Species guide · Virginia
Little tunny fishing in Virginia
Euthynnus alletteratus, a pelagic species also called false albacore, albie and fat albert. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 2 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in James River from JRB to HRBT, Including the Elizabeth River at 75, one of 10 Virginia bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Mid-Atlantic
Shoulder season, about 2 more weeks- Jan: Not present
- Feb: Not present
- Mar: Not present
- Apr: Not present
- May: Not present
- Jun: Off season
- Jul: Off season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Peak season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Not present
Peak: Sep to Oct. In season (shoulder or peak): Aug to Nov.
Research notes, Mid-Atlantic region
Montauk and the New Jersey coast see the heaviest inshore feeds from September into October as fish move south.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 10
Virginia bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's little tunny score this hour.
Best window today 3-6 PM (75) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 9 AM (77) · 32 named spots
Best window today 3-6 PM (73) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (76) · 45 named spots
Best window today 3-7 PM (72) · Best day Fri, Nov 6 at 7 AM (75) · 24 named spots
Best window today 10 AM-12 PM (68) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (74) · 135 named spots
Best window today 10 AM-9 PM (70) · Best day Fri, Nov 6 at 7 AM (77) · 99 named spots
Best window today 3-8 PM (70) · Best day Fri, Nov 6 at 7 AM (75) · 33 named spots
Best window today 2-5 PM (74) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (76) · 4 named spots
Best window today 10-11 AM (66) · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (72) · 89 named spots
Best window today 4-8 PM (70) · Best day Fri, Nov 6 at 8 AM (76) · 25 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 58°F to 82°F, best between 63°F and 74°F.
- Water depth
- 5 to 150 ft of water.
- Structure
- Inlet, point, rip, jetty, shoal, open water, reef and beach, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water and outgoing tide, with moderate current.Albies pin bait against points, jetties and inlet mouths on a moving tide, and the ebb out of inlets often sets up the best surface feeds. In open water they follow bait more than the tide.
- Light
- Bites best around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 4 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Little tunny travel fast in schools that pin bait against inlets, points, jetties and tide rips, usually within a few miles of shore and often in less than 60 feet. Stay off the school's path, wait for it to surface within range, and cast small metal or epoxy jigs with a fast retrieve. When fish stay down, troll small feathers along bait edges and color changes to find them.
- Methods
- sight casting, run and gun, trolling, fly fishing, live bait
- Lures
- small metal casting jigs, epoxy jigs, slim soft plastic jerkbaits, small trolling feathers, surf candy style flies
- Bait
- live pinfish, live spot, live pilchards, bay anchovies
Regulations
Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Synced with VMRC Nov 4, 2026.
No reviewed little tunny rule for Virginia is on file yet. Check with VMRC before you keep one.