Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Stonington runs June through September, and whether a given trip produces depends on whether the fish are in range. The trips are full-day offshore runs to open water south of Montauk and Block Island. The reefs and passages around Stonington, Connecticut, at the eastern end of Fishers Island Sound, are the water near the harbor and on the way out. The yellowfin water is well beyond them. General yellowfin behavior and tackle are covered in our species guide, so this page sticks to the port: when the season runs, where boats go, what structure sits near the harbor, how the fish are caught, and who runs the trips.
When yellowfin are around Stonington
June through September is the window, but range decides each trip. Yellowfin are never a sure thing from this port.
Season window
The offshore tuna trolling and jigging trips from Stonington target yellowfin from June through September. Within that window, boats go after yellowfin on days when the fish are in range.
Sharing the season with bluefin
Yellowfin are fished on the same full-day offshore trips as bluefin tuna, using trolling and jigging. The trip goes offshore for tuna, and yellowfin are part of the target when they are within range.
Where boats run from Stonington
When yellowfin are in range, boats run to open water south of Montauk and Block Island. The route leaves the local water near the harbor, passes the reefs and The Race (the tidal passage near Stonington Harbor), and continues offshore. It is a full-day run, not a reef trip.
The wider offshore picture south of Montauk and Block Island is in our regional guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide). Check the National Weather Service marine forecast for wind and wave height before committing to the run.
| Run area | Condition |
|---|---|
| South of Montauk | When fish are in range |
| South of Block Island | When fish are in range |
Open water south of Montauk
South of Montauk is one of the two open-water areas boats run to when yellowfin are in range.
South of Block Island
South of Block Island is the other area, and the same condition applies: the fish have to be in range.
Grounds and structure near the port
The grounds below are named structure near Stonington and on the way out. They are inshore, local water rather than yellowfin grounds, which are offshore south of Montauk and Block Island. Chart layers are not for navigation, so use official charts.
| Ground | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Watch Hill Reef | – | Reef complex within an hour’s run, per Lauren B Charters |
| Sugar Reef | – | Named by Stonington Marina as within reach of its slips |
| Ram Island Reef | 35 ft | |
| Latimer Light and Latimer Reef | 35 to 40 ft | Off Latimer Light |
| Noyes Shoal | 10 ft | |
| Middle Ground | – | July and August bluefish ground |
| The Race | – | Tidal passage near Stonington Harbor |
| Fishers Island, south side | – | Isabella Beach area |
Watch Hill Reef
A reef complex within an hour’s run of Stonington, per Lauren B Charters.
Sugar Reef
Stonington Marina names Sugar Reef as within reach of its slips.
Ram Island Reef
A reef in 35 ft of water near the port.
Latimer Reef
Latimer Light and Latimer Reef sit in 35 to 40 ft of water off Latimer Light.
Noyes Shoal
Shoal water of 10 ft near the harbor. Find it on your chart before you head out.
Middle Ground
A July and August bluefish ground. It is part of the local water and is not yellowfin structure.
The Race
The tidal passage near Stonington Harbor.
Fishers Island south side
The south side of Fishers Island, in the Isabella Beach area.
How yellowfin are fished from this port
Yellowfin are caught by trolling and jigging, on the same full-day offshore trips as bluefin. The boat is set up for tuna, and when yellowfin are in range they are fished with the same methods on the same day. Our tuna guides cover both species side by side.
Trolling
Trolling is one of the two methods used on full-day offshore trips from Stonington.
Jigging
Jigging is the other method, used on the same trips.
Who fishes for yellowfin out of Stonington
Double Trouble Sportfishing is the local charter that lists yellowfin.
Double Trouble Sportfishing
Double Trouble Sportfishing runs the 2004 32 ft Topaz Double Down, licensed for 6 passengers. Its offshore tuna trips use trolling and jigging from June through September and run south of Montauk and Block Island when fish are in range.
FAQ: yellowfin tuna fishing out of Stonington
When is yellowfin season out of Stonington?
June through September. Boats target yellowfin within that window when the fish are in range.
How far do boats run for yellowfin?
Boats run to open water south of Montauk and Block Island on full-day offshore trips. The condition is the same each time: the fish have to be in range.
Are yellowfin caught on the local reefs?
The named reefs, including Watch Hill Reef and Latimer Reef, are local inshore structure near the port and on the way out. The yellowfin fishing is offshore, south of Montauk and Block Island.
Is there a charter that targets yellowfin from Stonington?
Double Trouble Sportfishing lists yellowfin tuna. Its boat is the 2004 32 ft Topaz Double Down, licensed for 6 passengers.
Do boats fish yellowfin and bluefin on the same trip?
Yes. Trolling and jigging are used on the same full-day offshore trips as bluefin tuna, with yellowfin targeted when they are in range.
