Where are Blackfin Tuna typically found near Tampa?

Blackfin Tuna are pelagic and found over deep-water oil rigs, shipwrecks, and along the continental shelf edge, typically in depths exceeding 100 feet in the Gulf of America.

What is the best technique for catching Blackfin Tuna?

The most successful technique is chumming with ground bait to draw the school up, followed by free-lining small live baits (Spanish Sardines or Threadfin Herring) into the chum slick using light fluorocarbon leaders.

Why do Blackfin Tuna fight so hard?

Despite their smaller size compared to other tuna, Blackfin are incredibly stubborn. Their fight is characterized by strong, deep, circular runs that put sustained pressure on the angler and require smooth, high-quality drag systems.

Popular Offshore Fish Species In Tampa: Mastering the Gulf of America

While Tampa Bay is celebrated as Florida’s largest estuary, the true giants of the sea lurk just beyond its passes in the deep, rich waters of the Gulf of America. Our Tampa Offshore Fishing Charters target the legendary fishing grounds—from nearshore reefs and deep-water wrecks to the continental shelf—where the ecosystem shifts entirely to trophy-class species.

In these offshore zones, you trade the shallow grass flats and mangrove islands for deep channels, rock piles, and structures that hold a wealth of pelagic and reef predators.

Below, we will talk about the Big Four most sought-after offshore species that drive the ultimate Tampa deep sea fishing experience: Gag Grouper, Red Snapper, Kingfish, and Blackfin Tuna!

This diverse fishery offers a massive array of targets, including: Red Grouper, Amberjack, Hogfish, Grunt, Cobia, Mangrove Snapper, Scamp Grouper, and various other hard-fighting shark and snapper species.

Gag Grouper

Gag Grouper are the brawlers of the reef and a top prize for any Tampa deep sea fishing trip. Known for their sheer power, the fight is characterized by an immediate, explosive dash back into the rocks (the “rock the boat” move). They challenge the angler’s gear and strength in the first few seconds of the hookup. Gags provide superb, mild white fillets and are a highly sought-after trophy on our offshore charters in the Gulf of America

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Red Snapper

The Red Snapper is the iconic target of the Gulf of America, highly prized for its beautiful color and widely considered the finest-eating fish in the sea. Found over deep wrecks and natural hard bottom far offshore, targeting them requires precision bottom fishing. The limited seasonal window makes a successful Red Snapper trip the ultimate achievement for any offshore angler.

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Kingfish

The Kingfish (King Mackerel) is the silver speedster of the sea. A pelagic predator, it is famous for its screaming runs and initial explosive strike, capable of peeling hundreds of yards of line off a reel in seconds. We target them by high-speed trolling or slow-trolling live baits near bait schools and structure. Catching a large “smoker” Kingfish is a high-octane experience that defines offshore action

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Blackfin Tuna

The Blackfin Tuna is a fast, powerful fighter and one of the most accessible tuna species in the Gulf. We encounter them over deeper reefs, wrecks, or simply cruising the blue water offshore. They are known for their hard, stubborn fight and short, powerful bursts of speed. Blackfin are a phenomenal catch for both their thrilling battle and their excellent, sushi-grade meat, making them a high-value target on our extended offshore trips.

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