Best Times & Seasons to Catch Tuna in North Carolina
Tuna are one of the most targeted fish species in North Carolina’s inshore fisheries. Knowing the best times and seasons to target tuna in North Carolina can help anglers increase their fish catches.
The best times to catch tuna in North Carolina are January to April and October to December. Tuna fishing is excellent at these times of the year.
The coast of North Carolina offers great tuna fishing to anglers. North Carolina is home to different types of tuna including bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, and yellowfin tuna.
Tuna Fishing in North Carolina
Summer is the best time of the year to target bigeye tuna in North Carolina. The worst months for catching bigeye tuna in the region are January to April and from October to December. Bigeye tuna bites well at dawn and at dusk. Bigeye tuna is active when water temperatures are 55 – 85°F. The best temperature for bigeye tuna is 77°F.
The best months to fish for bluefin tuna in North Carolina are January to February and November to December. The worst months to catch bluefin tuna in the region are April – September. Anglers can catch bluefin tuna in the waters of North Carolina at any time of day.
However, bluefin tuna feeds actively in the early morning and go to offshore waters in the late afternoon. The slack tide is the best tide to catch bluefin tuna in the local waters. The best temperatures for bluefin tuna fishing are 60 – 72°F. When water temperatures are 70 – 75°F, tuna feeds on the surface.
The best months to fish for yellowfin tuna in North Carolina are March to June and October to December. The worst months to catch yellowfin tuna in the region are January to February and July to September.
It’s possible to target yellowfin tuna between dusk and dawn. However, yellowfin tuna fishing is best near sunrise and sunset. The best temperatures for bluefin tuna fishing are 72 – 82°F.
Seasonal Breakdown of Tuna Fishing in North Carolina
Winter
Bluefin tuna fishing is excellent during the winter months. In winter, bluefin tuna travel along the coast of North Carolina. Anglers should go fishing in offshore waters to catch bluefin tuna.
Winter is a great time of the year to target yellowfin tuna in the waters of North Carolina. North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Oregon Inlet and Southport are good winter tuna fishing spots.
Spring
Spring is the time of the year when bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna migrate along North Carolina’s outer banks. Yellowfin tuna is active in the local waters during the spring months. In the early spring, bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna can be found in the Outer Banks’ offshore waters.
In the late spring, it’s necessary to go fishing in the offshore waters to catch yellowfin tuna. It also makes a lot of sense to search for yellowfin tuna in Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet.
Summer
Bigeye tuna fishing is excellent in the waters near North Carolina during the summer months. Anglers go fishing offshore from 40 – 70 miles from the coast to catch tuna successfully in summer. Yellowfin tuna can be found in large schools in the waters near the Outer Banks.
That’s why fishermen should visit the Outer Bank’s rich nearshore marine ecosystem to catch yellowfin tuna during the summer fishing trips in North Carolina.
Fall
Tuna fishing is very productive in waters near North Carolina during the fall months. Bigeye tuna fishing is good in the region in the early fall and less productive in the late fall.
Bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna bite well in the local waters in the late fall. In the fall, it’s possible to fish for tuna in nearshore and offshore waters.
Recommended Tuna Fishing Charters in North Carolina
These North Carolina-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Lucky Strike Charters | Calabash, NC |
| Rabid Tuna Sportfishing Charters | Hatteras, NC |
| Carrisma Sportfishing | Wanchese, NC |
| S. S. Fish Witch II Charters | Carolina Beach, NC |
| Fish Whistle Chartering | Carolina Beach, NC |
| Artemis Sportfishing | Manteo, NC |
| Tombstone Charters | Atlantic Beach, NC |
| Seas The Day NC | Hatteras, NC |
| Carolina Beach Sportfishing | Carolina Beach, NC |
| Hitman Sportfishing | Wanchese, NC |
| STOLAT Fishing Charters | Wanchese, NC |
| DreamGirl Sportfishing | Ocracoke, NC |
| Blue Chip Sportfishing | Manteo, NC |
Surf Fishing in North Carolina
Surf anglers can go fishing on the coast of North Carolina at any time of the year. However, surf fishing is best in the region during the fall months. It’s possible to surf fish from beaches. The Outer Banks provide anglers with excellent surf fishing opportunities.
Fishing for tuna from the shore is very productive between October and December. January through April are the worst months to surf fish for tuna in the region.
It would be great to do surf fishing early in the morning or late in the evening. The weather is not hot and beaches are empty during the morning and evening hours. But most importantly, tuna fishing is excellent. Anglers can also go fishing for tuna at night. The chances to catch yellowfin tuna are high during the night hours.
Best Seasons for North Carolina Tuna (by Region)
Coastal North Carolina
Tuna fishing is successful throughout the year on North Carolina’s Atlantic coast. Hatteras is one of the best places to fish for tuna on the coast of North Carolina. Cold water feeding grounds and warm water spawning grounds attract tuna in the coastal waters of North Carolina.
Bluefin tuna can be found in the places where the warm Gulf Stream and cooler Labrador currents meet. Anglers can catch bluefin tuna successfully on the North Carolina coast in the early winter.
Outer Banks
Tuna can be targeted in the Outer Banks of North Carolina year-round. However, the waters warm up and tuna starts feeding actively. Yellowfin fishing is excellent in the area between April and May.
Bigeye tuna get active in the offshore waters of North Carolina’s Outer Banks during the spring and summer months.
Night Fishing Tuna in North Carolina
Yellowfin tuna is the main target during night fishing trips in North Carolina. Nighttime yellowfin tuna fishing is excellent in the region. Oftentimes, anglers land big tuna during night hours. Some anglers choose to use trolling lures to catch tuna.
Moon phases have an impact on tuna fishing in North Carolina. Tuna bite well on the full moon and don’t bite great after the full moon. Night fishing for tuna is best between May and August.
Best Tidal Conditions for Tuna in North Carolina
The success of tuna fishing in North Carolina depends on tide times. Water movement brings food for tuna. Tides affect tuna feeding activity. Slack tide is the best time to catch tuna. Tuna feeds actively during morning and midday slack tides.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Carolina Beach, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch pompano in North Carolina, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tuna in Texas, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in North Carolina, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch king mackerel in North Carolina, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch mahi-mahi in North Carolina, check out this helpful guide.
