Outer Banks Tuna fishing.. When is the best time of yr.
Always wanted to do a tuna charter (bucket list) , but with the cost and 2 sons we just did the usual charter. Well my youngest just graduated from college and landed a job. He now wants to take ME fishing and foot the bill. Maybe I did something right. He wants me to find out best time of year. Any help out there?
I am no expert but usually September - December is best at the outer banks. We go with phideaux charters and have a blast. He's a hell of a good captain. Last year we got 16 yellow and black fin and 2 sail fish. Defiantly would recommend them.1700 for day.
A first hand recommendation as stated on the other reply is always good. If you need other info, try contacting Oregon Inlet http://www.oregon-inlet.com/
They certainly can help you. Highly recommended.
Mike
I went out years ago and got plenty of yellowfin in late October. None were bigger than about 40lbs, most a little smaller. If you can brave the conditions, the big Bluefin make their annual run fairly close to shore sometime btwn Jan.-Mar., I think. I agree with the prior post- contact the guys down at Oregon Inlet. Good luck.
You can fish off Hatteras for tuna all year. Bluefin are probably moving further south by now. You have to read the reports. I dont because I might start crying. I havent lived down there in a few years. The problem arranging a charter Dec-March is the weather. Its a real gamble.
But the spring is INCREDIBLE out of Oregon and Hatteras Inlet. Tuna, dolphin, wahoo, etc Check out Teach's Lair or Hatteras Harbor for the early spring bite- mid April. Oregon Inlet- late April-May.
If you want to go in the summer. Try the Norfolk Canyon or Fingers out of Rudee Inlet if you don't mind a 60+ mile run. Chunking butterfish for 50-80 yellowfin is a blast. Having a fish like that hit while youre feeding line out. Watch your thumbs. Lol
As mentioned earlier the fall is awesome. If it were me I'd start looking for late April.
Good luck.
Last edited by Treeman; 02-19-2012 at 12:46 PM.
Reason: edit
We always go at the end of September. houses are half as much and the surf and deep sea fishing seems better. like the other post said the weather can be iffy that time of year
We were the seconed charter he took after the hurricane that went through last year. That place was a mess. We couldn't even get to salvo where we usually stay, so we got a house in corolla last year.
it depends on what kind of tuna you are looking to get. If you want giant Bluefin october in massachusetts off of the cape is your best shot to land a 1000lb fish, second would be december out of the oregon inlet. If its not the giants you are after, ironman is right. You cant beat Venice La yellowfin fishing in october during shrimp season. You dont have to go far from shore and you will most likely be trolling right behind a shrimp boat. The weather is still good then and you will catch alot of tuna. Most will be in that 50-100lb range but you have a good chance of getting that 150-200lb yellowfin. Have fun, its the most fun you will ever have fishing