Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Florida

Yellowfin is federally managed: the boat needs an HMS Angling or HMS Charterboat/Headboat permit, fish must be at least 27 inches curved fork length, and the limit is 3 per person per day or trip.

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

  • 240.00 lb Key West · December 5, 2002 · Michael Delph

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 60 inches
Where it livesOffshore waters
What it eatsFishes and invertebrates

NOAA says yellowfin grow fairly fast, up to 400 pounds, and live about 7 years.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • The boat needs an HMS Angling or HMS Charterboat/Headboat permit, and NOAA says the permit covers everyone fishing aboard. On a charter you don't need your own.
  • Federal rules apply in state waters too, per FWC.
  • Yellowfin cannot be kept if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is on board or has been offloaded from the vessel.
  • Ask whether the boat holds the HMS permit before you book a tuna trip.

Yellowfin, state and federal waters: when you can keep one

Federal rules, which FWC says apply in state waters.

  • Anglers on a vessel with an HMS permitOpenNOAA Fisheries lists the fishery as open.
27 inches curved fork lengthSize limit
3 per person per day or tripDaily limit. Per day or per trip, per NOAA. The vessel needs an HMS Angling or Charterboat/Headboat permit.

Questions about yellowfin tuna

How big does a yellowfin tuna have to be?

27 inches curved fork length, measured along the curve of the body from the tip of the jaw to the fork of the tail.

How many yellowfin can I keep?

3 per person per day or trip.

Does the charter's permit cover me?

Yes. NOAA says the vessel's HMS permit covers everyone fishing on that vessel.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from NOAA Fisheries, recreational Atlantic tuna statuses and limits and FWC, billfish, tuna and swordfish regulations and FWC, yellowfin tuna profile and NOAA Fisheries, Atlantic yellowfin tuna in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.