says that it is better to fish elsewhere during weekdays, as small boats and other vessels can cause problems with fighting and trolling. If you can find calmer, more peaceful waters to catch the tuna, then fishing in Big Rock may not be necessary.

Yellowfin tuna may be caught in calmer waters in the summer. Yellowfins will only tolerate 70-78 degrees of water. However, they won't be comfortable with temperatures exceeding 90°F. 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. Good indicators of where they are located are bonitos or glass minnows.

Spring: Yellowfins can be found in abundance along the coast of North Carolina's Gulf Stream. 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. 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. While other tuna species spawn year round, the yellowfin will run closer to shore in order 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 is prized as table food, so NC fishing charters concentrate their efforts on this species.

North Carolina is best for tuna fishing from a large boat charter. While the fishing season can vary greatly, recreational anglers still catch tuna throughout winter. Yellowfin tuna often catch on artificial lures as well as ballyhoo/seawitch fishing rigs. For these fish, a planer can be used. Try a fishing charter with larger boats for a more difficult day.

Blue/white Ilander skirts and multi-colored spreader bars are common on charter boats. Yellowfin are attracted by pink and other green colors. If you have the time, try a black/purple skirt on overcast days. If you don't have the budget to spend on bait, you might consider a naked rigged one. 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 work well when the conditions are right. These lures will draw more attention than natural baits rigged for hooks. To ensure that your lures don't bounce around in the water, adjust the hook length.

Schooling species

There are several reasons why yellowfin tunas are called schooling species. They often swim in groups consisting of at least two species. Other types of fish, such as sharks and billfish, are often in these groups, but yellowfin are unique in that they typically school together. Yellowfin school together and are known for congregating with driftwood patches, seagrass patches, dead marine mammals, and other fish.

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. General school fidelity develops before the larval cohorts disperse, thereby preserving most 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 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.

They are most often found offshore but can occasionally be seen near the shore. They eat mid-ocean baitfish. Under certain circumstances, the yellowfin tuna inshore may reach the continental shelf. According to the researchers, these fish might migrate between mid-ocean and open oceans. Therefore, it is vital to observe yellowfin Tuna in their natural habitats as they may associate drifting items with them.

Boats

Many types of fishing boat are used in North Carolina to fish for yellowfin. Charter fishing boats that have large sea hulls and are well-known for their charter capabilities are the best. These fish are caught by boat captains using artificial lures and seawitch rigs. Planer rigs work well to catch tuna. 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.

In North Carolina, yellowfins are abundant and can be reached by experienced anglers who have a Harris sportfisherman of 24 feet. 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.

For offshore fishing enthusiasts, mid-season yellowfin can be especially rewarding. These tuna may form a pattern over several days and respond to repeated chunking. These fish might become regular visitors on fishing boats to the congregated area. Offshore fishermen love the challenge of trolling yellowfin for their catch and the excitement of a quick blitz. They also love the unique 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. These areas are ideal for boat captains to troll using topwater and ballyhoo plugs and dangle baits from their kites. These waters attract bigeye tuna just once every 10 years.

Yellowfin tuna management by the NMFC

The joint management plan of NMFC & IOTC for yellowfin tona in Atlantic Ocean is based in part on the premise of concentrated production in waters off Gulf of Guinea. This tuna nursery is located adjacent to west and central Africa. A large purse-seine-fishery also exists. These purseseine fisheries target small, vulnerable tunas.

The Indian Ocean's yellowfin fish stock is overfished. However, catches are increasing. Scientists fear that the fishery will collapse in five years. 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 UNEP identified the DGN fishery as a marine mammal bycatch source, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), has been closely monitoring it. 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 given to the member agencies, as well to private individuals.

Satellite tags and internal tags can be used to monitor the yellowfin tuna stocks at NMFC. LDWF as well as the NMFC have used the satellite tags to monitor the Gulf of Mexico population of yellowfins tuna. Satellite tags, on the other hand, have been used to monitor the life cycles of tuna. Despite recent increases in satellite tags, some tags were retained in fish for longer than three years.

FAQ

What kind of gear do you need for fishing?

A rod, reel, line, hooks, bait, tackle box, and some snacks. You will need to know how to cast, hook up a hook and use a trolling motor to catch fish. Be patient and wait until you catch the fish.

Are special licenses necessary to fish?

You cannot unless you plan on taking fish out of the state or beyond county boundaries. Many states allow anglers fish without the need for a license. For more information, contact your local Fish & Wildlife department.

Where can you fish the most?

Fishing near freshwater bodies is the best option. These areas are rich in fish food.

Statistics

Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
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)
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)