Where to Catch Tuna in Florida

The Best places to fish for Tuna in Florida

Tuna is by far one of the largest of the saltwater fishes which are in Florida’s waters. As such, anglers have sought these big catches. Yet, if you are not familiar with Tuna fishing or if you have fished in other waters, finding the ideal spot to make your catch may be a bit elusive. And while there is not an X marks the spot location to fish, there are a few areas which are more populated. If you are seeking to meet your daily bag limit, here is what you should know.

Know the Type of tuna

While we like to put Tuna into a single category, it is simply not the truth about the fish. There are several different species of tuna and each has their own quirks about where they like to reside. The tuna fish in Florida are little tunny , skipjack tuna (sometimes referred to as bonito), Blackfin, and Yellowfin tuna. The tuna, which is all but invisible in the Florida waters are the albacore, the bigeye tuna, and the giant bluefin tuna.

Where to fish for your tuna

Little Tunny and most of the other tuna can be found, primarily, from Miami to Fort Pierce. You can also find Little Tuna in the keys, especially around Key West. As the little tuna prefers the warmer water, those who wish to fish for the tuna, but do not wish to go to the keys can find little tunny on the gulf.

While the Gulf may have the largest probability of gaining a catch, you can find tuna along the entire coast of Florida. The most populated fish would be the Blackfin. Reiterating, these fish can be found throughout the coast, both the Atlantic and the Gulf.

Tuna is migratory. This means that you will find an abundance in the Bahamas in the mid-summer months, but may find that the tuna navigates to the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico later in the year. Always keep in mind that the tuna will be more prominent in warm water locations.

How to catch the tuna

The best location in which to catch tuna is a few miles offshore. Trolling is the most effective methodology for catching tuna. As tuna does not have a “fixed” location but rather tends to be in constant movement, trolling maximizes the potential to come upon a school. When trolling in your offshore boat, using live bait is the best way to snag a tuna.

Yellowfin tuna can be caught using larger reels and trolling as well. As the fish is in the 80 lbs. or larger range, you will need to go a bit further offshore to find the perfect location. Regardless of the type of Tuna you are seeking, using live bait or using bright colored lures is the best means of catching a tuna. Since tuna are fighters, use proper safety equipment so you do not lose your rod or get pulled overboard.

A note about your catches

The FWC has the bag limits and the size requirements for each type of tuna. Where you do not see a species of tuna, it could be that the tuna does not have any bag or size limitation. Ensure that you check the prohibited species list. When fishing for tuna, which does not have a bag or size limit, specifically the Blackfin tuna, there are still some regulations. Florida states that when fishing Blackfin and non-regulated harvested fish, that the catcher does not exceed a 100 lb. harvest or two fish whose accumulated weight is 100 lbs.

Getting to the best places to fish for tuna in Florida

Finding a fishing boat to get to your tuna location is easy with Vessel Vendor. Vessel Vendor offers a large selection of pre-owned vessels. Our models are from the top manufacturers, brands, listed by boat enthusiasts. As offshore fishing varies from location to location in Florida, and the needs of the angler will vary, we suggest that you look at our brand, manufacturer summary, model, and location pages to help you determine the proper boat for your fishing needs.

Are you looking to sell your boat? Great. Vessel Vendor would love for you to list your vessel with us. Our easy to use platform gives you the ability to list the specifics of your fishing vessel and pictures of your craft.

Should you have any questions about fishing for tuna in Florida, boats best used for tuna fishing in Florida, purchasing or selling your craft, or if you have general inquires about Vessel Vendor, please contact us through the appropriate form on our website. We look forward to hearing from you soon and welcome to the Vessel Vendor family.