Delicious and nutritious, yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is one of the world’s most important food fish. It lives in pelagic (open ocean) waters off both of Florida’s coasts and is a staple in seafood markets and restaurants around the state.
Can you catch yellowfin in Florida?
Florida Yellowfin Tuna Season 2022
Florida has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them on the gulf side of the state is in the fall and winter months.
What kind of tuna is caught in Florida?
In state waters: Anglers targeting bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, albacore tuna, yellowfin tuna and skipjack tuna are required to have a federal HMS Angling Permit.
Where are yellowfin tuna found?
Yellowfin tuna are found in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world, including the waters around the U.S. Pacific Islands and off southern California.
Is yellowfin tuna found in the Gulf of Mexico?
Some of the finest and most desirable species, including the world famous Yellowfin, can be found in the Gulf of Mexico.
How far out are tuna in Florida?
The Blackfin Tuna are found much closer to the coast of Stuart, Florida and range in size from 5 to 25 pounds. They start showing up about 10 miles off the beach in March/April and continue throughout the summer months.
Are there bluefin tuna in Florida?
Bluefin tuna cover thousands of miles on their annual migration, and it has been discovered that remote parts of the Gulf are used as their breeding grounds. Many of these bluefin tuna leave the Gulf after they spawn heading around the Florida peninsula.
Where do tuna live in Florida?
While the Gulf may have the largest probability of gaining a catch, you can find tuna along the entire coast of Florida. The most populated fish would be the Blackfin. Reiterating, these fish can be found throughout the coast, both the Atlantic and the Gulf.
Can you catch yellowfin tuna in the Florida Keys?
In Florida Keys waters, Yellowfin are usually an accidental catch when targeting Blackfin Tuna or Mahi-mahi, and they often break off the light tackle used for these smaller species. Yellowfin are also encountered in the Keys when fishing deep for Swordfish or Wahoo.
What is better yellowfin or blackfin tuna?
Blackfin from the Atlantic are as good as yellowfin. Different parts of a bluefin have totally different flavors (belly vs. back). For that matter winter yellowfin off North Carolina taste much better than the larger summer fish (but I wouldnt turn down either one.)
How old is a 200 pound yellowfin tuna?
Size of the Yellowfin
The growing cycle for a yellowfin tuna 8-10 pounds at one year, age 2 about 35 lbs. and at 3 years old about 75 pounds. By 4 years old a yellowfin will averages about 130 lbs and can on average get as large as 200 lbs.
Is yellowfin tuna good eating?
Skipjack and canned light tuna, which are relatively low in mercury, can be eaten as part of a healthy diet. However, albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna are high in mercury and should be limited or avoided.
How old is a 150 pound yellowfin tuna?
Young fish grow very rapidly and by the time they are 1.5 years old they weigh around 7.5 pounds. At 4 years old they weigh approximately 150 pounds. The largest yellowfin tuna taken are 10 or more years old.
When can you catch tuna in Florida?
For example, in Florida, the best months for tuna fishing are from May to September. However, while there is an average range, each species has its own optimal time period: Skipjack- May to August. Blackfin- During their spring migration.
How far out the Gulf can you catch tuna?
You don’t have to travel very far to catch them – your fishing charter will take you about 50 miles offshore you will find schools of them swimming there, but if you want an even bigger catch you can travel about 75 miles offshore because this is where the real winners are to be found.
Where are the biggest yellowfin tuna caught?
427-Pound Yellowfin Tuna / Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
His catch weighed 427 pounds at the scales. Yocom caught the monster tuna in September 2012 on a 12/0 Demon Perfect Circle Hook while chunking some 100 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, aboard his boat, El Suertudo (Spanish for, you guessed it, “The Lucky One”).
Can you catch tuna from shore in Florida?
There are a number of tuna varieties that grow near the coasts of Florida, including bluefin, skipjack, blackfin, and yellowfin. Blackfin and yellowfin are the most commonly targeted varieties of tuna.
Are there tuna in Tampa Bay?
Blackfin Tuna fishing in Tampa Bay varies moderately throughout the year. High season is May to August. Low season is January to February and December. There is no closed season.
How many yellowfin tuna can I keep?
Summary
| Species | Fishery Status | Bag Limit* |
|---|---|---|
| Albacore tuna | Open | No limit |
| Bigeye tuna | Open | No limit |
| Skipjack tuna | Open | No limit |
| Yellowfin tuna | Open | 3/person/day or trip |
Can you catch tuna on the beach?
However, some species tend to live in coastal areas, like bullet tuna, whereas others spend more time in open water, like the Atlantic bluefin. Usually tunas come close to the coast searching for food. Besides, they’re more likely to come to the shore in their juvenile stage, sometimes in large groups.
Are tuna in the Gulf?
Bluefin tuna return to the same regions of the Gulf of Mexico during spring months to spawn. Yellowfin tuna are more widely distributed throughout the warm Gulf waters and occupy the region throughout the year.