Blackfin season out of Sebastian Inlet
Blackfin tuna fishing out of Sebastian Inlet runs on two windows: winter into spring, and fall. The Sebastian Inlet port page has inlet, ramp and conditions detail. For temperature behavior and general biology, see the blackfin tuna species guide.
| Window | Months | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Winter into spring | February, March | Big Easy |
| Fall | November | Big Easy |
| Charter tuna trips | May through October | Nauti Girl |
Winter into spring
Big Easy’s fishing reports note blackfin in February and March.
Fall
Big Easy also notes blackfin in November.
Charter tuna months
Nauti Girl’s tuna trip lists May through October as its best months. Because these come from two different sources and cover two different windows, plan around both.
How far boats run
Boats run 30 to 70 miles offshore. For the wider Gulf Stream and regional picture, see the Atlantic Southeast blackfin guide (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide).
Three numbers frame the run:
- Destination: the Gulf Stream and the temperature breaks
- Depth band: 120 to 240 ft
- Distance: 30 to 70 miles to the EEZ
Gulf Stream and temperature breaks
Find the breaks on the OBS SST layer and read depth on Chart Contours. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Depths
Big Easy’s February note cites 120 to 240 ft, so build your plan around that band.
Run to the EEZ
Nauti Girl’s tuna trip runs 30 to 70 miles offshore to the EEZ.
Grounds and structure
The named structure off Sebastian Inlet ranges from 65 ft at the county reefs to 1600 ft at the drop grounds. The cited blackfin depth band is 120 to 240 ft. The reefs and bottom grounds are named ground on or near the run and are not blackfin spots.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sebastian Inlet north and south jetties with T-dock | At the inlet. The T-dock is the inlet’s dock area. | |
| Indian River County offshore artificial reefs (8 reefs) | 65 | 11 to 12 miles east of Sebastian Inlet |
| Big Easy reef complex (named 85 and 90 ft reefs) | 85 and 90 | |
| Bottom ground north of the inlet (unnamed) | 100 | Just north of Sebastian Inlet |
| Monster Hole (shoal) | ||
| Gulf Stream edge | ||
| Nauti Girl swordfish drop grounds | 1600 | 35 to 45 miles offshore of Melbourne and Sebastian |
Jetties and T-dock
The north and south jetties and the T-dock mark the departure point at the inlet.
Indian River County artificial reefs
Eight reefs sit in 65 ft of water, 11 to 12 miles east of Sebastian Inlet.
Big Easy reefs
The Big Easy reef complex includes named reefs at 85 and 90 ft.
100 ft bottom north of the inlet
An unnamed bottom ground sits in 100 ft, just north of the inlet.
Monster Hole
Monster Hole is a named shoal.
Gulf Stream edge
The Gulf Stream edge is the destination described in the run section above.
Swordfish drop grounds
The Nauti Girl swordfish drop grounds sit in 1600 ft, 35 to 45 miles offshore of Melbourne and Sebastian. They mark the outer range of the run and are not a blackfin spot.
How blackfin are fished here
Local anglers troll for blackfin and switch to spinning when fish show on top. For tackle detail across tuna species, including spreader bars and feathers, see the tuna fishing guides.
Trolling spread
The local trolling spread is ballyhoo, deep-diving plugs, spreader bars and tuna feathers.
Light-tackle spinning
When fish feed on the surface, anglers switch to light-tackle spinning, so keep a spinning rod rigged for that moment.
Who fishes them from this port
Charter operators who list blackfin tuna show what the local approach looks like.
Nauti Girl Sportfishing
Nauti Girl’s charter listing includes blackfin tuna. Captain Scott Wigal runs the 22 ft Sea Chaser center console named Nauti Girl. The tuna trip runs 30 to 70 miles to the EEZ, with best months May through October.
FAQ: blackfin tuna out of Sebastian Inlet
What are the best months for blackfin out of Sebastian Inlet?
Big Easy notes blackfin in February, March and November. Nauti Girl’s tuna trip lists May through October as its best months.
How far do boats run for blackfin?
Nauti Girl’s tuna trip runs 30 to 70 miles offshore to the EEZ, toward the Gulf Stream and temperature breaks.
What depth holds blackfin off Sebastian Inlet?
Big Easy’s February note cites 120 to 240 ft.
What do you troll for blackfin here?
Ballyhoo, deep-diving plugs, spreader bars and tuna feathers. Anglers use light-tackle spinning when fish feed on the surface.
Who runs tuna trips from Sebastian Inlet?
Nauti Girl Sportfishing, run by Captain Scott Wigal on a 22 ft Sea Chaser center console.
Where are the rules for fishing offshore of Sebastian Inlet?
Check FWC’s Florida rules and the federal Atlantic tunas rules before fishing, because the run reaches the EEZ.
