How to Catch Blackfin Tuna in the Southeast Atlantic
The short answer
Blackfin Tuna in the Southeast Atlantic hold on bluewater, nearshore reefs. They peak Mar–May and Oct–Nov. Start with vertical jig: Dropped and ripped through a marked school — deadly on blackfin. Dawn — the topwater and jig bite is best early.
When Blackfin Tuna bite in the Southeast Atlantic
Year-round offshore, best in the cooler months
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
around | around | peak | peak | peak | around | around | around | around | peak | peak | around |
What to throw for Blackfin Tuna
Best first. The retrieve matters more than the lure, so each one says how to work it.
- Vertical jig — Dropped and ripped through a marked school — deadly on blackfin.
- Cigar minnow — Trolled small, or chunked in a slick behind an anchored boat over structure.
- Ballyhoo — Small skirted ballyhoo in the trolling spread.
Where to find them
Look for bluewater, nearshore reefs.
Blackfin school over nearshore ledges and the break — look for birds and bait marks. A chunk slick or a fast vertical jig through a marked school gets bit. Great on the grill.
Tide and timing
Tide isn't the driver for blackfin tuna — dawn — the topwater and jig bite is best early.
Tackle
Medium-heavy jigging/spinning · 30–50 lb braid · 40–60 lb fluoro leader
Check the regulations
Size and bag limits change by state and by season, and they change more often than any article gets updated. Check your state agency before you keep anything.
Sounder links the right state agency for wherever you drop a pin, and flags a fish that’s out of slot as you log it.