Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Charters

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Recently Booked Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Charters

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in South Padre Island

South Padre Island Deep Sea

92% (12)
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $206 / person

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Tulum

Tulum Trophy Hunt

83% (6)
25 ft 1 - 4 People From $96 / person

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Caguas

San Juan Offshore - 42’ Egg Harbour

100% (3)
42 ft 1 - 6 People From $158 / person

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Freeport

Freeport Run - 38' Luhrs

NEW
38 ft 1 - 6 People From $370 / person

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Kailua-Kona

Kona Big Game Fishing - 31’ Bertram

60% (5)
31 ft 1 - 4 People From $175 / person

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Galveston

Galveston Deep Sea Trophy Fishing

100% (2)
38 ft 1 - 6 People From $475 / person

Most Popular Types of Yellowfin Tuna Trips

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond to provide you an incredible trip, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Choose your trip by skill level

More Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Charters

Head out with Captain Raul for an exciting day of fishing! Cabo offers some of the best year-round sportfishing for big game billfish and more (perfect for escaping the cold in the winter months). Let Captain Raul land you some fish as you relax with a cold drink! On this 5 to 8-hour trip, Captain Raul will take you off the beautiful Cabo coast where you can expect to target Mahi Mahi, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Roosterfish, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Yellowtail Amberjack. You will target these trophy fish using a variety of fishing techniques such as light tackle, heavy tackle, bottom fishing, trolling, and jigging. Whether you want to actively fish with a rod in your hand or bask in the sun while Captain Raul and his boat do all the work to get a reel screaming, this trip will have you covered! Captain Raul offers this trip on several of his well-equipped offshore boats depending on your price point and number of guests. Rest assured all 7 of his vessels are more than well equipped for navigating the Baja coast and landing you some fish! On this trip, you'll be aboard a comfortable 33’ sportfisher that holds up to 8 people. This budget-friendly option has a luxurious feel, all the space you need for plenty of company, and plenty of amenities including a bathroom, cabin and fighting chair. Everything you will need for a relaxing but action-packed adventure is included on this trip! Captain Raul will provide Shimano Rods, water, drinks, ice, beer, fresh fruit and delicious snacks. All you need to bring is a Mexican saltwater fishing license as well as any sun protection you might want on the water. Captain Raul loves to entertain, so make sure to bring some good company! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo Full-Day Or Half-Day

50% (2)
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $125 / person

Let Capt. Ralph in his crews did you and your group a Deep Sea Fishing Merch. Have a lifetime you will be fishing aboard Sea CrossII this is a customize 45 foot Hatteras fully loaded with all amenities all custom tackle Capt. and first mate We will be fishing for sailfish mahi wahoo, Kingfish tuna Baracuda sharks iand more. Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Miami

Offshore Deep Sea Fishing

NEW
45 ft 1 - 6 People From $142 / person

Hop on board with Captain Jim and experience some action-packed fishing off the beautiful Mexican coast! You'll be going after some big game fish on this excursion into the stunning blue waters off the coast of Cabo with a drink in hand. Not only is Cabo San Lucas the Marlin capital of the world, but is also offers anglers the unique experience of offering top-tier sportfishing in the winter. Leave your jacket at home, because here you'll get to escape the cold and hunt trophy fish in one of the most sought after destinations for Marlin fishing! On this trip, Captain Jim will take you along the Baja coast where you can expect to target Mahi Mahi, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Roosterfish, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Yellowtail Amberjack. You will target these trophy fish using a variety of fishing techniques such as light tackle, heavy tackle, bottom fishing, trolling, and jigging (and optional dredging). Whatever the method, Captain Jim will definitely put you on some big fish! He even offers a guarantee of catching one. On this trip you'll be aboard a well-equipped 32’ Luhrs sportfisher with an included capacity for up to 6 people. This luxurious vessel has all the comfort and speed you need for an amazing trip. Everything you will need for a relaxing but action-packed adventure is included on this trip! Captain Jim will provide all rods, reels, and tackle. Breakfast, beer, tequila, premium alcohol, soda, water, ice, complimentary photography, and fish cleaning are all included in the price. Make sure to bring some good company on this fishing experience in paradise! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo Luxury Fishing - 32' Luhrs 5-8hrs

