Everything You Need To Know About Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

What is a Yellowfin Tuna?

The yellowfin tuna is a large torpedo-shaped fish that inhabits tropical and subtropical waters across the world. They are known to travel great distances and are classified as a highly migratory species (HMS) although recent evidence suggests that they may not move as much as we previously thought. Yellowfin tuna get their name from the vibrant yellow color of their second dorsal fin, anal fin, and finlets.

Gulf of Mexico Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

Yellowfin tuna are one of the most sought-after fish in the Gulf of Mexico and with populations remaining stable, there is no closed season. These tuna can be caught year-round with bag limits and other regulations for harvest set by the state.

Gulf of Mexico Yellowfin Tuna Management

Although the Gulf of Mexico only makes up about 2% of the annual landings of yellowfin tuna management practices have been important in the success of the species. Management of yellowfin tuna is controlled at the federal level with Gear restrictions, Time/area closures, ad Minimum size limits. Commercial fishing operations that harvest yellowfin must have a permit to do so and overall harvest is monitored in order to prevent overfishing

Texas Yellowfin Tuna Fishing

Fishing for yellowfin tuna in Texas is unique with a long arcing coast covered in offshore platforms and only a short distance from the continental shelf. Because yellowfin are associated with structure in the open ocean these spots provide great opportunities to catch a big yellowfin tuna. The best places in Texas to take a trip to target yellowfin are:

Galveston yellowfin tuna Charters Freeport Yellowfin Tuna Charters Hitchcock Yellowfin Tuna Charters Port Aransas Yellowfin Tuna Charters Port Isabel Yellowfin Tuna Charters South Padre Island Yellowfin Tuna Charters

Texas Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

Texas has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them is in the fall and winter months.

Texas Yellowfin Tuna Limits

Texas bag limits are 3 yellowfin tuna over 27” per person per day.

Louisiana Yellowfin Tuna Fishing

The yellowfin tuna fishing in Louisiana is some of the best in the country especially out of Venice. Often called the Tuna Capital of the Gulf, more tuna are landed here than in other other place in the Gulf of Meixco. For one of the best fishing trips in the gulf, Check out our Venice Yellowfin Tuna Charters.

Louisiana Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

Louisiana has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them is in the fall and winter months.

Louisiana Yellowfin Tuna Limits

Bag limits are 3 yellowfin tuna over 27” per person per day.

Mississippi Yellowfin Tuna Fishing

With so many offshore oil rigs near Biloxi, prime fishing spots for targeting yellowfin are easy to find. Even though Mississippi only has a small coast line it is a huge yellowfin tuna hotspot in the Gulf of Mexico. To find you next trip, check out our Biloxi Yellowfin Tuna Charters

Mississippi Yellowfin Tuna Season 2022

Mississippi has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them is in the fall and winter months.

Mississippi Yellowfin Tuna Limits

The bag limit for yellowfin tuna is set at 3 fish over 27” per person per day.

Alabama Yellowfin Tuna Fishing

The yellowfin tuna fishing offshore from Alabama is top-notch with oil rigs and the continental shelf both easily accessible. For your next Alabama fishing trip, check out our Orange Beach Yellowfin Tuna Charters and Dauphin Island Yellowfin Tuna Charters.

Alabama Yellowfin Tuna Season 2022

Alabama has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them is in the fall and winter months.

Alabama Yellowfin Tuna Limits

Bag limits are 3 yellowfin tuna over 27” per person per day.

Florida Yellowfin Tuna fishing

The Florida panhandle is going to be the best place to find a charter for yellowfin tuna in the gulf because it’s easier to reach the prime fishing grounds. In Florida there is always the possibility you will catch a giant yellowfin tuna that can fight for hours. If you want to take a trip to florida, check out our Pensacola Yellowfin Tuna Charters, Destin Yellowfin Tuna Charters, and Panama City Beach Yellowfin Tuna Charters.

Florida Yellowfin Tuna Season 2022

Florida has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them on the gulf side of the state is in the fall and winter months.

Florida Yellowfin Tuna Limits

Bag limits are 3 yellowfin tuna over 27” per person per day.

Atlantic Yellowfin Tuna Season 2022 - https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-yellowfin-tuna

Atlantic Yellowfin Tuna Management

The 2019 stock assessment of Atlantic yellowfin tuna shows their population is above the management levels meaning it is not overfished. Management of yellowfin tuna is controlled at the federal level with Gear restrictions, Time/area closures, and Minimum size limits. Commercial fishing operations that harvest yellowfin must have a permit to do so and overall harvest is monitored in order to prevent overfishing

Florida Yellowfin Tuna Fishing

The Atlantic coast of Florida has plenty of places to find yellowfin with offshore structure and open water a short distance away. The tuna fishing here is incredible with tons of big yellowfin being landed every year. To find a trip on the Atlantic side of the state check out Stuart Yellowfin Tuna Charters, Miami Yellowfin Tuna Charters, Fort Lauderdale Yellowfin Tuna Charters, and St. Augustine Yellowfin Tuna Charters.

Florida Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

Florida has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them on the Atlantic side is in April and May.

Florida Yellowfin Tuna Limits

The bag limits for the Atlantic Coast of Florida are 3 yellowfin tuna over 27” per person per day.

South Carolina Yellowfin Tuna fishing

In South Carolina, there is only one place to go when it comes to yellowfin tuna fishing and that's Charleston. Charleston Yellowfin Tuna Charters have some of the most famous fishing grounds only a short boat ride away.

South Carolina Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

South Carolina has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them is in April and May.

South Carolina Yellowfin Tuna Limits

South Carolina bag limits are 3 yellowfin tuna over 27” per person per day.

New Jersey Yellowfin Tuna Fishing

Cape May Yellowfin Tuna Charters are the best in the state for putting you on the best tuna fishing spots. With easy access to the best fishing opportunities in the northeast United States, it will be your best bet to catch a monster yellowfin tuna.

New Jersey Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

New Jersey has no closed season on yellowfin tuna but the best time to catch them is from April through June

New Jersey Yellowfin Tuna Limits

The New Jersey bag limits are 3 yellowfin tuna over 27” per person per day.

Pacific Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

The season is open year-round but there are federal regulations in place to try and prevent overfishing. In addition, states may make additional restrictions and regulations.

Pacific Yellowfin Tuna Management

The most recent stock assessment shows that the pacific population of yellowfin tuna is not overfished and means that currently the management practices are working to protect this species. The regulation currently in place for yellowfin include size limits, bag limits, and gear restrictions.

California Yellowfin Tuna Fishing

If you are going to California for tuna, San Diego is the go to spot. San Diego is known as the Tuna Capital of the world and that definitely includes yellowfin. For some of the best fishing in the world check out San Diego Yellowfin Tuna Charters.

California Yellowfin Tuna Season 2023

There is no closed season on yellowfin tuna in California but the best time to catch them is April through September.

California Yellowfin Tuna Limits

The bag limits for yellowfin tuna in California are 10 fish per day with at least 5 being over 24” inches in length.