New York · Long Island
BLUEFIN TUNA FISHING
IN FREEPORT NY
Freeport NY is a solid destination for bluefin tuna fishing. Book a charter and target bluefin tuna with local experts.
About Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Freeport NY
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is the ultimate big game fish of the northeast, with giants exceeding 1,000 pounds caught off New England each year. Stellwagen Bank and the canyons off Montauk are legendary grounds for these incredible fighters.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are the largest, most powerful, and most valuable tuna species in the world. These magnificent fish can exceed 1,000 lbs and are the ultimate test of angler and tackle. Their torpedo-shaped body is dark blue-black on top with silver-gray sides and a series of yellow finlets along the tail. Bluefin are warm-blooded — they maintain a body temperature well above the surrounding water, which gives them extraordinary power and stamina. Giant bluefin tuna can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars at fish markets, making them one of the most economically important fish in the ocean.
Scientific name: Thunnus thynnus
Bluefin Tuna Seasonal Calendar — Freeport NY
Month-by-month availability for bluefin tuna in Freeport NY, NY.
How to Catch Bluefin Tuna in Freeport NY
Techniques & Bait
Chunking (chumming with cut herring, mackerel, or butterfish while drifting) with baited hooks at various depths is the standard technique for school-size bluefin. Live bait fishing with mackerel, herring, or whiting produces trophy-size fish. Trolling with spreader bars, umbrella rigs, and large skirted lures covers water when fish are scattered. "Green stick" fishing (a specialized rig that dangles squid-shaped lures from a tall pole) is popular on the commercial and recreational fleet. Fly fishing for bluefin on 14-16 weight rods is the ultimate challenge.
Recommended Tackle
School bluefin (under 73 inches): medium-heavy spinning or 30-50 lb conventional. Giants (over 73 inches): 80-130 lb stand-up or chair gear, Shimano Tiagra or Penn International reels, 130 lb mono or braid, wind-on leaders to 300+ lb. Fights with giants can last 2-6+ hours.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Freeport NY
Top spots where local captains target bluefin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Freeport Offshore Wreck Field
The waters 15 to 35 miles offshore of Freeport contain a dense concentration of shipwrecks in 80 to 140 feet of water that form the backbone of Long Island's South Shore offshore fishery. Sea bass, tautog, ling, cod, and pollock hold on these wrecks in enormous numbers during their respective seasons. The Freeport party boat and charter fleet runs daily trips to the wreck grounds, making the Nautical Mile one of the busiest fishing ports in the New York Bight.
Offshore Shark and Tuna Grounds
The offshore waters 30 to 60 miles south of Freeport support productive shark and tuna fisheries during summer months, with mako shark, thresher shark, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi patrolling the continental shelf. Charter boats from Freeport drift-fish for sharks using chum slicks along the shelf edge, while tuna anglers troll and chunk along temperature breaks. The area provides some of the most accessible big-game fishing available from a New York City-area port.
Hudson Canyon (Freeport Access)
Hudson Canyon is accessible from Freeport on overnight trips of approximately 65 to 80 miles, offering world-class pelagic fishing at the mid-Atlantic's deepest submarine canyon. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, and longfin albacore concentrate along the canyon's walls and temperature breaks during summer. The Freeport fleet's proximity to the canyon's western approaches provides a shorter run than many competing ports.
Seventeen Fathom Bank
Seventeen Fathom Bank is a natural shoal area approximately 15 to 20 miles south of Jones Inlet where the seafloor rises to concentrate baitfish and gamefish on the open shelf. Fluke, sea bass, and ling hold on the bank's harder bottom during their respective seasons, while bluefish and bonito chase bait over the shallower water during summer. The bank serves as a productive transitional fishing ground between nearshore and deep-water offshore trips from Freeport.
Other Species in Freeport NY
More fish you can target while visiting Freeport NY.
Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Freeport NY — FAQ
Bluefin Tuna fishing in Freeport NY is productive during .
Bluefin Tuna fishing charters in Freeport NY 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 (chumming with cut herring, mackerel, or butterfish while drifting) with baited hooks at various depths is the standard technique for school-size bluefin. Live bait fishing with mackerel, herring, or whiting produces trophy-size fish. Trolling with spreader bars, umbrella rigs, and large skirted lures covers water when fish are scattered. "Green stick" fishing (a specialized rig that dangles squid-shaped lures from a tall pole) is popular on the commercial and recreational fleet. Fly fishing for bluefin on 14-16 weight rods is the ultimate challenge.
No — when you book a charter in Freeport NY, your captain provides all required New York fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Bluefin Tuna regulations in New York include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Bluefin Tuna in Freeport NY, you may also catch Striped Bass, Fluke, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Tautog. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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