Tuna fishing in Florida: blackfin, yellowfin and charters
Offshore tuna fishing in the Florida Keys, Miami and Palm Beach with local captains.
Florida’s go-to tuna is the blackfin: fast, hard-pulling and delicious, caught on offshore humps and along the Gulf Stream. Here’s when and where to go, how to catch them, and where to book.
What kind of tuna can you catch in Florida?
Most tuna caught in Florida are blackfin tuna, found year-round off the Florida Keys, Miami and Palm Beach and best from late fall through spring. Yellowfin tuna are caught farther offshore, especially in the Gulf in spring and summer. Tuna are caught chunking, live-baiting, trolling and jigging over humps, wrecks and the Gulf Stream edge.
Thunnus atlanticusMeet the blackfin tuna
Also called: Blackfin, football tuna; Florida also has yellowfin and skipjack
- Typical size
- 10–25 lb; big fish top 30 lb
- Biggest
- The smallest true tuna: rarely over 40 lb (yellowfin can top 200 lb)
- Where it lives
- Offshore humps, wrecks and the Gulf Stream edge, especially off the Keys and South Florida
- How to spot it
- Dark blue back, silver sides, bronze side stripe and dark (not yellow) finlets
- What it eats
- Ballyhoo, pilchards, flying fish, squid and shrimp
- Can you keep it?
- Yes, within the state bag limit; yellowfin and bluefin need federal permits (FWC tuna rules)
Tuna never stop swimming: they need moving water over their gills to breathe.
Blackfin vs yellowfin tuna
The two tuna you are most likely to catch off Florida:
| Blackfin | Yellowfin | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 10–25 lb | 30–100+ lb |
| Where | Keys humps, wrecks, Gulf Stream edge | Far offshore, Gulf rigs and canyons |
| Best season | Late fall to spring | Spring and summer (Gulf) |
| Fins | Dark finlets, bronze stripe | Bright yellow finlets and long fins |
| Rules | State bag limit | Federal HMS rules |
Tuna fishing charters
Offshore trips where tuna are on the menu:
How to catch tuna
Tips from our offshore captains:
Chunking
Anchor or drift over a hump and throw chunks of cut bait to build a chum line, then drift a hooked chunk back with it.
Live bait
Free-line live pilchards in the chum. Light fluorocarbon leader and a small circle hook get far more bites.
Trolling and jigging
Troll small feathers and lures at first light, or vertical jig over wrecks and humps.
Rules
Bag limits and permits: FWC tuna rules. Charter captains carry the federal permits.
Book a trip
Pick a port below or browse Fishing charters by town. Tackle, bait and the license are included.
Before you go
Offshore can be rough; bring motion-sickness medicine, sunscreen, a hat and drinks.
Best places to go tuna fishing in Florida
Pick a port (lowest deep sea trip price on its page, or call to book):
Treasure Coast & Palm Beaches
Fort Lauderdale & Miami
Fish you catch on a tuna trip
Offshore trips also catch:
Seasons, size and bag limits apply: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Tuna fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Peak blackfin in the Keys
- Humps and wrecks
- Chunking
Spring Mar–May
- Blackfin still strong
- Gulf yellowfin start
- Mahi arrive
Summer Jun–Aug
- Gulf yellowfin
- Early-morning blackfin
- Calm seas
Fall Sep–Nov
- Blackfin build again
- Wahoo season
- Fronts bring fish
Recent guest reviews
5.07 reviewsReviews from our Florida fishing trips.
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
A most delightful town
The town of New Smyrna is worth seeing and visiting. We enjoyed walking along the waterfront. You can drive your car to the beach. Ate dinner near the water at one of the Town Tavern which featured a live band. My friend and I went fishing, what fun, highly recommend it!
Lisa Wilson · January 2021
Obstacles conquered!
Started out with a full moon the night before and wind blowing 3 times what was forecast but Captain Brad had a plan. We got out and in no time had fish on! I had no expectations for what we might catch which turned out great 8 different species and two nice redfish! I had a great time!
Doug M. · March 2019 · TripAdvisor
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Four hour trip with Captain Brad
We had a great time with Captain Brad. He had us on the fish right away in the morning and always kept us moving looking for more. He was very knowledgeable.
Eli L · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Book a tuna fishing charter
Pick a port and date, or let us match you with an offshore captain.
Florida Keys offshore trips are booked by phone.
Saltwater license covered by the captain on saltwater trips. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
Tuna fishing FAQ
What kind of tuna can you catch in Florida?
Blackfin tuna are by far the most common, caught all around South Florida and the Keys. Yellowfin tuna show up offshore in the Gulf and Atlantic, and skipjack and little tunny (“bonito”) are common too. Bluefin are rare off Florida.
When is tuna season in Florida?
Blackfin bite year-round, with the best fishing from late fall through spring, especially in the Florida Keys and off Miami and Palm Beach. Yellowfin are best in the Gulf in spring and summer.
Where is the best tuna fishing in Florida?
The Florida Keys, especially offshore humps near Islamorada and Marathon, plus Key West, Miami and Palm Beach where the Gulf Stream runs close to shore.
How do you catch blackfin tuna?
Chunking and live-baiting with pilchards over humps and wrecks, trolling small feathers and lures at dawn and dusk, and vertical jigging. Light leader and small hooks get more bites.
Is blackfin tuna good to eat?
Yes. Blackfin is excellent fresh as sashimi, seared or grilled. Keep it on ice right away.
What are the tuna rules in Florida?
Blackfin tuna have state bag limits, and yellowfin and bluefin are federally managed and need an HMS permit when fishing from a private boat. Charter captains carry the right permits. See the FWC tuna rules.
How much is a tuna fishing charter?
Tuna trips are deep sea charters. On iOutdoors, Florida deep sea trips start from $700 in Fort Pierce, $900 in Palm Beach and $1,100 in Miami, priced per boat. Florida Keys trips are booked by phone at (407) 392-4593.