When blackfin are off Fernandina Beach
Blackfin tuna fishing out of Fernandina Beach means a long run to the Gulf Stream edge. Every distance on this page is measured from the inlet at Fernandina Beach. The season, mileage and grounds below come from the local charters that fish them. For the wider regional pattern, see the Atlantic Southeast blackfin picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
Summer through fall
Pipe Dream Charters says blackfin fish best from summer through fall, and HooDoo Sportfishing Charters lists blackfin as a seasonal opportunity. With a short window, plan it in that stretch.
Winter on wahoo trips
Reel Dream’s wahoo trip out of Fernandina runs November to March and lists blackfin among its expected catches. That is overlap on a wahoo trip, not a separate blackfin season.
How far boats run and where
HooDoo’s 8-hour trip reaches up to 45 miles. Pipe Dream runs 50 to 70-plus miles to the Stream edge. Plan fuel and daylight around the longer figure.
| Operator | Reach out of the inlet |
|---|---|
| HooDoo Sportfishing Charters (8-hour trip) | Up to 45 miles |
| Pipe Dream Charters | 50 to 70-plus miles |
The Gulf Stream edge
Pipe Dream targets edge rips, the Gulf Stream temperature break and weed lines in 100 to 1000 ft of water, 50 to 70-plus miles out of the inlet. That is the main target. The reefs listed below are structure along the route.
The Ledge
The Ledge is a named ground near Fernandina Beach. Mark it on your chart and check the contours before committing fuel to it.
Reefs and culverts on the way out
These named sites sit inshore of the edge, in 60 to 83 ft. The FWC artificial reef guide gives the CD-06-#01 position.
| Site | Depth (ft) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Daddy (CD-06-#01) artificial reef | 67 | 30 25.920 N, 81 15.953 W |
| Captain Daddy (CD-06-#02) artificial reef | 67 | |
| Fernandina Snapper Banks culverts (FC sites, 1988 to 1991) | 70-83 | About 30 36 to 30 38.7 N, 81 11 W |
| Fernandina Banks Barbett (wooden boat) and 1989 culverts | 70 | About 30 36.6 N, 81 10.6 W |
| FB-6 culverts site | 60 | About 30 39.9 N, 81 11.0 W |
| BA reef sites (BA Reef, BA Site) | 60-65 |
Reading the break
The OBS SST and Chart Contours layers in Breakpoint help locate the Stream edge and the temperature breaks before the run. Cloud can hide the break from the satellite, and the layer cannot see through it. Chart layers are not for navigation. For wind, wave height and period, read the official marine forecast.
How blackfin are fished here
Pipe Dream fishes trolled feathers, cedar plugs and live bait. For general rigging and biology, see our blackfin tuna fishing guide.
Feathers and cedar plugs
Trolled feathers and cedar plugs are the artificial methods used locally, according to Pipe Dream.
Live bait
Live bait is the other local method, also per Pipe Dream.
Who fishes for blackfin out of Fernandina
Three local operators list blackfin tuna.
Pipe Dream Charters
Captain Scott Thompson runs Pipe Dream. The boat fishes blackfin best from summer through fall. It runs 50 to 70-plus miles to edge rips and temperature breaks, using trolled feathers, cedar plugs and live bait. Website: pipedreamchartersfl.com.
HooDoo Sportfishing Charters
Captains Tim Altman and Chris Altman, father and son, run HooDoo. It lists blackfin as a seasonal opportunity, and its 8-hour trip reaches up to 45 miles. Website: hoodoocharters.com.
Reel Dream Fishing Charters
Reel Dream is based in St. Augustine and runs a Fernandina trip. Reel Dream’s Fernandina wahoo trip runs November to March and lists blackfin among its expected catches.
FAQ for blackfin tuna off Fernandina Beach
When is the best time for blackfin off Fernandina Beach?
Summer through fall, per Pipe Dream. Reel Dream’s November to March wahoo trip also lists blackfin among expected catches.
How far is the run to the blackfin grounds?
50 to 70-plus miles out of the inlet to the Gulf Stream edge, in 100 to 1000 ft. That is the distance for blackfin tuna fishing out of Fernandina Beach on the edge grounds.
Are the nearshore reefs worth stopping at on the way out?
They sit in 60 to 83 ft, well inshore of the edge grounds at 50 to 70-plus miles. The table above lists each site with its depth and position.
Which charters target blackfin out of Fernandina?
Pipe Dream Charters (Captain Scott Thompson), HooDoo Sportfishing Charters (Captains Tim and Chris Altman), and Reel Dream Fishing Charters on its Fernandina wahoo trip.
How far does HooDoo’s 8-hour trip go?
Up to 45 miles.
Where do I find the rules and more on other tunas?
FWC and NOAA Fisheries set the rules. See the Regulations section above for both pages. For more on tuna generally, read our tuna fishing guides.
