Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING
IN ST. JOHN'S
St. John's is an outstanding destination for yellowfin tuna fishing, with peak season in January, February, March and good catches in July, August, September. Book a charter and target yellowfin tuna with local experts.
About Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in St. John's
A powerful open-water predator prized for sashimi-grade flesh. Found in blue water near rips and structure.
Yellowfin Tuna are among the most powerful and prized offshore gamefish in the world. Their torpedo-shaped body is designed for sustained high-speed swimming, with a dark metallic blue back, silver-gold sides, and bright yellow finlets and fins that give them their name. Mature yellowfin develop extraordinarily long second dorsal and anal fins that sweep back like sickles. These warm-blooded fish (one of few fish that can maintain elevated body temperature) are found in deep blue water near oil rigs, floating debris, and temperature breaks. Their sashimi-grade flesh is among the finest seafood in the world.
Scientific name: Thunnus albacares
Yellowfin Tuna Seasonal Calendar — St. John's
Month-by-month availability for yellowfin tuna in St. John's, AG.
How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in St. John's
Techniques & Bait
Chunking (cutting fresh baitfish into chunks and creating a chum slick) with yellowfin tuna hooks baited with fresh chunk bait is deadly when fish are located near structure or rigs. Live bait (hardtails, blue runners, goggle-eyes) drifted on the surface or at depth with a balloon or kite produces the largest fish. Trolling with cedar plugs, skirted ballyhoo, and spreader bars at 6-8 knots covers water when fish are scattered. Jigging with heavy butterfly jigs under the boat when fish are marked on the sounder is increasingly popular.
Recommended Tackle
Heavy conventional rod, 50-80 lb class reel, 65-100 lb braid, 80-130 lb fluorocarbon leader (at least 15 feet), 7/0-9/0 circle hooks. For chunking: medium-heavy spinning with 40-65 lb braid. Stand-up gear for fish over 100 lbs.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in St. John's
Top spots where local captains target yellowfin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Antigua Bank Edge
The Antigua Bank's outer edge drops into deep Caribbean and Atlantic water, concentrating blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna along the shelf break. The bank extends for miles around Antigua and provides extensive offshore trolling grounds for charter boats.
North Atlantic Drop-Off
The shelf edge north of Antigua drops into deep Atlantic water where blue marlin, white marlin, and large wahoo patrol current seams and temperature breaks. The North Drop is the primary bluewater trolling ground for Antigua's sport-fishing fleet.
Caribbean FADs
Fish Aggregating Devices deployed in deep water around Antigua attract mahi-mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna to floating structure. The FADs are managed by Antigua's fisheries department and provide reliable offshore action for charter and private boats.
Barbuda Channel
The deep channel between Antigua and Barbuda funnels Atlantic currents through a productive zone where wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and blue marlin concentrate along current edges and temperature breaks. The channel is a key offshore fishing ground for Antigua-based boats.
Other Species in St. John's
More fish you can target while visiting St. John's.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in St. John's — FAQ
The peak months for Yellowfin Tuna fishing in St. John's are January, February, March, April, May, June. During these months, Yellowfin Tuna are most active and abundant in the St. John's area.
Yellowfin Tuna fishing charters in St. John's are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Chunking (cutting fresh baitfish into chunks and creating a chum slick) with yellowfin tuna hooks baited with fresh chunk bait is deadly when fish are located near structure or rigs. Live bait (hardtails, blue runners, goggle-eyes) drifted on the surface or at depth with a balloon or kite produces the largest fish. Trolling with cedar plugs, skirted ballyhoo, and spreader bars at 6-8 knots covers water when fish are scattered. Jigging with heavy butterfly jigs under the boat when fish are marked on the sounder is increasingly popular.
No — when you book a charter in St. John's, your captain provides all required Antigua & Barbuda fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Yellowfin Tuna regulations in Antigua & Barbuda include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Yellowfin Tuna in St. John's, you may also catch Bonefish, Permit, Mangrove Snapper, Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in St. John's?
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