Bluefin Tuna Fishing: Spots, Seasons, and Pro Tips

Bluefin Tuna fishing has rapidly become one of the most popular forms of game fishing, with anglers worldwide attempting to land one of these monster offshore fish. Some clever marketing during the 1970s and 80s turned this once unwanted fish into one of the most popular gamefish species in the world, and combined with high demand for premium sushi, the legend of Bluefin Tuna was cemented.

Record-breaking Bluefin Tuna started selling in Japanese fish markets for millions of dollars, driving up demand even more, and the popularity of these beautiful fish only continued to skyrocket.

Anglers worldwide invest thousands of dollars in Bluefin Tuna fishing equipment, charter trips, and boats and spend days offshore chasing these monster fish just for the opportunity to feel the adrenaline of hooking, battling, and finally landing one of these majestic fish. So, strap yourself into your game chair and get comfortable while we do a full breakdown of everything that you’ll need to know about Bluefin Tuna fishing.

In the following guide to Bluefin Tuna Fishing, we’ll cover:

If you’re interested in Bluefin Tuna fishing, be sure to check out our article on Tuna Fishing Seasons: A Comprehensive Guide, where we discuss everything you need to know about Tuna seasons, including the best time of year to go fishing for Bluefin Tuna.

Thanks to the Fishbox App, a premium downloadable Fishing Forecasting App you can take fishing with you, you’ll know the best time to plan your Saltwater Bass fishing trip, including when Saltwater Bass are most active and even some local hotspots to try your luck.

Expert Opinion on Bluefin Tuna Fishing

What Is a Bluefin Tuna?

Bluefin Tuna are one of the largest of the Tuna species and can live up to 40 years, making them also one of the oldest Tuna species. Able to dive to depths of over 3,000 feet, Bluefin has a massive range and is found in every ocean in the world, making it one of the most widespread fish species in the world.

Built for speed, with a body shaped like a torpedo, Bluefin Tuna have fins that retract and tuck away seamlessly into their bodies, and even their eyes are set flush with the body, creating a beautifully sleek and streamlined shape built for maximum speed and efficiency.

Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus Thynnus, need to consume a massive amount of food to maintain their energy levels. From the moment they’re born, Bluefin Tuna is hunting smaller fish, including Mackerel and Herring. The three main species of Bluefin Tuna include Atlantic Bluefin (these are the biggest of the three and also the most under pressure due to overfishing), Pacific Bluefin Tuna, and Southern Bluefin Tuna.

With an average length of 6 to 13 feet and weighing up to 2,000 pounds, hooking a Bluefin Tuna is like attaching your line to a small car heading in the opposite direction, with these hard-fighting fish taking massive runs.

While they live a long time and grow to massive proportions, Bluefin Tuna grow slower than other species and don’t start reproducing until they’re almost 8 years old. It’s this slow growth rate and high reproduction age that requires fish stocks to be carefully managed to prevent overfishing.

What’s the difference between Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Bluefin Tuna? 

The most significant difference between the three main species of Bluefin Tuna, Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Bluefin Tuna, is their home range, size, and migratory patterns. 

• Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are the largest of the three Bluefin varieties, weighing up to 2,000 pounds, and are found in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Pacific Bluefin Tuna are smaller than their Atlantic cousins, weighing in at around 1,000 pounds, and are found primarily in the North Pacific Oceans, with a home range that extends from the west coast of North America to East Asia.
• Southern Bluefin Tuna are the smallest of the three Bluefin Tuna species, weighing on average 500 pounds, and are found in the Southern Oceans close to New Zealand and Australia.

Where Can You Catch Bluefin Tuna?

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best Bluefin Tuna fishing spots in the world and then narrow down the best locations in the USA to head out to the ocean and catch a Bluefin.

The World’s Best Bluefin Tuna Locations 

• Prince Edward Island, Canada – Prince Edward Island has earned its reputation as one of the premiere Bluefin Tuna fishing destinations in the world. It has a massive population of Bluefin Tuna; the season runs from around June through to October. Trolling, live baits, and chunking offshore are the most popular methods anglers use to land a Bluefin Tuna.
• South Australia, Australia – Southern Bluefin Tuna are caught all round the Australian coastline, but one of the best states most frequented by anglers heading out after SBTs. The main ports used as jumping-off ports for anglers include Victor Harbour, Eyre Peninsula, and Port MacDonnell, with trolling lures and baits, which are the most popular fishing methods.
• Cape Cod, USA – If you live in the USA and in Massachusetts specifically, you’re fortunate to be located on the doorstep of one of the world’s biggest Bluefin Tuna fisheries. The season typically runs from June through to November, so there are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water and experience some hot Bluefin action for yourself. Most anglers heading out of Cape Cod go out near the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and troll live baits and lures.
• Sicily, Italy – The Mediterranean Sea is not only the most significant spawning ground for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna but also home to some of the world’s biggest Tuna. The season in Sicily starts a little earlier than in North America, running from May through to June, and most anglers troll with lures or use live baits.
• Shimon, Kenya – For the adventurous Bluefin angler, heading to Shimoni, Kenya, could be the absolute trip of a lifetime. The Bluefin season on this content runs from the start of July through to September, using a variety of techniques.

