New York · Long Island
YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING
IN FREEPORT NY
Freeport NY is a solid destination for yellowfin tuna fishing. Book a charter and target yellowfin tuna with local experts.
About Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Freeport NY
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 — Freeport NY
Month-by-month availability for yellowfin tuna in Freeport NY, NY.
How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Freeport NY
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 Freeport NY
Top spots where local captains target yellowfin 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.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Freeport NY — FAQ
Yellowfin Tuna fishing in Freeport NY is productive during .
Yellowfin 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 (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 Freeport NY, your captain provides all required New York fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Yellowfin 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 Yellowfin Tuna in Freeport NY, you may also catch Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Sea Bass, Tautog. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Freeport NY?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your yellowfin tuna fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes