If you’re looking for big game action with plenty to show for it, the Tuna fishing Florida offers could be just the ticket. Blackfin Tuna may not have the superstar status of their Blue and Yellow cousins, but they still put up some serious fight! Most Blackfin caught in Florida weigh in at around 10-20 pounds, but monsters pushing 50 pounds have been caught in the past. And it’s not just Blackfin out there. Yellowfin Tuna are found in both the Gulf and the Atlantic. Albacore Tuna are a much rarer sight, but they do still show up on occasion. Even the Bluefin make the headlines every so often.

Tuna can be caught along the length the Atlantic Coast and throughout the Keys. In the Gulf, you have to travel much further, but the fishing is still outstanding when you get there. Here are some of the top spots to visit in your search for screaming reels and sashimi.

 

The Keys straddle the Gulf and the Atlantic, and sit right in the path of any fish migrating in or out. What that means for you is a ton of tasty Tuna. Key West, Marathon, and Islamorada are big Tuna hotspots. As well as Blackfin, you can sometimes find Yellowfin and that one-in-a-million Bluefin as they make their way into the Gulf to spawn.

 

The Gold Coast has some of the best Tuna fishing charters Florida can offer. The instant drop-off and easy access to the Gulf Stream keep deep sea anglers busy from West Palm Beach to Miami. Further north, you have to travel to reach the Tuna grounds, but the fishing in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine is still outstanding. Port Canaveral even has a Yellowfin Tuna tournament, the Otherside Invitational.

 

You may have to travel a hundred miles to find Tuna in the Gulf. Make the trip, and you’ll be rewarded with an incredible Tuna bite and much less competition than you would find elsewhere. Destin is probably the most famous spot to launch from, up on the Florida Panhandle. St Petersburg offers the most action in Central Florida, although charters leave from as far south as Cape Coral. 

The great thing about the Tuna fishing Florida has access to is that you can follow the fish all around the state. Blackfin spend their summers in the Gulf, peaking May through September. They make their way along Southeast Florida on their way in and out. March through May is the main peak in the Atlantic, with a shorter season in September and October. You can also find big Blackfin wintering in the Keys. All told, Florida has a full 12 months of world-class Blackfin action. Yellowfin have a shorter season, peaking in the summer and fall in both the Gulf and the Atlantic.

Tuna are usually caught by trolling in Florida. Along the Atlantic Coast, you may be using live Bonito or Skipjack to tempt big fish onto the hook. In the Gulf, you’ll be covering a lot more ground. Brined Ballyhoo or spreads of lures are more common, as these let you troll faster to maximize your chances. Down in the Keys, many captains also chum the water around the Humps with hundreds of live Pilchards, drawing Tuna from far and wide. 

 

Of course, there are a dozen ways to catch Tuna in Florida. From fly fishing to kite fishing to throwing lures on light spinning gear, you can find a charter captain specializing in just about everything. The Sunshine State is the world’s top sportfishing playground. No matter how you fish, you’ll be in for an unforgettable bluewater adventure.