Fishing Tips

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Florida

By Ken Roberts 22 August, 2023 7 mins read

You can find out more about Yellowfin Tuna and how to catch it in this article. These giants can be caught with the right bait and lures. Cedar plugs and poppers are good options. Ballyhoo (skippjacks) and sardines work well as live bait to attract these fish. Also, frozen bait can be used.

When is the best time to catch yellowfin tuna fish in Florida

There are certain peak fishing seasons in Florida. The summer is the time when yellowfin tuna migrate offshore, so warm water temperatures are the best time for you to catch one. They will take up residence at the coast and eat sand eels, as well as other baitfish, during this time. Trollers are able to catch them inshore in shallow water. These large fish can be caught in a variety of ways, including jigging or kite fishing. These fish have a high sense of smell and have incredible vision, so they are the ideal targets for a good hook-up.

Mid-February is the best time to catch Yellowfin. These fish move to the Gulf of Mexico around this time, but you can target them around structures. These species are difficult to catch, and they are the largest. Live bait and small chunks can be used to catch them. Below are the best times to fish for yellowfin tuna.

Tuna love low-light conditions, so you can fish in the middle of the day if you're in the right place. This is particularly true for blackfin. These fish are best caught between dawn and sunset. Yellowfin tuna also have an active night time, so be ready to stay up till the early hours of the morning to catch them. To cast to the blackfin, you will need a medium-heavy fishing rod. A 50-pound leader and a circle hook are enough for fishing in Florida's coastal waters.

The Florida Keys are a great spot to catch these pelagic fish if you are looking for a charter. The state is home to many fishing and salwater ports. The best time to fish in Florida is spring and summer, which are great for tuna fishing. Before you start your fishing adventures, be sure to check out regulations and bait. You will have the best luck planning a Florida fishing trip.

Yellowfin tuna is a favorite prey

Yellowfin tuna are blessed with a sharp eye. They can see anomalies in the structure of rigs or lines and detect them quickly. They are more likely to remain deeper in the water column in the spring and the summer. During the fall and winter, however, their time spent at depth increases. The yellowfin tuna are able detect any changes in rigs/baits and can react quickly and efficiently to them.

The yellowfin tuna body is deep beneath the first dorsal tip and tapers to a point just near the caudal penducle. Their dorsal fins are very long, but they are only one-third of the body's length. They have seven to ten dorsal filets. Unlike other species of tuna, their tails lack pigment.

The yellowfin tuna prey includes a variety marine creatures. Their primary diet is made up of fish, crustaceans, and seabirds. However, their largest predators - toothed whales and pelagic sharks - are the main threat to the species' survival. They also take in other tunas and other kinds of fish, including dolphinfish, flyingfish, and anchovy.

The Florida yellowfin fishery has been declining in productivity, however, there is still plenty of bluefin as well. You can catch blackfin tuna year-round despite its size. But, spring and summer are the best times to catch them. The best place to fish for beginners is off the coast Florida. Lady J Sportfishing at New Smyrna Beach and Maximus Sportfishing at Destin offer great Florida fishing adventures. Yellowfin enjoy cruising close by shore, feeding and cruising when the weather warms.

Yellowfin tuna predators can be varied, but the best places to look for them are off-shore near wrecks and reefs. These yellowfin tuna are also known to congregate around floating objects. Birds that dive into water can be a great indicator of where they are. If you have the right tools and baits, it's possible to catch them. To capture multiple bites, you have to be fast. You must be alert to keep your eyes open!

Lures

When it comes to fishing for yellowfin tuna in Florida, lures are an excellent choice. Lures that are fast-trolling can catch yellowfins tuna. These fish will eat small mackerel or sand-eels as baitfish. Trollers are the best way to catch yellowfin tuna off shore, but you also have options for live bait such as skipjack, herring, and ballyhoo.

The best way to catch these giants is to cast out in waters near the Loop Current, which will bring you the biggest fish. As yellowfins will often strike brightly colored lures, it is important that you use vivid lures. Yellowfin lures such as poppers or jigs should be cast at around 80 miles offshore. Yellowfin tuna are 60-80 miles off Stuart's coast.

A live skipjack is another option to catch tuna. Yellowfin Tuna can be lured to the baitfish by keeping them at the surface. It is possible to catch giants with live Skipjack, although it isn't the best tactic. Slow trolling is a great way to catch live Skipjack and Marlin.