100% (4)
32 ft 1 - 6 People From $209 / person

Get out on the open sea and enjoy the fishing trip of a lifetime on this charter with Captain Danny! You'll be fully taken care of on board his luxury 55' Hatteras sportfisher. The adventure will start as you board the boat at the harbor and get a warm welcome from the captain and crew, and wont end till you're back on the dock that night. The boat is well-equipped with the latest fishing technology, including fish finders, GPS navigation systems, and top-of-the-line fishing gear. The experienced crew will guide you through the trip, offering tips on how to catch Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Wahoo, Marlin and a plethora of other species. These fish are a thrill to catch, and offer a serious challenge for anglers at every experience level! Plus, these pelagic species are delicious eating as well, whether you prepare them on the grill or in the oven. During the trip, the crew will keep you comfortable so you can enjoy the blue sky and open sea. This vessel is spacious, with air conditioning and plenty of seating, so you can relax and enjoy the view. As the day draws to a close, you'll return to the harbor with your catch, feeling proud of your fishing skills and grateful for the amazing experience. The crew will clean and prepare your fish for you to take home, and you can head to a local restaurant to have it cooked for you, or even try your hand at preparing it yourself. Overall, a deep sea fishing trip in Port Aransas, Texas aboard this luxury 55' Hatteras sportfishing vessel promises an unforgettable adventure that combines excitement, skill, and comfort, and will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime! Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Port Aransas

Luxury Offshore - 55’ Hatteras

50% (2)
55 ft 1 - 6 People From $583 / person
Damn Good

Be advised: Fuel is included in the price of this trip! Head out deep with Captain David to chase down some of the hardest fighting and finest-tasting fish the ocean has to offer. The Tuna fishing in Venice can be good year-round! Like most types of fishing though, weather patterns and fish habits can be unpredictable, not to mention Tuna notoriously spend most of their time at unreachable depths. For the best chances at giant Yellowfin Tuna look to book your trip in the Fall or Winter months and definitely book an overnight trip. Though Tuna can be caught anywhere from 5 to 200 miles offshore, the overnight trip is highly recommended if you really want the best shot at some big Yellowfin. Billfishing is also good offshore of Venice, LA. You can target Marlin, Sailfish, and even happen to hook into a Swordfish! Captain David is committed to making sure his customers have a great experience out on the water. He will work his tail off to get you onto the fish! His brand new 40' Sea Hunter is the perfect fishing vessel for these waters equipped with all the latest gear, gadgets, quality fishing tackle, and a comfortable head! Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Boothville-Venice

Deep Sea Slam With Captain David

100% (2)
40 ft 1 - 6 People From $571 / person

Climb aboard this 60' luxury sportfishing vessel to catch Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, and tons of other species while staying in sight of the shoreline with Captain Nelson! For all Captain Nelson's trips, the majority of the fishing in Miami is done just 2 to 3 miles offshore! Adding more time to your trip with Captain Nelson gives you more time to catch more species and bigger specimens. For these half or 3/4 day trips, you will mostly be trolling live bait to catch these species. That being said, Captain Nelson specializes in customizing each trip to fit your needs, so let us know if there is something specific you'd like to target or try with Captain Nelson and we'll get you quoted on a custom trip no problem! His professional, experienced crew will ensure a successful fishing trip or just a fun day on the water! Captain Nelson spends a lot of time before all his trips to make sure baits are prepped and equipment is ready to go, so you'll be ready to start trolling as soon as possible after leaving the dock! Read More

Deep Sea, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Miami

Big Game Expedition - 60' Hatteras

100% (1)
60 ft 1 - 6 People From $187 / person
See All Yellowfin Tuna Trips

Everything to Know About Booking a yellowfin tuna fishing charter

What are the best yellowfin tuna fishing charters?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 204 yellowfin tuna trips, and the most popular trips are South Padre Island Deep Sea guided by Emilio, Tulum Trophy Hunt guided by Carlos, and San Juan Offshore - 42’ Egg Harbour guided by Angel.

Our guides are rated a 4.58 out of 5 based on 2408 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly yellowfin tuna guides? Check out our beginner and family friendly yellowfin tuna guides.

What types of yellowfin tuna fishing charters are common?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular for yellowfin tuna as well as nearshore fishing and inshore fishing.

The most common fishing techniques are trolling, heavy tackle fishing, and bottom fishing but light tackle fishing and jigging are popular as well.

How much do yellowfin tuna fishing charters cost?

for yellowfin tuna prices can range anywhere from an affordable $290 to $3,000 and up, but the average price for a half day trip for yellowfin tuna is $1,470. The average price for a full day trip for yellowfin tuna is $3,563.

What month is best for yellowfin tuna fishing?

The most popular season for yellowfin tuna fishing is summer, and most anglers book their trips 69 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for yellowfin tuna and what are the bag limits for yellowfin tuna?

See here for more information on yellowfin tuna fishing licenses, yellowfin tuna bag limits, and fishing season regulations for yellowfin tuna. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right yellowfin tuna rules and regulations.

What is a yellowfin tuna?

Yellowfin tuna (thunnus albacares) is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, and is common throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It is a pelagic fish, and is among the larger of the many types of tuna. It is smaller than a bluefin and bigeye yet generally larger than a blackfin, skipjack, or albacore.

