Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Freeport is an offshore and canyon game that peaks from August through October. This page covers the window, run distances, the named reefs close to the inlet, local methods, the boats that list yellowfin, and where the rules live. It is meant for deciding where and when to look, and it makes no promise of fish.
When yellowfin are off Freeport
Carolann P Fishing Charters puts the peak for giant bluefin and yellowfin at August through October, late summer and fall.
For the fish itself, see the yellowfin tuna species guide.
| Species | Peak window from Freeport |
|---|---|
| Yellowfin tuna | August through October |
| Giant bluefin | August through October |
How far boats run from Freeport
Freeport yellowfin trips are offshore and canyon trips, with runs listed at up to 30, up to 40 and over 40 miles. Those figures come from Sorry Charlie’s canyon menu and are kept in miles, as listed. The reef section below uses nautical miles because those sources do.
Where those runs end up is covered in the Northeast canyon picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide). Long runs depend on the wind, wave height and period numbers in the official marine forecast.
Canyon runs by distance
Sorry Charlie’s canyon menu lists these run brackets for yellowfin:
- Up to 30 miles
- Up to 40 miles
- Over 40 miles
24 and 36 hour tuna tile trips
The same menu lists 24 and 36 hour tuna tile trips, the longest formats offered from the port.
Grounds and structure near Freeport
The named reefs off Freeport sit 2.8 to 3.3 nautical miles off the beaches in 32 to 72 ft of water. Because yellowfin trips from this port are offshore and canyon trips, these reefs are close-in structure rather than yellowfin water.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Hempstead Reef (Hempstead Town Reef) | 50 to 72 | 3.3 nm south of Jones Beach State Park |
| Atlantic Beach Reef | 55 to 64 | 3.0 nm south of Atlantic Beach |
| Fran S (tug at Atlantic Beach Reef) | On Atlantic Beach Reef | |
| Fishing Line (McAllister Grounds) Reef | 50 to 53 | 2.8 nm south of Long Beach |
| Rockaway Reef | 32 to 40 | |
| Meadowbrook bridge (striper spot) |
Depths and positions can be checked against the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Hempstead Reef
Hempstead Reef, also called Hempstead Town Reef, lies in 50 to 72 ft, 3.3 nm south of Jones Beach State Park.
Atlantic Beach Reef and the Fran S
Atlantic Beach Reef sits in 55 to 64 ft, 3.0 nm south of Atlantic Beach. The Fran S is a tug on the reef.
Fishing Line (McAllister Grounds) Reef
Fishing Line (McAllister Grounds) Reef holds 50 to 53 ft, 2.8 nm south of Long Beach.
Rockaway Reef
Rockaway Reef sits in 32 to 40 ft.
Meadowbrook bridge
Meadowbrook bridge is a striper spot, listed here as an inshore landmark.
How yellowfin tuna fishing out of Freeport is done
Freeport boats troll and chunk for yellowfin, the two methods on Sorry Charlie’s canyon menu. Rigging and technique for both are covered in the trolling and chunking write-ups elsewhere on the site.
Trolling
Trolling is listed on the local canyon menu for yellowfin.
Chunking
Chunking is listed alongside it on the same menu.
Who fishes yellowfin out of Freeport
Two Freeport charter operations list yellowfin tuna: Freeport Charter Boats and Carolann P Fishing Charters. An owner-operator can ride along on one of these trips to see the run before spending fuel on their own.
Freeport Charter Boats
The fleet lists Sorry Charlie (35 ft custom), Freeport Gem and Beach Princess (pontoon). The run distances above come from Sorry Charlie’s canyon menu.
Carolann P Fishing Charters
Capt. Ray Pasieka runs the 31 ft Christine P for Carolann P Fishing Charters.
FAQ about yellowfin tuna fishing out of Freeport
When is yellowfin season out of Freeport?
Yellowfin peak from August through October, according to Carolann P, the same window it gives for giant bluefin, in late summer and fall.
How far do Freeport boats run for yellowfin?
Sorry Charlie’s canyon menu lists runs of up to 30, up to 40 and over 40 miles, plus 24 and 36 hour tuna tile trips. These are offshore and canyon trips, not inshore reef trips.
Do Freeport boats troll or chunk for yellowfin?
Both. Trolling and chunking are on the local canyon menu for yellowfin.
Which Freeport charters list yellowfin?
Freeport Charter Boats lists Sorry Charlie (35 ft custom), Freeport Gem and Beach Princess (pontoon). Carolann P Fishing Charters lists Capt. Ray Pasieka and the 31 ft Christine P.
Where are the rules for yellowfin out of Freeport?
They sit with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and NOAA Fisheries. Check both before you fish. This page states no figures.
