How to Go Fishing for Yellowfin Tuna: The Complete Guide

Feb 3, 2025 | 10 minute read
Reading Time: 10 minutes

They say that hooking a Tuna is like latching onto a freight train. Like all Tuna, Yellowfin are designed for speed and stamina. Their brute strength makes them one of the hardest fighters in the sea. They’ll dive when hooked or pinwheel around the vessel, bringing you along for a ride. Not to mention their reputation for the most delicious sushi! So, on second thought, make that a bullet train… And now you have Yellowfin Tuna fishing.

How to Identify Yellowfin Tuna

Three young men sitting on the side of a fishing boat in Hawaii at sunset and struggling to hold up a Yellowfin Tuna each by their tails
Photo courtesy of Aloha Kauai Sportfishing

Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) inhabit warm ocean waters where the temperature ranges from 59–88 degrees. This includes large swathes of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. The largest Yellowfin are usually caught off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

In the US, Yellowfin are common along much of the East Coast and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. You can also catch them off the coast of Southern California, around Hawaii, and near the US Pacific Islands.

Yellowfin Tuna are highly migratory and capable of crossing entire ocean basins. As a result, they appear in different parts of the world at different times and are a seasonal catch in most places. 

The average Yellowfin Tuna weighs around 20 pounds, but they can grow much bigger. Record-breaking fish weigh over 400 pounds and measure 6 feet long. These colossal proportions are backed by muscular strength and the ability to burst into high speed (30–50 miles per hour). Aside from being one of the largest Tuna in the world, Yellowfin are recognizable by their long, yellow fins extending from their backs and bellies.

Yellowfin vs. Bluefin and Blackfin Tuna

A man in a red sweater and a baseball cap, smiling as he looks down towards the camera and holding a Bluefin Tuna after a successful fishing trip
Photo courtesy of Seay Stories Sportfishing

There are many types of Tuna out there and, to the untrained eye, they can look the same. In the western Atlantic, there are two species you might catch and confuse with Yellowfin: Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus – pictured above) and Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus). 

Here’s how to tell the difference:

  • Size. Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna can both weigh hundreds of pounds. By comparison, Blackfin run quite small (20 inches on average) and so you’re only likely to confuse them with juvenile Yellowfin.
  • Anal and dorsal fins. All Tuna have a second dorsal fin parallel to their anal fin. On a Yellowfin Tuna, these two fins grow much longer than those on any other Tuna. And, they’re usually yellow in color. The same fins on a Bluefin and Blackfin Tuna are short and gray.
  • Pectoral fins. On a Yellowfin Tuna, these fins grow long enough to reach the second dorsal fin. They’re also pale in color. Meanwhile, Bluefin and Blackfin Tuna have short, dark side fins.
  • Finlets. The tiny finlets on a Tuna look like spikes running down their tails. On a Yellowfin, these are always yellow. They may appear slightly yellow on other Tuna as well, but often look faded or gray. 
  • Tail color. The tail on a Yellowfin Tuna will often appear slightly yellow, whereas Bluefin and Blackfin tails are dark.
  • Belly markings. On a Yellowfin, you’ll sometimes see spots and lines that run vertically up their belly. Bluefin Tuna have pale, elongated spots on their undersides as well, only these form a horizontal pattern near their tails. Blackfin Tuna have no belly markings.
  • General coloration. Yellowfin Tuna often have a band of yellow separating the dark hue of their backs from their bellies. Blackfin also have this yellow coloration, which is the main reason you might mistake them for small Yellowfin. Once you take the other features into account, however, you should be able to tell them apart.

You can read more about the difference between Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna here.

Yellowfin vs. Bigeye Tuna

A man in a blue baseball hat and sunglasses standing on a fishing charter in the Mediterranean and holding a Bigeye Tuna on a clear day with a mountain visible in the distance across the waters
Photo courtesy of Sea Passion Charters

Another species that overlaps with Yellowfin in both the Atlantic and Pacific is Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus – pictured above). In fact, in Hawaii, the name Ahi refers to both species.

Bear in mind that Bigeye Tuna don’t have any yellow coloration on their bodies, and they never have pale markings on their bellies like you might see on a Yellowfin. They may, however, have yellow finlets. In this case, there’s a subtle distinction to look for… The yellow finlets on a Bigeye Tuna have black edges, while those on a Yellowfin Tuna do not.

Best Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Spots 

With Yellowfin swimming the world over, you can bet there are plenty of places to catch them. Anglers in the US are spoiled to have some of the planet’s premier destinations on their doorstep:

Catalina Island, CA

A photo of the Catalina Island area, its bay dotted with the charter fishing boats, sandy beach, and buildings surrounded by the hills, mountains, and greenery taken on a bright day

They say Catalina Island is the birthplace of modern deep sea fishing, and it all began with the first Tuna ever landed on rod and reel. Technically, it was a Bluefin Tuna, but the waters around here are teeming with Yellowfin too. In fact, Yellowfin has become one of the most sought-after species in the area. 

