Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Hatteras Village runs year round, and the local fleet rates spring and late fall best. The fish work the Gulf Stream offshore, travel in schools, and are taken by trolling. What follows comes from what the charters working the port say about yellowfin tuna, organized for someone running a private boat: when, where, how and who.
When yellowfin tuna are off Hatteras Village
Yellowfin are caught year round out of the port, and the local charters name stronger windows within the year. The same captains also target other tunas, but the windows below apply to yellowfin.
What the local fleet rates best
Each rating below belongs to the charter that gives it.
| Charter | Stated window |
|---|---|
| Albatross Fleet | March, April, May, November, December |
| Hatteras Release | March to May, October to December (excellent) |
| Whatever Sport Fishing | Late March to early May |
All three name spring, March through May. Two of the three also name late fall.
Where boats run and the structure near the port
Boats run out through Hatteras Inlet and fish the Gulf Stream. Four named pieces of ground and structure sit near the village:
- Hatteras Inlet deep holes and rips: near the southern tip of the inlet.
- AR-230: an artificial reef in 70 ft.
- Diamond Shoal Tower: about 13 miles off Cape Hatteras.
- The Rock Pile: a rocky ridge south of Cape Point in about 180 ft, per FishingBooker.
The Gulf Stream run
Yellowfin here are fished in the Gulf Stream offshore, and the fish travel in schools. For the wider picture, see the regional guide to the Gulf Stream along the Southeast coast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
Hatteras Inlet holes and rips
Deep holes and rips lie near the southern tip of Hatteras Inlet. The run to the Gulf Stream starts at the inlet.
AR-230, Diamond Shoal Tower and the Rock Pile
AR-230 is an artificial reef in 70 ft, close to the port. Diamond Shoal Tower sits about 13 miles off Cape Hatteras. The Rock Pile is the rocky ridge south of Cape Point in about 180 ft.
Mark all three on Chart Contours before the run. The chart layers are not meant for navigation.
How yellowfin are fished out of Hatteras
Trolling is the method used locally. Boats put lines out and troll the Gulf Stream for yellowfin.
Schools and multiple hookups
Yellowfin here travel in schools, and Sea Dream Fishing Charters says this makes multiple hookups common.
Who fishes for yellowfin out of Hatteras Village
These local charters list yellowfin tuna:
- Albatross Fleet: a fleet of three cedar boats. Its catch calendar lists the species it fishes.
- Hatteras Release: Capt. Rom Whitaker aboard the 46 ft The Release. See its fishing seasons.
- Matador Charters: Capt. Jake Hiles aboard the Matador.
- Whatever Sport Fishing: F/V Whatever, a 34 ft Carolina Express.
- Sea Dream Fishing Charters: its species and seasons page covers the Hatteras fishery.
- Open Waters Sportfishing Charters: its species seasons page is the operator’s own.
The season windows for Albatross, Release and Whatever appear in the table above.
FAQ: Hatteras Village yellowfin
What are the best months for yellowfin tuna fishing out of Hatteras Village?
Albatross Fleet, Hatteras Release and Whatever Sport Fishing all name spring, March through May. Albatross and Hatteras Release also name late fall: November and December for Albatross, October to December for Hatteras Release.
Are yellowfin caught year round at Hatteras?
Yes. The local charters rate spring and late fall strongest.
Where do Hatteras boats fish for yellowfin?
In the Gulf Stream offshore. Named structure near the village includes AR-230 (70 ft), the Hatteras Inlet holes and rips, Diamond Shoal Tower (about 13 miles off Cape Hatteras) and the Rock Pile (180 ft, south of Cape Point).
How are yellowfin caught locally?
By trolling. Sea Dream Fishing Charters says schools make multiple hookups common.
Which Hatteras charters target yellowfin?
Albatross Fleet, Hatteras Release, Matador Charters, Whatever Sport Fishing, Sea Dream Fishing Charters and Open Waters Sportfishing Charters.