Flicker tails and other jerky-looking fish attract yellowfin tuna. You could also use a popper or another artificial bait. The Boone black-magic lure pack is an excellent option for live bait fishing in Florida. The jig kit includes six quality baits as well as a mesh bag to keep them dry. You can use the lures alone or on spreader bars. The green machine is a good bait for catching tuna in Florida. Although it is difficult to find this bait, it can still work miracles.

Bait

If you are planning on fishing for Yellowfin Tuna in Florida, you must know how to properly rig your live bait. It's a known fact that small live baits placed above structures will catch them. It is possible to attract other species as well. Other species include triggers, jacks, snapper and grouper. If you're trying to catch multiple fish at once, the three-way pivot is especially helpful.

If you're looking for Yellowfin bait, it is important to decide whether you will use live or frozen bait. Skipjack or sardine are great live bait options. They will take live bait and chunks are great. A circle hook is a good choice for the latter. You should ensure that the bait is free to drift naturally and has enough line. The fish will immediately take off if it grabs the bait.

It doesn't matter if you fish for Yellowfin Tuna in Florida, or anywhere else in the world, you need to be familiar with how to properly prepare bait. Yellowfin Tuna are big fish, typically weighing between 40 and 60 pounds. Because of their large size, they often travel with dolphins. Birds can also be used to search for small schooling fish. The bait can then be used to catch these amazing fish.

When it comes to choosing a bait for yellowfin tuna fishing in Florida, you should look for the fish that will eat your bait. Although the majority of these fish are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, the Gulf of Mexico holds the greatest number of species. Other species may not be regulated but they do not have to follow the same rules. While you should make sure that you have the right bait for your yellowfin tuna fishing in Florida, it is advisable to go with a live bait.

Localities

Yellowfin tuna can be caught in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. You can go fishing for them in mid-February, when they start to spread out into more extensive areas. If you are searching for them in a more restricted area, you could target them nearby structures. These are the top spots to spot them.

The waters surrounding Tampa Bay and Key West are the best areas to fish for yellowfin. Yellowfin fish feed near the top, making them difficult to spot. They are fond of striking brightly colored lures so popping and jigging are very popular methods. Live bait is also a good choice for luring these big fish into the boat. If you can spot a school or small fish, then you are on the right track.

The Gulf Coast of Florida has great fishing for yellowfin tuna, but you have to travel further to reach them. The Gulf Coast can be used for bottom fishing to catch deep-ocean species. While the Atlantic coast can be used for tuna, it is also ideal for bottom fishing. People who like drift fishing should consider the Gulf Coast where there is plenty of tuna. You might also consider the Keys if you prefer to be closer to the shore. These Keys are the fishing capital in the world.

Early morning departures are the best way to reach deep water tuna. The tuna will only be active in deep water if a skilled boat captain is able to get there. Sometimes, you might catch a Yellowfin Tuna weighing 100 pounds in one trip. It is an exciting way for Yellowfin to be caught!

FAQ

Are there any special licenses required to fish?

No, unless you are going to fish in another state or county. Most states permit anglers to fish with no license. To find out what license is required, check with your local Fish & Wildlife Agency.

What should I wear to fish?

Protect your skin from the elements with clothes. There are many options for protecting yourself: gloves, sunglasses sunscreen, gloves and a head hat. Also, bring along insect repellent.

Is it safe and legal to eat fish caught from another source?

It doesn't matter where you buy fish. Always ask the seller if their fish has a freshness expiration date. The fish is safe to eat if it doesn't have an expiration. But, don't eat the fish if it smells or looks old.

Are there any restrictions on when I can fish?

But you must ensure that you use artificial light. Fishermen use artificial lights to attract fish. They are most effective after the sun sets, when fish are more active.

Is it necessary to wear special clothing for fishing?

You need protection from the elements. A waders suit is usually worn while fishing. Waders cover the legs and feet with waterproof pants. Some wader suits come with boots attached to them. Others wader suits can be used without boots.

What is the average time it takes to become a professional fisherman?

Expert fishermanship takes practice over many years. Being a successful fisherman will require you to master new techniques and enhance your skills.

How deep should I go with my line?

Cast your line as deep as possible. Cast a line with your straight arm so the line doesn’t twist.

Statistics

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)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)