pelagic

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

Anomaly-driven. Warm-core eddies spinning off the Gulf Stream are the play.

Preferred water temp68–84°F

Preferred depth150–800 ft

Peak monthsMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Holds onGulf Stream edges, eddies, deep canyon walls

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — 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 27, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 10 of 10 regulations

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 6 total / vessel / day

Counts against the vessel's 6-game-fish total (tuna + dolphin + wahoo + kingfish combined). Bahamas Sport Fishing Permit required.

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Permit requiredPermit required

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

Requires NOAA HMS Angling permit. 3/person/day. 27" CFL minimum.

AL_GULF

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS permit required.

Alabama yellowfin: 3/day, 27" CFL.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS permit required.

SC yellowfin: 3/day, 27" CFL.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS permit required.

NC yellowfin: 3/day, 27" CFL.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS permit required.

FL Gulf yellowfin: 3/day, 27" CFL.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS Federal Atlantic: 27" CFL min, 3/angler/day. HMS Angling permit required.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat permit required (federal and state waters per FWC). 27" CFL. Per NOAA HMS rules.

FL Atlantic yellowfin: 3/day, 27" CFL, HMS permit required.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS permit required.

Texas yellowfin: 3/day, 27" CFL.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 27″ CFL (curved fork)

HMS permit required.

Louisiana yellowfin: 3/day, 27" CFL.