Selden, NY 12 Hour Tuna Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour offshore tuna fishing adventure in Selden, NYExpert guidance from D.C. Outdoor Adventures professional teamSmall group experience with maximum 6 guests capacity
If you've been dreaming about battling some of the ocean's most powerful fish, this 12-hour tuna fishing adventure out of Selden is exactly what you need. Captain D.C. and his crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on the fish of a lifetime. We're talking about serious offshore action here – the kind where your arms will be burning and your heart will be pounding as you fight fish that can weigh more than you do. This isn't your typical half-day trip; we're heading out to where the big boys live, and we're staying until we find them. With space for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work without bumping elbows, and the crew will be right there to coach you through every step of the fight.
This is a serious offshore mission that starts before dawn and doesn't quit until the sun's getting low. We're talking about a full commitment here – 12 hours of prime fishing time in some of the most productive tuna grounds off Long Island. The boat will be loaded with top-shelf gear, fresh bait, and everything you need to tangle with these ocean powerhouses. Captain D.C. has been working these waters for years, and he knows exactly where to find the schools when they're feeding. You'll be fishing in depths that can reach several hundred feet, where the water is that deep blue color that screams "big fish live here." The crew will handle all the technical stuff like reading the fish finder, setting up the spread, and getting the baits in the right spots. Your job is to be ready when that reel starts screaming. Fair warning though – tuna fishing is addictive, and once you feel that first big hit, you'll be planning your next trip before this one's even over.
We'll be running a full spread of trolling lures and rigged baits designed specifically for tuna. The boat carries heavy-duty conventional reels spooled with 50 to 80-pound test line, because these fish don't mess around. You'll be using outriggers to spread the baits wide and keep them in the clean water away from the boat's wake. The crew will set up a variety of lures – everything from cedar plugs and spoons to ballyhoo rigs and chunked bait. When we mark fish on the sounder or see birds working, we might switch to chunking or live bait fishing to really get them fired up. The key to tuna fishing is staying flexible and adjusting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain D.C. will teach you how to read the signs – the bird activity, water temperature breaks, and current edges where these fish love to hunt. You'll learn proper fighting techniques too, because a big tuna can take an hour or more to bring to the boat if you don't know what you're doing.
Bigeye Tuna are the night shift workers of the tuna world, often feeding in deeper water during daylight hours. These stocky fighters can push 200 pounds or more and are absolute bulldogs when hooked. They're most active during the cooler months from fall through spring, and they love to hang around underwater structure and temperature breaks. What makes bigeyes special is their incredible endurance – they'll make long, powerful runs that will test both your tackle and your stamina. The meat quality on these fish is outstanding, with that deep red color that sashimi lovers go crazy for.
Yellowfin Tuna are probably the most aggressive feeders you'll encounter out there. These speed demons can hit 60 pounds or more in our local waters and they fight like they're rocket-powered. Summer and early fall are prime time for yellowfins, especially when the water temperature is in that sweet spot between 68 and 75 degrees. They're schooling fish, so when you hook one, there's usually more around. Yellowfins are jumpers too – they'll come completely out of the water and put on a show that'll have everyone on the boat cheering. Their bright yellow fins and silver sides make them one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean.
Bluefin Tuna are the holy grail of offshore fishing around here. These are the giants that can exceed 400 pounds, and even the smaller "schoolies" in the 40 to 80-pound range will give you a fight you'll never forget. Bluefins are highly regulated, so we follow all the rules to the letter, but when you're legally hooked up to one, it's pure magic. They're most common in our waters during the spring and fall migrations, and they're incredibly smart fish that can be frustratingly picky about baits. The anticipation while waiting for a bluefin bite is half the fun – when it finally happens, your world gets turned upside down in the best possible way.
Albacore Tuna might be the smallest of the bunch, typically running 10 to 40 pounds in our area, but don't let their size fool you. These "long-finned tunas" are scrappy fighters with incredible stamina, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. Albies show up in good numbers during late summer and fall when the water conditions are just right. They're often the most cooperative of the tuna species, making them perfect for anglers who want to get their first taste of offshore tuna action. Their long pectoral fins are distinctive, and they're known for making blistering initial runs that will surprise you every time.
Look, there's a reason why Captain D.C.'s tuna trips are booked solid during the prime season – this is the real deal. You're not just buying a fishing trip; you're investing in memories that'll last a lifetime and stories you'll be telling for years. The 12-
Ready to battle some serious tuna off the Long Island coast? This fully-rigged fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a productive day on the water. The fish finder will help you locate schools while GPS and radar keep you on target even when conditions get tough. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and the Coast Guard. Between fights with these powerful fish, stretch out on the comfortable bed or grab a cold drink from the ice box. When nature calls, no need to hold it - there's an onboard head so you can stay focused on fishing. Captain and crew from D.C. Outdoor Adventures know exactly where to find the big ones and will have you rigged up with the right tackle and techniques. Whether you're after yellowfin, bluefin, or albacore, this boat gets you to the productive offshore waters where trophy tuna roam.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore might be the smaller cousins at 20-45 pounds, but they make up for size with numbers and fight. They're built like bullets with extra-long pectoral fins and travel in massive schools - sometimes 19 miles wide. These fish stay in constant motion and feed only during daylight hours. Best fishing is mid-summer when they follow baitfish into our cooler waters. What guests love is the action - when you find a school, it's often non-stop fishing. Plus, albacore is the only tuna that can be called "white meat" and tastes fantastic. Key tip: if you hook the lead fish in a school, work fast and keep multiple lines out. But if that first fish breaks off, move immediately - the whole school will follow it away.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the kings - massive, fast, and built like submarines. Average fish runs 200-400 pounds, but giants over 800 pounds cruise these waters. They're warm-blooded, so they handle our cooler spring and fall temperatures when other tunas head south. Peak season is May through October. What sets them apart is their raw power and that prized belly meat that sushi chefs pay top dollar for. They'll dive deep and make screaming runs that test your tackle and stamina. Best bite usually happens early morning or late evening. Here's my local secret: when chunking, use fresh herring and let your hook bait sink naturally without weight. Bluefin are smart and spook easily from anything that looks unnatural.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the speed demons out there - hitting 50 mph with their torpedo bodies and those signature bright yellow fins. Most fish we see run 40-80 pounds, though they can reach 400+. They cruise the upper 300 feet of warm water and are constantly on the move. Summer months bring the best action when water temps climb above 68°F. Guests love them because they fight hard with long runs and aerial displays, plus the meat is top-shelf sashimi quality. These fish travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. Pro tip: when nothing's taking your trolled spread, bring it in and start vertical jigging. Often they're sitting deeper than your lures are running.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye are the deep-water specialists of the tuna family, thanks to their huge eyes and unique blood chemistry that lets them hunt in low-oxygen zones down to 800+ feet. These powerful fish average 60-100 pounds but can push 400+ pounds. They're most active at dawn and dusk when they move up from the depths to feed. What makes them special is their incredibly rich, fatty meat - it's the most valuable tuna by weight worldwide. Best time is late spring through summer in our waters. My go-to trick is switching to darker lures like the Braid Bigeye Rocket when the light starts fading. Their big eyes pick up movement better in dim conditions, and that's when they really turn on.
Selden, NY