Tuna Fishing Florida | All You Need to Know About Tuna Fishing in Florida

So, you’ve got your fishing gear, and the little bucket hat, and you want to head out and catch some tuna from Floridian waters! If you look around, you’ll find anglers heading out all over the coast and even to lakes, such as Lake Okeechobee or Istokpoga, to fish. This can leave you wondering: What are the best spots for tuna fishing in Florida? Well, we’ll share with you all the hidden best locations to get the tastiest tuna!

The Best Time to Go Tuna Fishing in Florida

Florida’s rich coastal waters offer fantastic opportunities for tuna fishing, with various species available throughout the year.

Nonetheless, to maximize your chances of a successful catch, it’s best to time your fishing trip within these two seasons:

Spring Season (Starting April)

The spring season is one of the best times to go tuna fishing as there’s an increase in their activity compared to the cooler months. 

Though this might not be true for all species, for some blackfin tuna and yellowfin tuna, spring is a great time!

Fall/Winter Season (Around November)

Another season to go fishing in is the fall/winter one. Unlike animals, fish don’t hibernate and swim around the ocean during the cold season.

This means you can fish for tuna without any trouble. The only thing to note is that fish are usually less active during winter, so stay patient with your fishing!

Year-Round Opportunities

While there are peak seasons to go tuna fishing, it’s important to mention that tuna can be caught almost year-round in Florida waters. 

Their migratory nature and the diverse marine ecosystem of Florida ensure that there’s always some action happening around!

So, if you’re reading this and it’s neither of the aforementioned two seasons, don’t despair. 

Pack your bags and head to the nearest coast. When you get there, search for tuna throughout the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, as these are their peak biting times. At night, you mostly catch Bigeye and Yellowfin tuna.

Best Places To Fish Tuna in Florida

There are various spots in Florida where you can enjoy fishing tuna, such as the following ones:

Destin

One of the best things about fishing for Tuna in Destin is that you can find various types there. From Yellowfin tuna and Blackfin tuna to Bluefin tuna and Skipjack tuna, the waters are full of them! 

Important note: most of the fishes stay in the deeper part of the water column, like Yellowfin tuna and Bluefin tuna. Blackfin tuna, on the other hand, can be found closer to the shoreline.

The Florida Keys

If you’re hoping to catch a Blackfin tuna during your trip, the Florida Keys should be your go-to spot. The area is ripe with blackfin tuna, making fishing for them rather easy. 

You can also find some Yellowfin tuna there. The best season to head there is December, and the low seasons are May to September. 

Miami

Another spot to fish for the Blackfin tuna is Miami. While you can still find Yellowfin tuna hanging around these waters, they’re not as plentiful as the Blackfin tuna. 

One thing you should know about fishing in Miami is that they like to fish tuna using kites! 

Florida Tuna Fishing Regulations: Quick Overview

While some of you may consider fishing a regular hobby or activity that doesn’t need a permit in most cases, this isn’t entirely true. Take this tuna fishing escapade, for example!

Tuna fishing in Florida, or fishing in general, is a famous and beloved activity as it’s a coastal city with many beautiful beaches.

Of course, this means that because of its popularity, many spices are at risk of overfishing and depletion. 

There are around 63 tuna species listed as endangered under the IUCN, with other species losing numbers, too. 

For instance, the Southern Bluefin is at risk of extinction, while other tuna, like the Atlantic and Pacific Bluefin, are endangered and vulnerable, respectively.

What does this mean for you?

To start, there’s a bag limit of two fish or 100 pounds, as long as you’re not catching anything protected or listed under the Highly Migratory Species (HMS).

What if you’re planning on catching something under the HMS list, like the Yellowfin Tuna? In that case, you’ll need a federal HMS angling permit. This permit works in federal and state waters. 

Important note: When in federal waters, this permit covers everyone on the ship. This means you and your friends and family can enjoy fishing without issues. However, if you’re in state waters, the permit only applies to the fisherman himself and no one else.  

Also, you must report to the NOAA if you catch anything under the HMS list, even if you plan on releasing it. 

Other than tuna, there are different fishes that, when you catch one of them, you’’ have to report back to the NOAA, including:

• Billfish 
• Swordfish

For an easy reporting process, head to their website.

Summary

So, are you still wondering where to go tuna fishing in Florida? Well, get your fishing gear ready and head to Destin, The Florida Keys, or Miami for some of the best waters to fish for tuna. 

You should also go around spring, fall, or winter, as there are more fish around that time. 

However, don’t forget about the regulations, such as not exceeding the 100-pound limit and contacting NOAA once you catch something on the HMS list.  Happy fishing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know almost everything about where to go tuna fishing in Florida, let’s dive into some important questions that other anglers wondered about.

How and where to catch Blackfin Tuna?

When Blackfin Tuna fishing, anglers should focus on three main techniques:

• Live chumming: attract tuna by tossing live baitfish. A few top choices for live baits are pilchards, squid, mullet, or blue runners.
• Vertical Jigging: use a weighted lure and move it with rapid upward movement.
• Trolling: Drag lures or rigged live bait behind your moving boat to cover more area.

As to where you can find them, Miami and the Florida Keys are some of the best spots to catch Blackfins. Other places include Destin, Fort Lauderdale, and Naples.

How and where to catch Bonito in Florida?

One of the best ways to lure Bonito is by using some flashy bait with silver gleaming to attract them. 

The No-Alibi feather trolls make for an excellent lure, especially with bright colors such as gold and silver.

You can usually find Bonitos around  Destin, Sebastian Inlet, Panama City Beach, West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, and The Florida Keys.

How and where to catch Yellowfin Tuna?

Catching Yellowfin tuna isn’t that challenging once you know where to look. They usually swim around the entirety of the Florida panhandle. 

This means you can find it swimming on the coasts of Destin, Panama City, Gulf Breeze, and Mexico Beach. To attract it, you can simply use chum with live or cut bait.