The Best Bluefin Tuna Locations in the USA

Luckily, anglers in the USA have a variety of amazing Bluefin Tuna fishing locations to choose from. So, if you’ve always wanted to catch a Bluefin for yourself, the best way to achieve that will be by heading to one of the locations. 

If you don’t have access to a boat or game fishing rods and tackle or just lack experience, don’t worry. There are some excellent Bluefin Tuna fishing charters that have all the gear, experienced crew, and knowledge to put you right on top of a world-record Bluefin Tuna.

USA Bluefin Tuna Hot Spots

• San Diego, California – Starting on the West Coast, we have San Diego, affectionately known by local game fishing anglers as the ‘Tuna Capital of the World!’ It’s a prime location for a variety of gamefish, including big Bluefin Tuna. The water off the coast of San Diego, Southern California, and Northern Baja are teeming with large Bluefin Tuna.
• Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, the Gulf of Mexico – The Outer Banks have hosted enthusiastic Bluefin Tuna anglers for generations, with some popular outdoor and reality TV shows even based on fishing boats heading out here to win their fortunes and fight some of the world’s biggest Tuna. The action heats up in this area around late winter, continuing on to early spring, and offers anglers both offshore and inshore fishing opportunities.
• Cape Cod, USA – We mentioned Cape Cod above, but the Bluefin Tuna action is so hot here that it deserves an honorary mention in this category, too.

Best Time to Fish for Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin Tuna are a migratory species, moving around the world as the weather changes and to spawn during their annual spawning runs. As such, when the fishing isn’t great in one area, it could be much better in another. 

If you’re planning a Bluefin Tuna fishing trip, be sure to check local seasons and regulations to ensure that you’re arriving at the best time of the year. For anglers heading to popular Bluefin Tuna charter locations, be sure to book well in advance if you want any chance of finding a spot on a charter boat during the peak Bluefin Tuna. Spots on the best Bluefin Tuna charter boats will fill up well in advance during the peak season.

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Seasons and Locations

Starting in the Western Atlantic, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna begins feeding around the Northeast and Canada between June and November. 

Their next stop in their regular journey will take them past the Carolinas, where big fish can be caught through the cold winter months and into April.

From April through June, you’ll find the majority of the Bluefin enjoying the warmer water in the Gulf of Mexico during the spawning season before they make their way back up the coast and begin their long journey again.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Seasons and Locations

Anglers on the West Coast, SoCal through to Mexico, are a little bit more spoiled, with Pacific Bluefin Tuna hanging around the warmer waters almost year-round. However, there’s still a peak season you should consider if you’re planning a Tuna fishing adventure. You’ll want to time your arrival and fishing for the peak of the Pacific Bluefin season between the months of April and November.

Southern Bluefin Tuna Seasons and Locations

Starting in Tasmania, the southernmost point of Australia, Southern Bluefin Tuna are traditionally targeted from March to June but can be caught year-round. Moving North to Victoria, the peak SBT season runs from February to July. The peak season in South Australia is around November to December, but like many other Australian locations, Bluefin can be caught year-round. For New Zealand anglers, Southern Bluefin Tuna are mainly caught around the North Island, with the peak season running from June to August.

Is there a best time of day to catch Bluefin Tuna?

Bluefin Tuna are eating machines. They are big fish that swim fast and consume a lot of energy moving around the ocean, hunting, which means they’re constantly on the hunt for more food and feeding all day. Because of this, your chances of catching one are just as good almost all day long. That being said, overcast days or low-light days are better than bright sunny days, with the first hours of daylight particularly good, which means you’re in for an early morning start if you want to be out on the water ready to drop a line when it matters most.

How to Fish for Bluefin Tuna

For most anglers, their experience of fishing for Bluefin Tuna is going to be on a charter boat. Buying all the equipment, along with having a boat big enough to handle the large ocean swells, is expensive, so most anglers will choose to utilize the equipment, experience, and knowledge of a charter boat operator for their Bluefin fishing adventures.

Below, we’ll cover some of the most common fishing methods and techniques used to catch Bluefin:

• Trolling – Bluefin regularly cruises around at speeds of up to 40mph, so trolling lures are always going to be an effective way to hook a Tuna. Trolling speeds vary, but most experts recommend around 10 mph with baits or lures spread out up to 100 yards behind your boat. By utilizing large outriggers, you can help maintain a bigger spread of lures behind the boat and cover more surface area.
• Kite Fishing – Some Tuna anglers have perfected a new way of catching big fish, which involves not getting your line in the water at all. Widely used in San Diego, kite fishing involves suspending your main line in the air under a kite while the bait or lure simply skims along the surface. It’s particularly good for fish which are a little hesitant to approach close to the boat.
• Topwater Lure Fishing – In areas like the Outer Banks, using topwater lures such as poppers, plugs, and stick baits is extremely popular. Anglers typically cruise around looking for feeding schools of Tuna or boil and then allow the boat to drift closer to the edge of the school before casting lures into it.
• Jigging – When the Tuna are lurking deep underwater, topwater lures and trolling baits aren’t always effective at enticing them up to the top. If the Tuna doesn’t come up to you, you’ll need to go down to them, and that’s where jigging is very effective. A fish sounder is a key piece of equipment for jigging as it will allow you to locate fish deep below the surface and even pinpoint what depth they’re at. Drop your lure down to just below their estimated depth and then jig back up through the strike zone. Colored fishing line is a good indicator for estimating how deep you are.