Yellowfin around Catalina average 8–50 pounds. While you won’t be breaking any records with fish that size, they taste just as good. Yellowfin season picks up in late summer and runs through fall. And the regulations are generous, too! California allows anglers to keep up to 10 Yellowfin Tuna per day.

San Diego, CA

An aerial photo of San Diego's shores, with waves crashing against the city's rocky cliffs.

With a title like “Tuna Capital of the World,” you better believe San Diego makes the list! The secret to such superb Tuna fishing doesn’t lie in the waters of San Diego, however. For a real trophy, you’ll head south to Mexico’s Coronado Islands. These waters are premier deep sea fishing territory, and long-range charter boats based in San Diego take advantage of just that. 

The Yellowfin in this area average 25–45 pounds, but can reach over 100 on occasion. Yellowfin Tuna season for charter boats in San Diego runs from May through September, with July marking the peak of the action.

Kailua-Kona, HI

An aerial view of Kailua Kona in Hawaii surrounded by greenery, with blue water surrounding it

California may claim some of the most prestigious titles when it comes to Tuna fishing but, really, it’s got nothing on Hawaii. More specifically, Kailua-Kona on the western side of the Big Island. The waters here hold Yellowfin (aka Ahi) year-round, with a wave of large fish passing through between June and September. 

On a good streak, local charter boats hook as many as 10 in a day. That may not sound like a lot, but it’s more than enough when you consider the size of these Yellowfin. In Kona, summertime Ahi average 100–250 pounds! With these fish in such abundance, there’s no bag limit for Yellowfin Tuna in Hawaii (just a minimum size limit of 3 pounds).

Venice, LA

An aerial view of the marina and shoreline buildings in Venice, Louisiana

While Kona has some of the largest Yellowfin on the planet, there’s no fishing ground more reliable than Venice, Louisiana. After all, that’s why they call it “Tuna Town!” 

Here, you can catch Yellowfin all year. Summer is considered peak season throughout much of the Gulf, but Venice has a special trick up its sleeve: The Midnight Lump. As fall turns to winter, Yellowfin and other big game fish flock to this underwater mountain 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Most of the state’s trophy-sized Tuna are caught here, with plenty well over 100 pounds. The best time to fish “The Lump” is between December and March.

Louisiana allows anglers to keep three Yellowfin per person per day with a minimum size limit of 27 inches fork length.

Outer Banks, NC

An aerial photo of the Outer Banks near Nags Head in North Carolina with afishing pier visible in the foreground and the sounds visible in the distance on a clear day

If you’re looking to catch Yellowfin on the East Coast, set your sights on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This “Billfish Capital of the World” is one of the best places to catch Tuna, bar none. 

The season runs from October to June, which is the perfect opportunity to keep hooking into these fish long after they’ve left other areas. By May, local Yellowfin reach 45–60 pounds. While these don’t rival the Yellowfin down in Hawaii, you’re likely to catch them in large numbers. Anglers in North Carolina can keep three Yellowfin per day, with a minimum curved fork length of 27 inches.

How to Fish for Yellowfin Tuna

A happy man kneeling on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean and showing off his catch of Yellowfin Tuna on a sunny day
Photo courtesy of Crunch Time Sport Fishing

Yellowfin Tuna swim in large schools and often group together with similar fish. Sometimes, you’ll even find them swimming alongside other marine animals like porpoises. As a pelagic species, they feed near the surface and this is where you should target them. 

Once hooked, they dive down or turn sideways and make circles around the boat, making them a challenge to rein in. Prepare for a lengthy fight, because Yellowfin are known for their stamina in addition to packing plenty of muscle.

You’ll often see schools of Tuna breaking the surface as they feed. If you know they’re in the area but they haven’t breached the surface yet, you can lure them there by chumming with live bait or chunking cut bait. Once these fish are within reach, you can catch them using a variety of techniques. 

Three men sitting on the deck of a fishing boat and posing with a large Yellowfin Tuna across their laps
Photo courtesy of Captain Cook Charters

Trolling is the easiest method, using either baits or lures. You can also cast lures to them once you’ve spotted a school at the surface. Poppers are great for this, retrieved with a “pop-pop-pause” cadence. Jigging is also popular and allows you to target Yellowfin slightly deeper.

Yet another method to catch Yellowfin Tuna is kite fishing. This is especially good for targeting large fish. The kite will keep your bait splashing at the surface, which draws attention. Plus, your line will be suspended above the water, so you don’t have to worry about spooking these fish (which have excellent eyesight).

