Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Florida

Bluefin are the largest of the tuna species. For the rest of 2026 the trophy fishery (73 inches and over) is closed in all areas, and fish 27 to under 73 inches may be kept everywhere except the Gulf, where NOAA does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 826.50 lb Gulf of Mexico · May 8, 2017 · Rick Whitley

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeCommon to 78 inches; the largest tuna
Where it livesOffshore waters
What it eatsFishes, squid and occasionally crustaceans

NOAA says bluefin can reach 13 feet and 2,000 pounds.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • In the Gulf, NOAA does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin, which spawn there, and the Gulf trophy fishery is closed through December 31, 2026.
  • Off the Atlantic coast, fish 27 to under 73 inches may be kept on a vessel with an HMS permit. The trophy fishery for 73 inches and over is closed for the rest of 2026.
  • NOAA set these limits for June 1 to December 31, 2026, unless modified by later action, and says it may adjust the limits or close the fishery later in the year. Check NOAA's bluefin status page before you go.
  • FWC says bluefin caught in state or federal waters must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours.
  • No bluefin may be kept if a hammerhead shark is on board or has been offloaded from the vessel.

Bluefin, Atlantic coast: when you can keep one

NOAA's southern area: south of 39°18' N latitude (off Great Egg Inlet, New Jersey), outside the Gulf of America.

  • Vessels with an HMS permit, fish 27 to under 73 inchesOpen, June 1 to December 31, 2026 limitsNOAA Fisheries.
  • Trophy fish, 73 inches and overClosed January 13 to December 31, 2026NOAA southern area trophy fishery.
27 to under 73 inches curved fork lengthSize limit
3 per vessel per day on a charter boatDaily limit. Of those, only 1 may be 47 to under 73 inches. Private boats with an HMS Angling permit: 2 per vessel. Headboats: 6. Limits in effect June 1 to December 31, 2026.

Bluefin, Gulf: when you can keep one

Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico): federal waters and Florida state waters, where FWC says federal regulations apply.

  • All anglersTrophy fishery closed May 21 to December 31, 2026NOAA Fisheries; the fishery for smaller bluefin is not open in the Gulf.
None may be kept through December 31, 2026Size limit
None through December 31, 2026Daily limit. NOAA does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin in the Gulf.

Questions about bluefin tuna

Can I keep a bluefin tuna in Florida?

Not in the Gulf for the rest of 2026. Off the Atlantic coast, a charter boat with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally may keep up to 3 per day measuring 27 to under 73 inches, only 1 of them 47 to under 73 inches, under the limits NOAA set for June 1 to December 31, 2026.

Can I keep a giant bluefin?

Not for the rest of 2026. NOAA has closed the trophy fishery for 73 inches and over in all areas for the remainder of 2026.

Do I have to report a bluefin?

Yes. FWC says bluefin caught in state or federal waters must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours, at 888-872-8862 or hmspermits.noaa.gov.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from NOAA Fisheries, recreational bluefin tuna statuses and limits and NOAA Fisheries, bluefin retention limit adjustment, May 27, 2026 and NOAA Fisheries, Gulf of America trophy bluefin closure, May 2026 and NOAA Fisheries, southern area trophy bluefin closure, January 2026 and NOAA Fisheries, Gulf of Maine trophy bluefin closure, August 2026 and FWC, billfish, tuna and swordfish regulations and FWC, bluefin tuna profile and NOAA Fisheries, western Atlantic bluefin tuna in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.