Virginia · Hampton Roads
YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING
IN VIRGINIA BEACH
Virginia Beach is a solid destination for yellowfin tuna fishing, with peak season in August and good catches in June, July, September. Book a charter and target yellowfin tuna with local experts.
About Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Virginia Beach
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 — Virginia Beach
Month-by-month availability for yellowfin tuna in Virginia Beach, VA.
How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Virginia Beach
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 Virginia Beach
Top spots where local captains target yellowfin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Norfolk Canyon
Norfolk Canyon is a massive submarine canyon approximately 60 miles east of Virginia Beach where the continental shelf plunges from 300 feet to over 6,000 feet. The canyon's walls create powerful upwelling currents that concentrate baitfish and attract yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, blue marlin, and white marlin. It is the premier offshore destination for Virginia Beach charter boats targeting bluewater pelagics during summer and fall.
26-Mile Hill
The 26-Mile Hill is a prominent underwater ridge on the continental shelf roughly 26 miles southeast of Virginia Beach that rises from the surrounding bottom. The hill concentrates king mackerel, cobia, amberjack, and mahi-mahi along its contours where currents push bait upward into the water column. It serves as a productive way-station for boats heading to or returning from the deeper canyon grounds.
Cigar (Triangle Wrecks)
The Triangle Wrecks are a cluster of sunken vessels lying in 60 to 130 feet of water approximately 15 to 25 miles offshore of Virginia Beach on the continental shelf. These wrecks hold amberjack, black sea bass, tautog, and triggerfish on the bottom, while king mackerel and cobia cruise above. The wrecks serve as both a dedicated bottom-fishing destination and a trolling waypoint for boats working toward the shelf edge.
Washington Canyon
Washington Canyon lies northeast of Norfolk Canyon along the continental shelf break, accessible on extended offshore trips from Virginia Beach. The canyon targets yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, swordfish, and longfin albacore along its deep walls and temperature breaks. Overnight canyon trips out of Virginia Beach regularly produce mixed bags of tuna species during the peak summer and early fall season.
Other Species in Virginia Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Virginia Beach.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Virginia Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Yellowfin Tuna fishing in Virginia Beach are August. During these months, Yellowfin Tuna are most active and abundant in the Virginia Beach area.
Yellowfin Tuna fishing charters in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, your captain provides all required Virginia fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Yellowfin Tuna regulations in Virginia 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 Virginia Beach, you may also catch Striped Bass, Cobia, Fluke, Redfish, Black Drum. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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