UTERYellowfin tuna fishing in Chesapeake Bay
In Chesapeake Bay, yellowfin tuna peak June–July and October–November and are around May–December, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Yellowfin on the Norfolk Canyon edge and the 'Fingers'.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Yellowfin tuna in Chesapeake Bay, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArriving
- JunePeakYellowfin on the Norfolk Canyon edge and the 'Fingers'.
- JulyPeak
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeakThe fall run off Virginia — chunk the canyon edges.
- DecemberLeaving
Where to fish yellowfin tuna near Annapolis, Kent Island, Solomons
The biggest estuary in the country: 200 miles of brackish bay fed by the Susquehanna, Potomac, Patuxent, Choptank, Nanticoke, Rappahannock and James, with oyster bars, channel edges and lumps in the main stem, marsh islands down Tangier Sound, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel's pilings and islands at the mouth. Salinity climbs from fresh at the Flats to ocean at Cape Henry.
Fish Scouter charts 850 wreck spots in the The Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake Bay?
Peak season is June–July and October–November. Yellowfin tuna are in Chesapeake Bay May–December. June: Yellowfin on the Norfolk Canyon edge and the 'Fingers'.
Where do yellowfin tuna hold in Chesapeake Bay?
Look on wreck — around Annapolis, Kent Island, Solomons, Tilghman Island, Crisfield, Deltaville.
What is the best bait for yellowfin tuna in Chesapeake Bay?
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
Fish Scouter scores yellowfin tuna for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
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All about yellowfin tuna · The Chesapeake, the whole year