Yellowfin are distinguished from other tuna mainly by the crazy shape of their second dorsal and anal fins, which are bright yellow and extend out far from their bodies as long curved skinny fins. In mature fish these can extend quite a ways and reach back almost to the tail.

How big do yellowfin tuna get?

Yellowfin tuna will commonly reach maturity at around 2 years and 40 inches, and will weigh under 100 pounds. The fish live a relatively short lifespan of 5-10 years, but can reach upwards of 300 pounds in that span. They are certainly a much better prize than the blackfin they are often caught with.

Whats the biggest yellowfin tuna ever caught?

While yellowfin can purportedly get up to 94 inches and 440 pounds, the IGFA record currently stands at 388 pounds for a fish that was caught in 1977 off the Pacific coast of Mexico. There are a few challengers that have not been IGFA certified though, including a 405 pounder and a 425 pounder. Additionally, a massive 480 pounder was caught by spear in 2018 off the coast of the Dominican Republic. While this is not rod and reel fishing, it is certainly awesome to see such a beautiful fish and impressive to see the true potential of the size of a yellowfin.

Where is the best place to catch yellowfin tuna?

The biggest yellowfin tuna are known to be hanging around the Pacific side of Mexico, especially off the Baja Peninsula or Catalina Island. These are often targeted from San Diego in longer-range boats. Other common destinations include Puerto Vallarta, Hannibal Bank, Panama, Hawaii (where they are called Ahi), the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and Venice, LA (known for having very little travel time between marina and tuna).

Yellowfin are epipelagic, meaning they live in the open ocean, but are close to the surface where plenty of sunlight feeds plenty of plankton and life. They are usually in the top 300 ft of water.

When should I catch yellowfin tuna?

Yellowfin tuna will come closer to the shore when the water temperature is higher, so the best fishing is usually in warmer months. Because you need to head far offshore to catch them, you will also be relying on a good weather window and calm seas.

The season for yellowfin tuna in the US is always open, with the Carolinas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi having a 27'' curved FL minimum (other states have no size regulations). The Carolinas and Mississippi have a 3 fish bag limit while California has a 20 finfish bag limit, with no more than 10 fish of a single species allowed (including yellowfin tuna). Other states have no yellowfin bag regulations.

How do you catch yellowfin tuna?

Yellowfin will be caught by either trolling baits and lures, sight casting, or jigging. You can chum them up to the surface (they usually aren't too far below). They are often schooled up, so when you're on them, stay put. They also tend to like some structure, and in the Gulf of Mexico tend to be found around offshore oil rigs.

Yellowfin have great eyesight so it is recommended to have fluorocarbon leaders to reduce visibility. In terms of lure, artificials are popular and you can use tuna feathers, rapala plugs, or metal jigs. If they're on the surface, you can use flies or poppers to good effect.

Once you get one on, it's a unique fight. Rather than wearing themselves out quickly, yellowfin (and all tuna) are notorious for their deep dive and circular motion - they'll swim downward in broad circles and pull on the line all the way up. They are a powerful fish and their size combined with their strategy for staying alive makes for a tough fight.

Are yellowfin tuna good to eat? What are the best yellowfin tuna recipes?

Yellowfin is a delicacy both raw or cooked. While not as popular as its relative the bluefin, yellowfin is fast becoming a sashimi treat. Eat the fish raw right after you catch, and cook into thick steaks after that.

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

  • ★★★★★
    We enjoyed our trip with Jay. We had a big fish on the line but lost it, Jay guessed it to be around 300 lbs. We raised two others unfortunately we didn't catch one this trip, but it was fun trying. The captian answered all our questions and told us alot deep sea fishing. He was enjoyable to talk too. He spotted a large school of dolphins playing and he took us out of his way for a closer look.

    Gary S. with Jay L. of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great trip With a great crew who was accommodating and worked hard to put us on fish. Caught skipjack tuna and dorado (March is not the best month for fishing in Cabo) but we caught plenty of fish and had a great trip. I’d use this outfit again.

    Frank C. with Jim K. of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Tommy was a great guide and great company, and knew all the best spots. We caught a mahi, which Tommy filleted for us, and a barracuda! We saw sea turtles and dolphins as well - a really incredible trip overall!

    Ethan S. with Rick S. of Riviera Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Wonderful, wonderful trip! Brandon, Christian and Hugo are wonderful and made sure we caught fish! Highly recommend these folks.

