New Jersey · Jersey Shore
YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING
IN LONG BEACH ISLAND
Long Beach Island is a solid destination for yellowfin tuna fishing. Book a charter and target yellowfin tuna with local experts.
About Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Long Beach Island
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 — Long Beach Island
Month-by-month availability for yellowfin tuna in Long Beach Island, NJ.
How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Long Beach Island
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 Long Beach Island
Top spots where local captains target yellowfin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Barnegat Ridge
Barnegat Ridge is a natural bottom feature approximately 15 to 25 miles offshore of Long Beach Island where the seafloor rises to create a ridge that concentrates gamefish. Sea bass, ling, cod, and pollock hold on the ridge during cooler months, while mahi-mahi and bonito cruise above during summer warm-water events. The ridge is a key transitional fishing ground between nearshore reef fishing and deep-water canyon trips.
LBI Offshore Wrecks
The waters 20 to 40 miles offshore of Long Beach Island contain numerous shipwrecks in 80 to 150 feet of water that create rich artificial reef ecosystems on the continental shelf. These wrecks hold enormous concentrations of sea bass, tautog, ling, pollock, and cod during their respective seasons. Party boats and charter boats running from LBI ports target these wrecks year-round for reliable bottom-fishing action.
Hudson Canyon (LBI Access)
Hudson Canyon is accessible from Long Beach Island on extended offshore trips of approximately 80 to 100 miles, offering world-class pelagic fishing at the mid-Atlantic's most famous submarine canyon. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, and mahi-mahi concentrate along the canyon's walls and temperature breaks during summer and early fall. Overnight canyon trips from LBI are the pinnacle of the region's offshore fishing season.
Tuna Grounds (Offshore Lumps)
The offshore lumps and bottom features along the continental shelf edge 50 to 70 miles from Long Beach Island create natural fish-concentrating structure in open water. Yellowfin tuna, longfin albacore, and mahi-mahi gather over these rises when warm Gulf Stream eddies push onto the shelf during summer months. Charter captains out of LBI use these lumps as waypoints when running to and from the deeper canyon grounds.
Other Species in Long Beach Island
More fish you can target while visiting Long Beach Island.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Long Beach Island — FAQ
Yellowfin Tuna fishing in Long Beach Island is productive during .
Yellowfin Tuna fishing charters in Long Beach Island 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 Long Beach Island, 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 Long Beach Island, you may also catch Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Sea Bass, Tautog. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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