Blackfin tuna fishing out of Stuart centers on Pushbutton Hill, offshore of St. Lucie Inlet in about 110 ft of water, and the operator calendar lists October to December as the window. This page covers when the fish are around, where boats run, how the morning is fished and which charters list blackfin. It is written for someone running their own boat and is meant to help you decide where to look, not to promise fish. For blackfin biology and general tactics, see our blackfin tuna guide.
When blackfin are around Stuart
The operator calendar lists October to December for blackfin out of Stuart. Treat that window as a guide to where to look, since fish are not guaranteed on the grounds. The wider coastal pattern is in our Atlantic Southeast blackfin guide (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide).
Where boats run: Pushbutton Hill and nearby structure
Every run from Stuart starts at St. Lucie Inlet. Inlet, ramp and marina detail is on the Stuart port page.
The US Harbors page names NOAA tide station 8722207 as the St. Lucie tide source. Check the official marine forecast for wind and seas before you run. Chart Contours shows where the bottom drops to 110 ft, but chart layers are not for navigation.
| Ground | Depth | Location note |
|---|---|---|
| Pushbutton Hill (the Hill) | about 110 ft | Offshore of St. Lucie Inlet |
| Sandpile reef | Nearshore reef | |
| Six Mile reef | 80 ft | Named for 6 miles |
| Eight Mile reef | 80 ft | Named for 8 miles |
| Loran Tower (Hobe Sound) | 80 ft | Off the Loran tower in Hobe Sound |
| The Rankin (USS Rankin wreck) | ||
| Boo McCulley Reef (Borocho) | 180 ft | 9 miles offshore of St. Lucie Inlet |
| Brause Girls Reef (Penobscot tug) | 200 ft | 9 to 10 miles offshore, reached from Stuart |
Pushbutton Hill
Pushbutton Hill, offshore of St. Lucie Inlet, is the main blackfin ground in local reports and is fished in about 110 ft. Locals call it the Hill. On a fall morning, it is the first place to put a spread out.
The 80 ft reefs
Six Mile reef, Eight Mile reef and the Loran Tower in Hobe Sound all sit in 80 ft, shallower than the Hill. Six Mile and Eight Mile are named for the run out, while the Loran Tower mark is off the tower itself.
Deeper wreck reefs
Boo McCulley Reef, also called Borocho, sits in 180 ft, 9 miles offshore of St. Lucie Inlet. Brause Girls Reef, the Penobscot tug, sits in 200 ft, 9 to 10 miles offshore, and is reached from Stuart.
Nearshore and other structure
Sandpile reef is the nearshore reef on this list. The Rankin, the USS Rankin wreck, is also reached from Stuart.
How blackfin are fished out of Stuart
The local pattern is early morning trolling, then jigging as the fish drop. Most boats cover ground first and switch to vertical presentations once fish are located, working the 110 ft depth on the Hill.
Morning trolling
Troll feathers or squid chains at first light to find fish, covering water until you hit a school.
Jigging as fish drop
When the fish go down, switch to jigs and drop them through the depth where the school is holding.
Live baits and chum
Live baits are fished drifted or under a kite. Some boats chum pilchards up to the surface. Both are options alongside the troll-and-jig pattern.
Poppers
Poppers work on the surface when fish come up. Keep one rigged for when a school shows.
Who fishes for blackfin out of Stuart
These local charters list blackfin tuna:
- Hate 2 Lose Fishing Charters
- DNT Charters, 57-foot sportfishing yacht
- Stuart Big Game Fishing, 61-foot custom sportfisher Unbelievable
- Captain VJ Bell
- Catch Of The Day Charters, Ocean Yachts 37-foot Billfish
FAQ: blackfin tuna out of Stuart
When is blackfin season out of Stuart?
The operator calendar lists October to December for blackfin tuna fishing out of Stuart. That window shows where to look, and it does not guarantee fish on any given day.
What depth do blackfin hold on Pushbutton Hill?
About 110 ft on the Hill, offshore of St. Lucie Inlet. Local reports name it as the main blackfin ground out of Stuart.
Which reefs are within 10 miles of St. Lucie Inlet?
Boo McCulley Reef (Borocho) sits in 180 ft, 9 miles out. Brause Girls Reef (Penobscot tug) sits in 200 ft, 9 to 10 miles out. Six Mile and Eight Mile reefs sit in 80 ft.
What tide station covers St. Lucie Inlet?
The US Harbors page names NOAA tide station 8722207 as the St. Lucie tide source. For wind and seas, check the official marine forecast before you run.
Which charters list blackfin out of Stuart?
Five operators list blackfin tuna: Hate 2 Lose Fishing Charters, DNT Charters, Stuart Big Game Fishing, Captain VJ Bell and Catch Of The Day Charters.
Where are guides for other tunas?
Our tuna fishing guides cover the other tunas.
