UTERYellowfin tuna fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, yellowfin tuna peak June–October and are around May–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Yellowfin in the Washington and Baltimore canyons; trolled spreader bars and chunking at night.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Yellowfin tuna in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArriving
- JunePeakYellowfin in the Washington and Baltimore canyons; trolled spreader bars and chunking at night.
- JulyPeakCanyon season opens up: yellowfin, mahi, white marlin. Run to Poor Man's, Baltimore and Washington canyons for marlin and tuna; fluke move to the ocean wrecks; croaker and spot in the bay and inland bays.
- AugustPeakThe White Marlin Capital at its peak. August is the white marlin month off Ocean City — dredges and ballyhoo on the canyon edges; mahi under the pot floats; big fluke on the ocean wrecks; night stripers under the inlet bridges.
- SeptemberPeakMahi and marlin offshore; albies and trout inshore. Some of the best mahi of the year in the canyons; false albacore on the inshore lumps; specks in the inland bays and the inlets.
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberLeaving
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish yellowfin tuna near Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City
Delaware Bay's big, shoaly estuary with the lumps and sloughs off Slaughter Beach and the Coral Beds; the Delaware, Maryland and Assateague surf; the inland bays and back bays behind them (Rehoboth, Indian River, Assawoman, Sinepuxent, Chincoteague); Virginia's wild seaside barrier islands; and the offshore lumps (Jackspot, Hambone) out to Baltimore, Poor Man's and Washington canyons.
Fish Scouter charts 150 wreck, 1 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Delmarva & Delaware Bay map area — the kinds yellowfin tuna hold on.
What to use for yellowfin tuna
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Menhaden (pogies)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined or slow-trolled; cut in chunks for the bottom.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 72–84°F water, best at 74–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch yellowfin tuna in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is June–October. Yellowfin tuna are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City May–November. June: Yellowfin in the Washington and Baltimore canyons; trolled spreader bars and chunking at night.
Where do yellowfin tuna hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on ledge / hard bottom, wreck — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for yellowfin tuna in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), menhaden (pogies), threadfin herring (greenbacks), opelu (mackerel scad). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about yellowfin tuna · Delmarva & Delaware Bay, the whole year