When blackfin tuna are off Palm Beach
Blackfin tuna fishing out of Palm Beach runs spring and fall, the two seasons Mallard Sport Fishing names for the fish. Every run on this page starts at Palm Beach Inlet, and every distance and depth below is measured from there.
Biology and range are covered in our blackfin tuna fishing guide. For the wider coast, see blackfin on the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
Where boats run out of Palm Beach Inlet
Boats running for blackfin tuna pass the sailfish ledge at 120 to 200 ft and continue to The Hill at 200 to 300 ft.
- The sailfish ledge is the first stop and the reference point for the run.
- The Hill is the blackfin tuna spot.
- Sailfish Alley frames both.
The sailfish ledge
The sailfish ledge sits in 120 to 200 ft, about 20 minutes from Palm Beach Inlet. It has no formal name, so we call it by the fish it holds. Most boats pass over it on the way out.
The Hill
The Hill sits in 200 to 300 ft, further out than the sailfish ledge. The jumbos are here, and schoolies come on the troll. We give no mileage because we have no run time we can stand behind. Use the sailfish ledge as your reference and keep going.
Sailfish Alley
Sailfish Alley is the Gulf Stream corridor from Fort Pierce to North Miami Beach. The grounds on this page sit along it.
Grounds and structure off Palm Beach
Named structure off Palm Beach runs from 80 ft wrecks 1 mile off Singer Island to The Hill at 200 to 300 ft.
| Name | Depth | Location and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sailfish ledge | 120 to 200 ft | About 20 minutes from Palm Beach Inlet |
| The Hill | 200 to 300 ft | Further out than the sailfish ledge; blackfin tuna spot |
| 120 ft ledge | 120 ft | Offshore of the inlet; Mallard’s name for the kingfish edge |
| 100 to 300 ft edges | 100 to 300 ft | Offshore edge; wahoo |
| Bridge Reef and the Playground | 100 to 200 ft | Near Palm Beach |
| M/V Ana Cecilia | 80 to 85 ft | 1 mile offshore of Singer Island |
| Danny McCauley Memorial Reef (tug) | 80 ft | 1 mile offshore of Singer Island; part of the Wreck Trek |
The Hill is the only listed blackfin tuna spot. The rest are named structure you will cross or work on the same trip.
How blackfin are fished here
Locals split the fishery by size: schoolies on the troll, jumbos on live bait in 200 to 300 ft. Methods for other tuna are in our tuna fishing guides.
Trolling for schoolies
Schoolies are taken on the troll. Boats run to The Hill and work the water there.
Live bait for bigger fish
Live bait setups are the local method for jumbos, fished in 200 to 300 ft at The Hill.
Small live baits and vertical jigs
Mallard also names small live baits or vertical jigs near wrecks and drop-offs. The edges and wrecks in the table above are that kind of structure.
Who fishes for blackfin tuna out of Palm Beach
Three local charters list blackfin tuna, two of them out of Sailfish Marina.
- Island Time Sport Fishing: 52 ft Viking. Capt. Tyler Morris. Departs Sailfish Marina.
- Mallard Sport Fishing: Mallard, a 54 ft custom-built sportfishing vessel at Sailfish Marina.
- Reel Intense Fishing Charters: custom 35 ft center consoles. Captain Weston.
FAQ: blackfin tuna fishing off Palm Beach
When is blackfin season off Palm Beach?
Spring and fall, per Mallard.
How deep is The Hill off Palm Beach?
The Hill sits in 200 to 300 ft, further out than the sailfish ledge at 120 to 200 ft.
How far is the sailfish ledge from Palm Beach Inlet?
About 20 minutes, in 120 to 200 ft. The Hill sits beyond it.
How do locals catch jumbo blackfin tuna?
Live bait setups in 200 to 300 ft. Schoolies come on the troll. Mallard also names small live baits or vertical jigs near wrecks and drop-offs.
Which Palm Beach charters list blackfin tuna?
- Island Time Sport Fishing, out of Sailfish Marina
- Mallard Sport Fishing, out of Sailfish Marina
- Reel Intense Fishing Charters, on 35 ft center consoles
