Maryland · Ocean Coast
YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING
IN OCEAN CITY
Ocean City is an excellent destination for yellowfin tuna fishing, with peak season in July, August, September and good catches in June, October. Book a charter and target yellowfin tuna with local experts.
About Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Ocean City
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 — Ocean City
Month-by-month availability for yellowfin tuna in Ocean City, MD.
How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Ocean City
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 Ocean City
Top spots where local captains target yellowfin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Baltimore Canyon
Baltimore Canyon is the closest major submarine canyon to Ocean City, lying approximately 60 miles offshore on the continental shelf break. The canyon is a premier destination for yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, blue marlin, and white marlin, and its proximity helped establish Ocean City as the White Marlin Capital of the World. Tournament fleets target the canyon's walls and edges during the White Marlin Open, one of the largest and richest billfish tournaments on the planet.
Washington Canyon
Washington Canyon lies south of Baltimore Canyon along the continental shelf break, accessible on full-day and overnight trips from Ocean City. The canyon targets yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, swordfish, and white marlin along its deep walls and temperature breaks. Many Ocean City charter captains fish both Baltimore and Washington canyons on the same trip, running between the two to find the best conditions and fish concentrations.
Poor Man's Canyon
Poor Man's Canyon earned its name by being slightly closer to Ocean City than the deeper canyons, making it accessible to smaller boats with lower fuel costs. The canyon's shelf edge targets yellowfin tuna, white marlin, mahi-mahi, and wahoo along color and temperature changes during the summer offshore season. It is often the first canyon that private-boat anglers from Ocean City learn to fish on their way to the deeper grounds.
Hambone (Hotdog)
The Hambone and Hotdog are well-known bottom lumps on the continental shelf between Ocean City and the deeper canyons, where the seafloor rises to concentrate gamefish and baitfish. Yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and white marlin feed over the structure during summer, making these lumps essential waypoints on any offshore trip. Charter captains often troll between the lumps and the canyons, picking up fish along the entire route.
Other Species in Ocean City
More fish you can target while visiting Ocean City.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Ocean City — FAQ
The peak months for Yellowfin Tuna fishing in Ocean City are July, August, September. During these months, Yellowfin Tuna are most active and abundant in the Ocean City area.
Yellowfin Tuna fishing charters in Ocean City 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 Ocean City, your captain provides all required Maryland fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Yellowfin Tuna regulations in Maryland 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 Ocean City, you may also catch White Marlin, Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Striped Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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