The proximity of North Carolina to the Gulf Stream guarantees that Tuna fishing here will always be well represented in the local angling scene. From Manteo in the north, all the way down to Holden Beach, you’ll find plenty of deep sea fishing charters with options for Gulf Stream trips.

There’s definitely a reason for the enthusiasm, as Tuna are big, beautiful, and very defiant, meaning every victory is a hard-fought one. You won’t be bored on a Tuna trip, that’s for sure.

North Carolina Tuna Fishing Spots

While fishing for Tuna is done all along the North Carolina coastline, some places are intrinsically better than others. The biggest noticeable difference lies in the distance from the Gulf Stream. Places like Manteo and Hatteras to the northeast are some 30 miles off, while a trek from the Masonboro Inlet is more than twice as long at 65+ miles. That said, if you go on a proper Tuna expedition, don’t expect it to be a short one either way.

Hatteras

Hatteras is one of the big names when it comes to Tuna Fishing, and probably your best option in North Carolina. You have local fishing families that have been working the waters here for generation upon generation, as well as the famous boat brand that shares the town’s name. It’s the closest you can get to the Gulf Stream on land, which explains its popularity among anglers.

As with the rest of the Outer Banks, Bluefin Tuna season starts around October and can last up to half a year, weather permitting. Yellowfin Tuna is more abundant and can be caught pretty much any time of the year, peaking in the March-May period. You’ll need to go some 50 miles out for the best chance of bagging some Tuna, especially if you’re going after Bluefin, the local speciality.

Manteo

While not as popular as Hatteras, Manteo is still a world-class destination for anyone the least bit interested in Tuna fishing. Some 50 miles north of Hatteras, the local offshore charters target the northern reaches of the Gulf Stream in search for Tuna. 12-hour trips are the norm here, which can be an unforgettable experience if you manage to land a big one.

Tuna Fishing Techniques

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna are a bit simpler to deal with than the Bluefin, and their sheer abundance means you’ll be seeing them in a variety of sizes, anywhere from 15 to 100 pounds. They are known to travel in schools, so you have a bigger chance of catching them in greater numbers. The standard way of catching Yellowfin involves trolling for them using dead bait and lures such as cedar plugs and tuna feathers. Chunking is also a standard Tuna fishing practice both for Yellowfin and Bluefin simply because it’s wildly successful on most trips.

Bluefin Tuna

While the common way of Bluefin Tuna fishing involves heavy tackle, you will find experienced anglers using light tackle to great success as well. Jigging and popping for Bluefins is an extremely exciting experience, but one that’s best left to people with a bit of experience dealing with Tuna. A more conventional way of fishing involves trolling with approx. 80-130 lb tackle. The state record for Bluefin Tuna is 805 lbs, but you’re most likely to encounter those in the 150-600 lbs range.

If you’re the least bit interested in going after big Tuna, there’s hardly a better place for it on the East Coast than North Carolina. The catch is huge, the captains skilled, and all that’s missing is you!