Blackfin tuna fishing out of Hatteras Village is an offshore fishery that peaks in fall, with some operators working fish into mid-January. This page covers when the fish are here, which structure to look at, how local boats fish it, and who targets blackfin from this harbor. Size, range and general tackle are in our blackfin tuna guide.
When blackfin tuna are off Hatteras Village
The fall peak is clear. Where it ends depends on which operator you ask: some put it at November, others carry it into January. The table sets their views side by side.
| Operator | Window | Rating or claim |
|---|---|---|
| Albatross Fleet | September through November | Excellent |
| Albatross Fleet | June through August | Good |
| Whatever Sport Fishing | Mid-to-late fall through mid-January | Best fishing |
For the wider pattern beyond this port, see the Atlantic Southeast blackfin picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
Fall, September through November
Albatross rates the season September through November as excellent and ties the largest fish to fall live-bait trips for king mackerel.
Summer, June through August
Albatross rates June through August as good.
Late fall into mid-January
Whatever Sport Fishing says the best fishing runs from mid-to-late fall through mid-January, which reaches past the Albatross window. Both are operator views.
Where boats run and the structure that holds fish
Boats run offshore. The named grounds are below, and each is a place to look rather than a guarantee of fish.
| Ground | Depth | Location note |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Pile | 180 ft | Rocky ridge south of Cape Point |
| Diamond Shoal Tower | – | About 13 miles off Cape Hatteras |
| AR-230 | 70 ft | – |
| Hatteras Inlet holes and rips | – | Near the southern tip of Hatteras Inlet |
The Rock Pile, 180 ft
The Rock Pile is a rocky ridge south of Cape Point in 180 ft, per FishingBooker’s Hatteras fishing guide. Cape Point is the reference for finding it.
Diamond Shoal Tower, about 13 miles off Cape Hatteras
Diamond Shoal Tower sits about 13 miles off Cape Hatteras.
AR-230 artificial reef, 70 ft
The AR-230 artificial reef sits in 70 ft.
Hatteras Inlet deep holes and rips
The deep holes and rips are near the southern tip of Hatteras Inlet.
How blackfin are fished from this port
Per Albatross, the fall live-bait trips that target king mackerel also produce the biggest blackfin. In winter the approach shifts to jigging, which extends the season Whatever Sport Fishing describes. Other tuna share these trips, and our tuna fishing guides cover them.
- Fall: king mackerel live bait
- Winter: vertical jigging on light-tackle trips
Live bait on fall king mackerel trips
Albatross ties the largest fish to these fall live-bait trips for king mackerel.
Vertical jigging on winter light tackle
Whatever Sport Fishing runs vertical jigging on winter light-tackle trips, which fits its mid-January window.
Who fishes for blackfin out of Hatteras Village
These local charters list blackfin tuna:
- Albatross Fleet
- Sea Dream Fishing Charters
- Whatever Sport Fishing
Albatross Fleet
Albatross Fleet runs three cedar boats.
Sea Dream Fishing Charters
Sea Dream lists blackfin tuna among its species. See Sea Dream’s species and seasons.
Whatever Sport Fishing
F/V Whatever is a 34 ft Carolina Express, per its own site.
FAQ: blackfin tuna fishing out of Hatteras Village
When is the best blackfin tuna fishing out of Hatteras Village?
Albatross rates September through November as excellent. Whatever Sport Fishing says the best fishing runs from mid-to-late fall through mid-January.
Where do boats go for blackfin from Hatteras?
Boats run offshore. The named structure is the Rock Pile, Diamond Shoal Tower, AR-230 and the Hatteras Inlet holes and rips.
What depth is the Rock Pile?
The Rock Pile is in 180 ft, on a rocky ridge south of Cape Point.
How do local boats fish for blackfin in winter?
Whatever Sport Fishing runs vertical jigging on winter light-tackle trips.
Which Hatteras charters target blackfin tuna?
Albatross Fleet, Sea Dream Fishing Charters and Whatever Sport Fishing list blackfin tuna.
