Procuring a Boat

• East Coast tuna fishing cannot be accomplished from the shore because tuna swim in deep sea waters that are generally no closer than 50 miles from shore. Fishing charter websites will have their prices and scheduling dates listed.
  
  

New England Tuna Fishing

• Fishing for tuna is an exhilarating sport because tuna are known to be the strongest fish in the sea because of their lean, pure muscled body that can weigh up to 1,000 lbs. Tuna fishing off the coast of New England is a favorite spot to catch bluefin tuna because the bluefin is known to be the largest of the tuna species and provides anglers the strongest fight with the most fillets per pound. The best time of year to catch bluefin off the coast of Massachusetts is late July through October because they are searching for schools of squid and herring to feed on.
  
  

Southern Atlantic Tuna Fishing

• Tuna fishing in the southern region of the United States is different than fishing in New England waters. The bluefin can only be found in cold, northern waters. The tuna found in warmer waters are the yellowfin, which are known by their distinct football shape and sunny yellow fins. They are also smaller than their bluefin cousins, rarely weighing more than 200 lbs. Because the yellowfin tuna prefers warmer water, they are generally found in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and in east Atlantic waters about 20 miles from the coast.
  
  

Tuna Fishing Tackle

• The tackle needed for tuna fishing varies from specialized fishing poles to drop lines that are attached to the boat. If you are angling with a fishing rod, each rod is specially bent and stabilized to safely manage the weight and fight a tuna will put up while being reeled in to the boat. If you are dropping lines, known as trolling, multiple lines are dropped into the water and are equipped with flashy bait that attracts tuna.
  
  

Tuna Fishing Bait

• The type of bait used by tuna anglers can be alive or artificial. Additionally, bait preferred by tuna will change daily depending on the weather patterns and what schools of smaller fish inhabit the area you are fishing in. Most tuna anglers will bring several types of bait along. You should cut open the first tuna caught in order to see what bait is being eaten that day by the tuna.
  
  

Tuna Regulations

• Regulations cover recreational and commercial tuna fishing that are set by the National Marine Fisheries Service. If you are planning to charter a tuna fishing boat, ask the captain in advance for charter schedules and tuna regulations that change frequently.