pelagic

Bigeye Tuna

Thunnus obesus

Daytime deep tuna — feeds at the thermocline (typically 250-800 ft). The 20°C isotherm depth is exactly where bigeye stack. Night chunking on the shelf edge for shallower water work.

Preferred water temp50–78°F

Preferred depth200–1500 ft

Peak monthsAug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Holds onthermocline edge, deep canyons, Gulf Stream margins

In our regions

Big Bend — GulfNortheast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 26, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 1 of 7 regulations for Alabama

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS permit required.

Alabama bigeye: 27" CFL.