The Best Bluefish Tuna Baits

When it comes to using baits to catch Bluefin Tuna, anglers have a lot of options. There are dozens of different baits to choose from, but most captains and skippers have their personal favorites and also their preferred way to rig them for the best chance of success. Bait choice will also depend a lot on where you’re fishing and what the Bluefin Tuna are feeding on. Match the hatch still applies, even when you’re targeting big Tuna.

The most popular Bluefin baits include Flying fish, Bonito, Smaller Tuna, Whiting, Squid, Sand Eels, Mullet, Sardines, Herring, Mackerel, and Half beaks.

For anglers that choose lures over baits, standard lures include spoons, feathers, skirted lures, and plugs, and for topwater enthusiasts, you have poppers, plugs, stick baits, and flies for the fly fishing lovers.

How Hard Is It to Catch a Bluefin Tuna?

Bluefin Tuna fishing will never be classed as ‘easy fishing’ by any stretch of the imagination. There is a physical, mental, and technical element to locating, hooking, fighting, and landing fish, especially fish such as Tuna, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. While the average weight is a lot less than that, it doesn’t mean that these fish are easy to catch, and when you hook up, it’ll feel like your rod and line are attached to an out-of-control freight train.

With long, deep, and powerful fast runs, be prepared for a long and physically demanding fight, which often involves being strapped into a game fighting chair for several hours.

The Longest Bluefin Tuna Fights

Most fights are going to see you strapped into the fighting chair for several hours, and the closer you get the Tuna to the boat, the harder it’s going to fight. Bluefin uses its strength, weight, and streamlined shape to its advantage, often pinwheeling or twisting beneath the boat once it gets close to the surface.

• Jeannine Francois landed a 974-pound Bluefin Tuna near the coast of Portugal after a recorded 8-hour flight using a light 80-pound tackle.
• Flat Dangerous spent over 5 hours fighting an 888-pound Bluefin Tuna before successfully landing it.
• On the TV show Wicked Tuna, a boat and crew spent almost 12 hours fighting a Bluefin Tuna, which weighed over 500 pounds.

Conservation and Regulations

Because of their wide-ranging habits and migratory patterns, managing Bluefin Tuna stocks is particularly challenging for fish and game agencies. It’s because of this that different Tuna species are listed or categorized in different ways, and some are more heavily monitored than others to prevent overfishing.

Below, we’ll look at each species separately, including their current conservation status:

• Atlantic Bluefin Tuna – The IUCN currently lists the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna as ‘Least Concern’ after previously categorizing them as endangered in 2021. Specific stocks, such as the Western Stock, are considerably more threatened, but the species overall is doing much better than previously reported.
• Southern Bluefin Tuna – Despite the SBT population beginning to show signs of improvement in recent years, the species is still considered as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN.
• Pacific Bluefin Tuna – the Pacific Bluefin Tuna was heavily overfished according to 2013 data but has seen strong rejuvenation. Despite a positive upward trend in fish numbers, they’re still listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the NOAA Fisheries organization.

As responsible anglers, it’s essential we all do our part to ensure that, where possible, we’re releasing unwanted fish in a safe way that gives them the best chance of survival. Tagging fish before release is also fantastic as it helps organizations and government bodies track and analyze fish data, including migration and breeding data.

Bluefin Tuna Fishing: Spots, Seasons, and Pro Tips | Conclusion

Now you’ll have a clear idea of the best spots to go Bluefin Tuna, the best season to try your luck in, and also some pro tips from experienced Bluefin Tuna anglers that could just turn an okay day on the water into a memory you’ll never forget.

Remember, if you’re planning a big Bluefin Tuna fishing trip, double-check with the fish, wildlife, and game department in your local area about the season, size, and bag limits before you go so that you know you have the latest information.

Thanks to the latest state-of-the-art technology in the Fishbox App, including the latest weather and tidal prediction software and algorithms, anglers chasing big Bluefin Tuna can accurately track weather conditions in their fishing area and predict the best times to go fishing. Fishbox App combines predictive fish behavior with weather, lunar, and tidal conditions to deliver optimal fishing opportunities, regardless of where or when you plan on going angling.

The Fishbox App was developed in collaboration with accurate weather data and expert fish behavioral analysis. These advanced forecasts will significantly increase your catch rate while cutting down on how much time you spend fishing. Spend more time catching fish and have a more enjoyable time on the water thanks to the expert advice from the Fishbox App team.

Are you an experienced Bluefin Tuna angler? Would you like to share some hot tips with new anglers just getting started? Drop a comment below! We love to read and share feedback.