How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in the Southeast Atlantic
The short answer
Yellowfin Tuna in the Southeast Atlantic hold on bluewater. They peak Mar–May and Sep–Oct. Start with chunk bait: Anchor or drift and chunk butterfish/menhaden — bury a circle hook in a chunk and feed it back in the slick, bail open. First light is the magic — be on the grounds before the sun.
When Yellowfin Tuna bite in the Southeast Atlantic
Spring & fall runs along the Stream — winter fish some years
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
around | around | peak | peak | peak | around | around | around | peak | peak | around | around |
What to throw for Yellowfin Tuna
Best first. The retrieve matters more than the lure, so each one says how to work it.
- Chunk bait — Anchor or drift and chunk butterfish/menhaden — bury a circle hook in a chunk and feed it back in the slick, bail open.
- Ballyhoo (trolled) — Skirted ballyhoo spread 6–8 kt around bait; green machines and cedar plugs still catch them.
- Vertical jig — Drop a knife jig through marks under the boat and rip it back — brutal, effective.
Where to find them
Look for bluewater.
Find life: birds, porpoises, a temperature edge. In the chunk, match your sink rate to the freebies — a chunk that drifts unnaturally gets refused. 27" curved-fork minimum, 3/person — and clear ice to take care of the meat.
Tide and timing
Tide isn't the driver for yellowfin tuna — first light is the magic — be on the grounds before the sun.
Tackle
30–50 lb stand-up or heavy spinning · 50–80 lb fluoro · strong circle hooks for the chunk
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.