New Jersey · Jersey Shore
YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING
IN ATLANTIC CITY
Atlantic City is a solid destination for yellowfin tuna fishing, with good fishing in July, August. Book a charter and target yellowfin tuna with local experts.
About Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Atlantic 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 — Atlantic City
Month-by-month availability for yellowfin tuna in Atlantic City, NJ.
How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Atlantic 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 Atlantic City
Top spots where local captains target yellowfin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Atlantic City Offshore Wrecks
The waters 15 to 30 miles offshore of Atlantic City contain dozens of shipwrecks in 80 to 130 feet of water that hold tremendous concentrations of sea bass, tautog, ling, and pollack. These wrecks include historic vessels from both World Wars and modern vessels sunk as artificial reefs, creating a reef ecosystem in otherwise featureless sand bottom. Wreck-fishing trips out of Atlantic City produce heavy bags of bottom fish from spring through fall.
Mudhole (Hudson Canyon Approach)
The Mudhole is a large area of soft bottom along the continental shelf approximately 20 miles offshore of Atlantic City where ling, whiting, and sea bass concentrate in enormous numbers during winter. The area serves as a staging ground for boats heading farther offshore to the Hudson Canyon and other deep-water destinations. Winter ling and cod fishing at the Mudhole is a tradition for Atlantic City party boats and charter boats.
Wilmington Canyon (AC Access)
Wilmington Canyon is accessible from Atlantic City on extended offshore trips of approximately 80 miles, offering world-class pelagic fishing along the canyon's deep walls and edges. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, and mahi-mahi patrol the temperature breaks where warm Gulf Stream eddies meet cooler shelf water. The canyon's productive fishing grounds make the long run worthwhile for serious offshore anglers.
Chicken Canyon
Chicken Canyon lies along the continental shelf edge approximately 60 miles from Atlantic City, a smaller submarine canyon that concentrates yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo along its walls and edges. The canyon earned its name because it is close enough for boats to reach without the commitment of a full overnight trip to the deeper canyons. Warm-water intrusions from the Gulf Stream push pelagic species into the canyon during summer and early fall.
Other Species in Atlantic City
More fish you can target while visiting Atlantic City.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Atlantic City — FAQ
Yellowfin Tuna fishing in Atlantic City is productive during July, August.
Yellowfin Tuna fishing charters in Atlantic 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 Atlantic City, your captain provides all required New Jersey fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Yellowfin Tuna regulations in New Jersey 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 Atlantic City, you may also catch Striped Bass, Fluke, Tautog, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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