Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Ponce Inlet runs March through June, with April the top month. Boats head for offshore Gulf Stream water, and the Party Grounds sit about 35 miles out. The grounds below run from the inlet outward, so you can pick a run.
When yellowfin are off Ponce Inlet
FishAnywhere’s Ponce Inlet calendar lists yellowfin from March, calls them a top target in April, and describes fast action. March opens the window and June closes it. For general behavior of the species, see the yellowfin tuna fishing guide.
The spring window, by month:
- March: the first yellowfin appear on the calendar.
- April: the top month.
- June: the end of the listed window.
The run offshore
Boats run from the inlet to offshore Gulf Stream water. For how the Gulf Stream sets up along this coast, see the Atlantic Southeast picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
FishingBooker’s Ponce Inlet guide puts the Party Grounds about 35 miles out, in 80 ft of water, and the Rolldown about 40 to 55 miles offshore. Rare Breed’s offshore trip is a 12-hour run, which gives a sense of how long the day takes from this port.
The Volusia reef sites lie along the way out. Treat them as reference points on the run rather than places to expect tuna. Check the official marine forecast before you go.
| Run | Distance | What it means for your day |
|---|---|---|
| Party Grounds | About 35 miles | The shorter of the two named runs |
| Rolldown | About 40 to 55 miles | The longer run |
| Rare Breed offshore trip | 12 hours | A full day from the inlet |
Grounds and structure
The grounds run from the inlet outward.
| Ground | Distance/position | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Ponce Inlet jetty (Lighthouse Point Park) | At the inlet, 1,000 ft jetty | Not listed |
| Volusia Artificial Reef Site 1 (Argoil barge and culverts) | 10.8 nm from the inlet | 60 to 80 ft |
| Volusia Artificial Reef Site 2 (Semarca and culverts) | About 12.5 nm from the Bell Buoy at 067 degrees | 75 ft |
| Cracker Ridge | A few miles west of the Party Grounds, near Volusia Site 2 | Not listed |
| Mango Hole | On the way out to the Party Grounds | Not listed |
| Party Grounds | About 35 miles offshore | 80 ft |
| East Ridge | Named as a trolling ground alongside the Party Grounds | Not listed |
| Rolldown | About 40 to 55 miles offshore | Not listed |
Ponce Inlet jetty and Lighthouse Point Park
The jetty is a 1,000 ft structure inside Lighthouse Point Park at the inlet. It serves as a departure landmark and is not a yellowfin spot.
Volusia Reef Sites 1 and 2
Site 1 is the Argoil barge and culverts, 10.8 nm from the inlet in 60 to 80 ft. Site 2 is the Semarca and culverts, in 75 ft, about 12.5 nm from the Bell Buoy at 067 degrees. Both are reference points on the run.
Cracker Ridge and the Mango Hole
Cracker Ridge sits a few miles west of the Party Grounds, near Volusia Site 2, which links the nearshore half of the run to the offshore half. The Mango Hole lies on the way out to the Party Grounds, per FishingBooker.
Party Grounds vs. the Rolldown
The choice between these two sets the shape of the day:
- Party Grounds: about 35 miles, 80 ft.
- Rolldown: about 40 to 55 miles.
The Rolldown is the longer run, and that difference decides where you look first.
East Ridge
East Ridge is named as a trolling ground alongside the Party Grounds.
How they’re fished and who fishes them
Offshore trolling
Yellowfin here are an offshore-trip fish. East Ridge is named as a trolling ground alongside the Party Grounds, and FishAnywhere’s calendar describes fast action. Spreads and baits are covered in the species guide.
Local charters
Rare Breed Charters lists yellowfin tuna on its offshore trips. The boat is a 31 ft Cape Horn that takes up to 6 passengers, and the trip page names Captain Daniel. The offshore trip is a 12-hour run. If you want to see the grounds before running your own boat, this is the Ponce Inlet tuna charter that lists yellowfin.
FAQ: yellowfin tuna out of Ponce Inlet
When is the best month for yellowfin off Ponce Inlet?
April. FishAnywhere lists yellowfin from March and calls them a top target in April. The window runs March through June.
How far is the Party Grounds from Ponce Inlet?
About 35 miles offshore, per FishingBooker, in 80 ft of water.
Should I run to the Party Grounds or the Rolldown?
The Party Grounds are about 35 miles out, in 80 ft. The Rolldown is about 40 to 55 miles offshore. Because the Rolldown is the longer run, the choice comes down to how much of your day you want to spend getting there.
Where is the Mango Hole?
It lies on the way out to the Party Grounds, per FishingBooker. Cracker Ridge sits a few miles west of the Party Grounds, near Volusia Site 2.
How long does an offshore yellowfin trip from Ponce Inlet take?
Rare Breed’s offshore trip is a 12-hour run on a 31 ft Cape Horn.
Is Ponce Inlet a good port for other tunas?
Our tuna fishing guides cover tunas port by port.
