Yellowfin tuna across North Carolina
Finding and keeping yellowfin tuna, by North Carolina rules.
- 3 a daydaily creel
- 237 lb. 0 oz.record
Pick for yellowfinPiscifun AlinoX 400 baitcaster with bait clicker25% OFFSale $149.99 Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP), Public domain
Where yellowfin tuna fit in North Carolina
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) lives in North Carolina’s saltwater habitat. NCDMF sets a creel of 3 a day with 27 in minimum where coastal fishing waters.
The state record is 237 lb. 0 oz., taken at Off Cape Lookout in 1979. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 70 pounds or greater.
For the yellowfin herePiscifun Saltflow offshore rod25% OFFSale $299.99 How NCDMF describes yellowfin tuna
“Yellowfin tuna are torpedo-shaped fish that are a metallic dark blue on the back and upper sides with a yellow belly that changes to silver. The dorsal and anal fins, and finlets are bright yellow. It has elongated anal and dorsal fins.”
- SizeYellowfin tuna grow to 400 pounds.
- HabitatIn the western Atlantic, yellowfin tuna are found from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. They cover enormous distances around the globe and all stocks mingle. Yellowfin tuna often school with other species of the same size. They are frequently found schooling b
- DietYellowfin feed in open ocean waters on fishes and invertebrates associated with seaweed called Sargassum. They eat larval crabs, shrimp, squids, filefish, triggerfish and jacks.
- Fishing tipsSport fishermen catch yellowfin tuna by trolling brightly colored lures with ballyhoo at high speeds. North Carolina anglers land more pounds of yellowfin tuna than anglers in any other state in the nation. It is the primary species supporting the offshore charter fleet.
- Also calledyellowfin
- Confused withbigeye tuna, blackfin tuna, albacore
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
Creel limits for yellowfin tuna
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal fishing waters | 3 a day | 27 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
North Carolina record yellowfin tuna
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 237 lb. 0 oz. | Off Cape Lookout | 1979 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species that pair with yellowfin tuna
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Places to fish near Yellowfin tuna, pictured
Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Discover Durham, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Worth knowing about yellowfin tuna
Which rules govern keeping yellowfin tuna?
3 a day (Coastal fishing waters), size 27 in minimum.
Which water gave up the record yellowfin tuna?
237 lb. 0 oz. from Off Cape Lookout (1979).
Which waters produce yellowfin tuna?
In the western Atlantic, yellowfin tuna are found from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. They cover enormous distances around the globe and all stocks mingle. Yellowfin tuna often school with other spe
Does NCWRC stock yellowfin tuna?
Not on this year’s list.
How do I tell yellowfin tuna apart?
Yellowfin tuna grow to 400 pounds.
Can yellowfin tuna be kept this month?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license do yellowfin tuna anglers buy?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which captains list yellowfin tuna?
None list it by name; see the guides page.
Seek out yellowfin tuna
Pick a water from the lists on this page.