Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Ocracoke means running offshore to the Gulf Stream, with two named grounds on the shoals either side of the port. This page covers timing, where boats run, the two named grounds, the local trip format and who runs it. For inlet, ramp and marina detail, see the Ocracoke port page.
Season out of Ocracoke
Timing comes in two layers: a general offshore window for the port, and bluefin timing, which sits with the species guide.
General offshore window
The Free Ranger says "August-September is a great time to fish off of Ocracoke." That is a general offshore window for the port, not a bluefin window, and it shouldn’t be read as one.
Bluefin timing
For bluefin timing and movements, use our Atlantic bluefin tuna guide. Plan the trip around that guide rather than the general window above.
Where boats run
Boats from Ocracoke run offshore to the Gulf Stream. Two shoal systems frame the local grounds, and each named ground ties to one of them.
Gulf Stream trips
Diamond Shoals sits to the north of the port and Cape Lookout Shoals to the south. Each carries one of the two named grounds below.
The NWS Newport/Morehead City office issues the official marine forecast for the zones around Ocracoke, with wind and sea state in numbers. Read it before you commit to the run.
| Ground | Shoal system | Direction from Ocracoke | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back of the Tower | Diamond Shoals (tip) | North | 600 ft |
| The Slot | Cape Lookout Shoals | South | Plot from current charts |
Back of the Tower
Back of the Tower sits at the tip of Diamond Shoals, in 600 ft of water off the end of the shoal.
The Slot
The Slot is a passage across Cape Lookout Shoals. Plot the route on current NOAA charts before you run it.
To see the shoal edges before the run, plot Back of the Tower and The Slot on the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
For the wider Gulf Stream picture, see the southeast regional bluefin picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
How it is fished locally
The local format is the full-day offshore trip.
Full-day offshore trips
The Gecko, a 46 ft boat, runs full-day offshore trips out of Ocracoke. If you’re planning your own day, use the same format and build your fuel, weather and return plan around a long day on the water.
For methods and tackle, use our tuna fishing guides.
Who fishes for them out of Ocracoke
Gecko Sportfishing out of Ocracoke lists Atlantic bluefin tuna among its targets. It runs two boats.
Gecko
- The Gecko, a 46 ft custom Carolina sport fisher that runs full-day offshore trips.
Drumrunner
- The Drumrunner, 26 ft.
FAQ
Where do Ocracoke boats run for bluefin tuna?
Offshore to the Gulf Stream. Back of the Tower on Diamond Shoals and The Slot across Cape Lookout Shoals are the named local grounds, and the trip is a full day.
How deep is Back of the Tower?
600 ft, at the tip of Diamond Shoals.
What is The Slot?
A passage across Cape Lookout Shoals. Plot it on current NOAA charts before you run it.
Who runs bluefin charters out of Ocracoke?
Gecko Sportfishing, which runs full-day offshore trips on the 46 ft Gecko and also operates the 26 ft Drumrunner.
What permits apply to bluefin tuna fishing from Ocracoke?
Bluefin fall under NOAA Fisheries Atlantic HMS, which requires an HMS permit. State licensing is set by NCDMF. Check both before you fish.