    Eric S. with Leonardo G. of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo

  • ★★★★★
    I hate reviews that don’t give you all the info you need. Emilio and his crew hand did a great job they brought us to a few spot that put us on 5-10 fish at a time the boat got us where we needed to go 5-10 miles out from the docks the squid bate was decent the rods were all usable there was a restroom on board In all especially for the price I would definitely take this charter again during the summer!!! Timing matters when fishing!

    Brayden L. with Emilio S. of South Padre Island, Texas

  • ★★★★★
    We had a good time.

    Seth T. with Javano M. of Paradise Island, New Providence

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent job. The crew took very good care of us!!!!!

    Michael B. with Edgar A. of Punta Cana, La Altagracia Province

  • ★★★★★
    the captain and crew were amazing. we were treated geat right from the start. we landed 3 marlin this was a fantastic day. the captain let me hook my own fish like i requested. a lot of places do not let you do this. the day could not have been any better. my family and would like to let everyone know this trip is highly recomended. no problems no issues just a fantastic trip

    Dennis L. with Manuel J. of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

  • ★★★★★
    Leonardo was fantastic with communication and letting us know the weather. While unfortunately the weather wasn’t good enough for the port to be guaranteed open during our trip, Leonardo did his best to get us out there as safely as possible for 3 different days. I can’t speak for the fishing, but for everything else Leonardo was a 11/10.

    Zach T. with Leonardo G. of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo

  • ★★★★★
    Had an awesome time, and definitely once in a lifetime trip! Captain Gaige was very welcoming and helpful and his first mate was also very helpful with my boys and I fishing. The boat is extremely well maintained and cared for, and it sounds like they work hard to make sure it’s up to date with the latest technology to make for a great experience. We were hoping for a fun day, and got just that with our first Blue Marlin and a spearfish as well! Definitely some fun action! I will definitely be scheduling again the next time I make it out!

    Matthew O. with Gaige I. of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

  • ★★★★★
    Great captain good time..I would use him again..

    Robert with Gabriels G. of Playa Herradura, Puntarenas Province

  • ★★★★★
    Our fishing trip on the Chachi was amazing! Emilio and his deckhand, Logan, were friendly and put us on the fish.

    Kerri F. with Emilio S. of South Padre Island, Texas

  • ★★★★★
    Our trip was fantastic, Captain Marco, Kenneth, and Estephan were the best!!!!!!

    William F. with Carlos B. of Quepos, Puntarenas Province

  • ★★★★★
    Jacob and Ryan where great to us on the boat. Really helped use catch everything we could. They went above and beyond to change up bait and move to better spots so we could catch fish. Would definitely do it again

    Ryan R. with Jacob M. of Pensacola, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Coordinating this trip was a nightmare. I got passed around 3x. Lacking clear communication & response time. Would rather have used another service or booked directly with captain

    Connie K. with Craig H. of Beaufort, North Carolina

  • ★★★★★
    The trip was amazing! We all had a wonderful time, & the captain & mate were very helpful. They also answered all of our questions throughout the day. Even my son who was seasick the whole time said he was glad he went.

    Ann-Marie R. with Emilio S. of South Padre Island, Texas

  • ★★★★★
    We had a blast with Captain Jorge and Alex. Started the morning off with coffee and breakfast tacos as we headed out in search of Mahi off the Pacific side of Cabo. Caught a couple of keepers and some smaller tuna, then took our fresh Mahi over to Alexanders right across from the marina where they cook the fish a few different ways. Definitely recommend hopping on any of the trips Jim and team offer!

    Jake L. with Jim K. of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Matt Champion and his deckhand, Steve were very competent and professional. We had 8 lines out trolling for most of the 14 hour day. Steve even continued on with a good laceration on his hand from the first wahoo we caught. We landed two wahoos and didn’t get many more bites even though they had us constantly trolling with many lines in the water. Matt is a good fisherman and I’ve been out with many over the years. We would definitely recommend them as a competent pelagic fishing operation.

    Charles M. with Matthew C. of Destin, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Emilio and his first mate(I apologize for not remembering your name), were wonderful. They visited with us before departure. We were at the end of Red Snapper season, but hey, we got our limit. Plus mackerel and Bonita. Captain Emilio did an excellent job getting us to the perfect location. I will say, taking the grandchildren (9& 4 years of age), the first mate did an outstanding job teaching the curious 9/year old. She learned a lot, as did I. I’m so glad we held off deep sea fishing until we were at South Padre(the other option was in Corpus), nope this was my favorite. I would tell anyone to make an 8-hr trip, and then scale back if needed. We had our quota of Red Snapper and continued to troll for the next hour or so. I would definitely recommend Captain Emilio !!!

    Melinda P. with Emilio S. of South Padre Island, Texas

  • ★★★★★
    Emilio and crew were excellent,very happy with the experience

    Bryan J. with Emilio S. of South Padre Island, Texas

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