For an extra challenge, some anglers target Yellowfin on fly gear. You’ll have to ditch your average setup in this case and invest in some big flies on top of a heavy, 12–16 wt rod.

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Gear & Bait

Even Yellowfin on the smaller side pack a punch, so always have some sturdy gear to hand when targeting these fish. Using light tackle can be lots of fun when you’re casting to small schoolies but, if you’re after trophy-sized fish, opt for heavier stuff. Your chosen technique will also determine exactly what length and type of rod to use. Generally speaking, you can follow these pointers: 

Rods and Reels

A view out the back of a deep sea fishing charter in the Bahamas with trolling rods set up with lines in the water on a clear day
Photo courtesy of Chase N Dreams Bimini

For casting, we recommend a medium-to-heavy spinning rod. When fishing aboard smaller craft like a center console, a 5–6′ rod is adequate. On sportfishers like those in long-range fleets, a 7–8′ rod will allow you to cast farther and clear the corners of the boat once you hook a circling fish.

When it comes to your reel, on one hand, you want one that can hold plenty of line (at least 300 yards). At the same time, if your chosen technique involves sight casting, doing so with a heavy reel will get tiresome. For average-sized fish under 200 pounds, a 14000-class reel marks the sweet spot. These can hold as much as 450 yards of 50 lb braided line.

Fishing Line and Terminal Tackle

If you’re interested in light tackle fishing for Yellowfin, you can go as light as 10–15 lb test line. Be prepared for a challenge, though, so we suggest you go bigger. Really big Tuna call for 100 lb test! However, unless you’re specifically after trophy-sized fish, a good range is 50–80 lb test line.

And, as we’ve already said, Tuna have excellent eyesight, so one of the biggest challenges is to make your line invisible. At the same time, they have sharp teeth, so your leader needs to be resilient. Anglers usually recommend 50–100 lb fluorocarbon to address both needs. The finishing touch is a circle hook suited to the size of your bait fish, which will depend on the size of the Tuna you’re targeting.

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Bait and Lures

Five wobbler fishing lures hanging from a washing line with some green trees out of focus in the background

At the end of your tackle, you’ll need to choose what exactly will entice the fish. Now, Tuna are one of the few fish that anglers prefer to target on artificials. You’ll find many that are specially designed for these fish and all the techniques used to catch them. Common Yellowfin lures include plugs, poppers, stickbaits, feathers, and trolling lures. Metal jigs in blue and metallic colors work well when targeting these fish lower in the water column. 

That being said, Tuna will bite any bait fish that are already swimming in the area. The key is to match the size of your bait to the size of your target Yellowfin. Smaller specimens take sardines and anchovies, while bigger Tuna like sinking their teeth into mackerel. The biggest Yellowfin, however, will even eat smaller Tuna species like Skipjack. Squid is another safe bet anytime you don’t have the right bait fish on hand.

When to Fish for Yellowfin Tuna

An infographic featuring a vector of a Yellowfin Tuna fish above text saying "Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Seasons, What You Need to Know" above a vector of a boat and the FishingBooker logo against a blue background

Choosing when to go after Yellowfin Tuna really depends on the area you’re fishing in. These fish are always chasing warm waters, so the best time to target them is typically during summer and early fall. However, in some places like the Outer Banks, winter and spring are most productive. Regions like the Hawaiian islands and the Gulf of Mexico are lucky enough to host Yellowfin all year long. Check for your chosen destination and head out when the fish are most active.

Yellowfin Tuna: A Ton of Fun (Almost Literally!)

A photo of an angler wearing a cap while standing on a deep sea fishing charter and holding a decent Yellowfin Tuna catch
Photo courtesy of Pelican Sportfishing

While Yellowfin Tuna can reach hundreds of pounds, the size of these fish is only part of their appeal. They’re great sport fish with excellent food value and you’ll tire yourself out by catching just a few at a time. Whether you’re trolling for table fare or looking to challenge yourself on light tackle, these Tuna will turn you into a Yellowfinatic!

If you want to learn more about Tuna species and how to pursue them, visit our Tuna Fishing guide.

Have you ever been fishing for Yellowfin Tuna? How did you get on? Any stories or questions to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Jacqueline grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, always with an eye on the horizon to try and spot a shark fin. As a member of the FishingBooker team, she got to know the charter fishing industry by helping hundreds of captains market their trips online. She has also spent countless hours answering the internet’s most pressing questions about fish, such as: how do you tell all the different Salmon species apart? With 7 years of content marketing experience behind her, she eventually returned to her roots to focus on raising a family (and write about fish some more).

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