Species guide · Florida
Yellowfin tuna fishing in Florida
Thunnus albacares, a pelagic species also called ahi, yellowfin and allison tuna. Listed for the Eastern Gulf and South Atlantic regions. Off season, about 21 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Coastal Waters From Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola FL out to 20 Nm at 49, one of 11 Florida bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Off seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Eastern Gulf
Off season, about 21 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: May to Jul. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Oct.
Research notes, Eastern Gulf region
Mostly an Alabama, Mississippi and Florida Panhandle fishery at deepwater platforms and DeSoto Canyon 60 to 115 miles out, fished hardest May-October when weather allows. The Florida Gulf coast south of the Panhandle rarely has yellowfin within practical range.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
South Atlantic
Shoulder season, about 17 more weeks- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Peak season
- Apr: Peak season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Off season
- Aug: Off season
- Sep: Off season
- Oct: Off season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
Peak: Mar to May. In season (shoulder or peak): Nov to Jun.
Research notes, South Atlantic region
North Carolina lands more recreational yellowfin by weight than any other state (NCDMF). Hatteras and Oregon Inlet fish peak late winter through spring along Gulf Stream edges and eddies, with a second push in late fall. South Carolina and Georgia Gulf Stream trips see them mainly in spring.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 11
Florida bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's yellowfin tuna score this hour.
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (49) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 6 PM (54) · 39 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (49) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 6 PM (54) · 24 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (49) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 6 PM (54) · 131 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (48) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 6 PM (54) · 49 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (48) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 6 PM (54) · 20 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (48) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 6 PM (54) · 81 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Sun, Nov 8 at 4 PM (55) · 22 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 7 AM (55) · 4 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Mon, Nov 9 at 12 AM (58) · 21 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (58) · 88 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (59) · 92 named spots
Not scored in this forecast: Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay, Pensacola Bay Area including Santa Rosa Sound, St. Andrews Bay Waterways, Tampa Bay waters and Western Choctawhatchee Bay.
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 66°F to 88°F, best between 72°F and 82°F.
- Water depth
- 100 to 10000 ft of water.
- Structure
- Bluewater, canyon, ledge, bank, pinnacle and open water, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.Tide stage has little influence offshore. Current edges, eddies (warm-core eddies in the Gulf), temperature breaks and bait around platforms and FADs drive the bite.
- Light
- Bites best around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Yellowfin feed in blue water along canyon edges, the shelf break, current edges, deepwater platforms and FADs, usually from the surface to about 300 feet. Troll ballyhoo, spreader bars and cedar plugs early in the day, then chunk butterfish or sardines, fish live hardtails, or drop jigs to marks. Around Gulf platforms and in the canyons the night bite on chunks and jigs is often better than the day.
- Methods
- trolling, chunking, live bait, vertical jigging, popping
- Lures
- skirted ballyhoo rigs, spreader bars, daisy chains, cedar plugs, diving plugs, butterfly and knife jigs, poppers
- Bait
- ballyhoo, butterfish chunks, sardine, live blue runner (hardtail), squid, flying fish
Regulations
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Synced with FWC Oct 31, 2026.
No reviewed yellowfin tuna rule for Florida is on file yet. Check with FWC before you keep one.
Other Florida species
- Black sea bass
- Bluefish
- Bonefish
- Common snook
- Crevalle jack
- Florida pompano
- Gag grouper
- King mackerel
- Little tunny
- Red drum
- Southern flounder
- Spanish mackerel
- Spotted seatrout
- Wahoo
- Weakfish
- Atlantic croaker
- Atlantic tarpon
- Black drum
- Cobia
- Gray snapper
- Gray triggerfish
- Greater amberjack
- Permit
- Red grouper
- Red snapper
- Sailfish
- Sheepshead
- Spot
- Striped bass
- Summer flounder
- Mahi-mahi