North Carolina · Crystal Coast
YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING
IN MOREHEAD CITY
Morehead City is a solid destination for yellowfin tuna fishing, with peak season in June and good catches in May, July. Book a charter and target yellowfin tuna with local experts.
About Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Morehead 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 — Morehead City
Month-by-month availability for yellowfin tuna in Morehead City, NC.
How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Morehead 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 Morehead City
Top spots where local captains target yellowfin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
The Gulf Stream (Big Rock Country)
The Gulf Stream runs approximately 30 to 40 miles offshore of Morehead City, closer than almost any other mainland port on the U.S. East Coast. This proximity made Morehead City the birthplace of the legendary Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, one of the richest fishing tournaments in the world. Blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, and sailfish are targeted along the Stream's edges and temperature breaks.
The Swansboro Hole
The Swansboro Hole is a natural depression on the continental shelf southwest of Beaufort Inlet where the bottom drops deeper than the surrounding shelf. The depth change concentrates baitfish and attracts grouper, amberjack, king mackerel, and barracuda. It serves as a transitional fishing ground between nearshore reef fishing and deep Gulf Stream trolling.
Hoop Pole Creek Reef (AR-342)
AR-342 is an offshore artificial reef site approximately 15 to 20 miles off Morehead City, deployed with concrete and steel structure in 60 to 80 feet of water. The reef holds red snapper, grouper, amberjack, triggerfish, and large black sea bass. It is a reliable full-day bottom-fishing destination for charter boats working the Crystal Coast.
The 210 Rock
The 210 Rock is a well-known natural bottom ledge along the shelf edge approximately 25 miles offshore of Morehead City that concentrates gamefish at the depth transition. King mackerel, amberjack, grouper, and cobia hold on the structure during warmer months. Trolling the ledge edge and dropping baits to the bottom produces mixed bags of reef fish and pelagics.
Other Species in Morehead City
More fish you can target while visiting Morehead City.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Morehead City — FAQ
The peak months for Yellowfin Tuna fishing in Morehead City are June. During these months, Yellowfin Tuna are most active and abundant in the Morehead City area.
Yellowfin Tuna fishing charters in Morehead 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 Morehead City, your captain provides all required North Carolina fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Yellowfin Tuna regulations in North Carolina 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 Morehead City, you may also catch Flounder, Redfish, King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Blue Marlin. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Morehead City?
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