Waterlands

Species guide · North Carolina

Yellowfin tuna fishing in North Carolina

Thunnus albacares, a pelagic species also called ahi, yellowfin and allison tuna. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Off season, about 6 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM at 35, one of 2 North Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Off season
Where it's scoring nowAll North Carolina waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Off season, about 6 more weeks
  1. Jan: Shoulder season
  2. Feb: Shoulder season
  3. Mar: Peak season
  4. Apr: Peak season
  5. May: Peak season
  6. Jun: Shoulder season
  7. Jul: Off season
  8. Aug: Off season
  9. Sep: Off season
  10. Oct: Off season
  11. Nov: Shoulder season
  12. 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 · 2

North Carolina bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's yellowfin tuna score this hour.

1
35Fair
Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 1 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 12 AM (35) · 7 named spots

2
35Fair
Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm

Best window today 1 AM-12 AM (35) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 12 AM (35) · 1 named spot

Not scored in this forecast: Albemarle Sound, Alligator River, Croatan and Roanoke Sounds, Currituck Sound, Neuse and Bay Rivers, Pamlico and Pungo Rivers and Pamlico Sound.

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

NCDMF saltwater regulations Buy a North Carolina fishing license License types

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with NCDMF Sep 18, 2026.

No reviewed yellowfin tuna rule for North Carolina is on file yet. Check with NCDMF before you keep one.

Other North Carolina species