Are you planning to go to Florida to catch huge tuna? You’ll need to know exactly where to go! While Florida is a hotspot for huge fish species, it’s best to be smart in the bodies of water to fish in when you want to catch specific species, such as tuna. That way, you won’t waste a day fishing in the wrong area, only to go home empty-handed.
But where are the best places to fish for tuna in the state? Read on to know where to catch tuna in Florida!
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Where to Catch Tuna in Florida
Florida is known as “The Fishing Capital of the World,” with home to more than 900 world records, 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers, as well as almost 2,300 miles of tidal shoreline! Plus with the beautiful sunshine and amazing fishing opportunities, this is the place to be to catch the big one.
I know how daunting it feels when trying to figure out where to go. To help you out, these are the seven best areas to catch tuna when you’re in Florida:
1. Stuart
Stuart is called the Sailfish Capital of the World and The Panama Canal of Florida because there are many bodies of water. You can get a lot of amazing snook catches, as well as good tuna!
The Gulf Stream is only ten miles offshore, so you can go big game fishing, catching sailfish, or Mahi Mahi successfully. If you go further and do a 12-hour deep-sea excursion, you can have the chance to get Blue Marlin, Yellowfish Tune, or the prized Billfish to brag about!
While they are more known for their snook and sailfish, you can still catch tuna when staying inland. However, you should try longer deep-sea charters at least once when you’re here!
2. Destin
Destin is visited by thousands of people every year, with hundreds of fishing charters trying to catch the big one. The area is known as The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, as it started from a small fishing village, turning to one of the world’s premier gulf coast hotspots for fishing.
It’s best to visit the area in October when over 30,000 people are competing for prizes and having fun in the Destin Fishing Rodeo. Whether you want competition or to meet fellow anglers for a good time, you’ll have a ton of fun with the community.
Furthermore, you can catch a lot of tuna and fish, such as the Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel, Snapper, and bigger catches of up to 150 pounds! Since Destin is near the Gulf of Mexico and East Pass, you can garner more success with tuna here.
3. Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is just a few hours’ drives away from Disneyland, a popular destination among tourists and anglers. It’s one of the best areas to fish when in Orlando, as it has six miles of beaches, a ton of water, and a vast pier.
Depending on the season, you can find Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel, Sailfish, and Cobia when you’re 20 miles out to the sea.
But when you reach another 20 miles out, you’ll be in the Gulf Stream, where you can catch more Mahi Mahi, as well as the Blackfin and Yellowfin tuna. You might even get yourself a Blue Marlin or Snapper!
4. West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach is home to many anglers of different techniques and skills. If you want the ultimate voyage in Florida’s largest charter boats to catch big tuna, you’ll want to visit this area.
The waters are beautiful, warm, and rich with tons of fish, with the Gulf Stream being ten miles away from town. Once there, you have access to the big game, such as the Blackfin Tuna and Mahi Mahi!
And once you reach 30 miles, you’ll find a ton of sailfish, where you can catch almost 100 in a day. Head on a bit deeper, and the more tuna and rarer gamefish you can find, including the prized ones to brag about once you’re home.
5. Vilano Beach Fishing Pier
The Vilano Beach Fishing Pier is an amazing area to fish, as it gives you free entry with an adorable entrance.
There’s a huge dolphin structure at the pier entrance, and once you walk in, you can fish in peace from the pier, having the beautiful view of the sunset by the Atlantic Ocean.
You’ll also find great views of the Usina Bridge and intercostal water, and head on to the beach restaurants after a busy day fishing!
In here, you can catch a variety of tuna, as well as Sea Trout, redfish, swordfish, and snook.
6. St. Johns County Ocean Pier
The St. Johns County Ocean Pier is located in the st. Augustine Bay, which is Across the Lions Bridge in Anastasia Island. There are a variety of free facilities in the area, from beach access to splash parks, and even covered pavilions, restrooms, and parking for all!
This is a great area to stay and relax in, as well as fish by the pier. Only costing less than $4 to fish, you can find a variety of fish species, ranging from tuna to redfish, as well as swordfish, snook, and Sea Trout!
Read More: Can You Catch Tuna From Shore: The Answers Revealed
If you want to learn more about catching tuna in Florida, this informative video can help you out:
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re a local looking for the best waters to catch tuna, or a tourist wanting the best out of your fishing trip, you’re going to love fishing in Florida. As long as you know where to go, you’ll have a fun time fishing and catching tuna! And of course, prepare the right equipment and brush up your tuna fishing techniques to increase your chances of getting a bite.
Hopefully, this list of where to catch tuna in Florida gave you an idea of where to go for your next fishing trip! So don’t wait any longer and plan your ultimate Florida fishing trip now. Happy fishing!