Selden, NY 8 Hour Tuna Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Early 4am departure targets prime tuna fishing hours offshoreAllinclusive package provides gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaningSmall 6person group targets Yellowfin, Bluefin, and Bigeye Tuna
When serious anglers talk about world-class tuna fishing on Long Island, they're talking about what D.C. Outdoor Adventures delivers every single day. This 8-hour offshore adventure puts you right in the middle of some of the most productive tuna waters on the East Coast. We're talking about a 4 AM departure that gets you to the fish before the crowds, targeting trophy Yellowfin, Bluefin, Albacore, and Bigeye Tuna that make these waters legendary. Your captain knows exactly where these fish are staging, and with all gear, bait, licenses, and cleaning included, you just need to show up ready to battle some of the ocean's most powerful predators.
This isn't your typical half-day trip - we're talking about a full commitment to finding and catching tuna. The early start might seem brutal, but trust me, it's worth every lost minute of sleep. By the time other boats are leaving the dock, you'll already be setting up on productive water where these fish feed most aggressively. The boat heads out into the deeper waters off Selden where the continental shelf drops off and the big pelagics cruise. You'll be fishing with a tight crew of just 6 anglers maximum, which means more room at the rail and better shots at the fish. The captain runs a clean operation with top-notch tackle and fresh bait that these tuna can't resist. Expect to cover serious ground as we move between temperature breaks, weed lines, and structure where these fish concentrate.
We're primarily trolling for these tuna, running a spread of high-speed lures and rigged baits that cover different depths and speeds. The boat carries heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound test, paired with rods built to handle the sustained runs these fish are famous for. Cedar plugs, spreader bars, and daisy chains make up the primary spread, with everything rigged on circle hooks for better hookup ratios. When we mark fish or find feeding activity, we'll switch to chunking or live bait fishing to really get them fired up. The crew handles all the rigging and bait prep, but they'll walk you through proper fighting techniques and how to work these fish to the boat. Don't worry if you've never tangled with tuna before - the crew knows how to coach you through the fight and get you connected to fish of a lifetime.
The Yellowfin Tuna out here are absolutely incredible fighters that average 30-60 pounds, with fish over 100 pounds caught regularly during peak season from June through October. These fish are pure muscle and attitude, known for their blistering initial runs that can strip 200 yards of line in seconds. What makes Yellowfin special is their stamina - they'll fight you in circles, dive deep, then come up and run again just when you think you've got them beaten. The meat is absolutely premium, with that deep red color and clean taste that makes sashimi-grade fish so valuable. Bluefin Tuna are the holy grail out here, with fish ranging from 40-pound schoolies up to giants over 200 pounds. These fish are incredibly smart and can be finicky about what they'll eat, but when you hook one, you're in for the fight of your life. Bluefin have this unique ability to generate heat and maintain higher body temperatures, which gives them explosive power and endurance that has to be experienced to be believed. Albacore Tuna might be smaller at 15-30 pounds, but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean. They show up in good numbers during late summer and fall, often in schools that provide non-stop action once you locate them. Their light-colored meat is perfect for grilling and has a milder flavor that appeals to everyone. Bigeye Tuna are the deep-water specialists that feed primarily at night and early morning, which is why our early departure is so crucial. These fish average 50-150 pounds and are known for their incredibly large eyes that help them hunt in low-light conditions.
This trip represents everything that makes offshore tuna fishing so addictive - the early morning anticipation, the long runs to productive water, and the heart-stopping moment when one of these fish crushes your bait. With only 6 spots available and all the gear provided, this is as turnkey as serious tuna fishing gets. The captain's local knowledge of seasonal patterns, water temperatures, and structure puts you on fish that other boats are still searching for. Whether you're looking to check tuna off your bucket list or you're a seasoned angler chasing your personal best, this 8-hour commitment gives you the best shot at connecting with trophy fish. D.C. Outdoor Adventures has built their reputation on putting clients on quality tuna, and this trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for. Don't wait - peak tuna season books up fast, and the best fishing happens when you least expect it.
Ready to chase some serious tuna off Long Island? This well-equipped motorboat gets you to the productive offshore grounds where Yellowfin, Bluefin, Albacore, and Bigeye cruise the deep waters. With fish finder tech to mark schools and GPS to navigate the best spots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water. The radar keeps you safe when morning fog rolls in during those pre-dawn departures. VHF radio maintains contact with other boats sharing intel on hot bite locations. Between fishing sessions, grab some rest on the onboard bed or use the head when nature calls. The ice box keeps your catch fresh for the ride back to dock. Perfect for up to 6 anglers looking to battle some of the Atlantic's hardest fighting fish.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of our tuna fishing - bright yellow fins and that classic torpedo shape make them easy to spot. Most run 60-80 pounds, though we see some pushing 200+ on good days. They cruise the upper 100 feet of water and hit 50 mph when they want to. What guests love is the pure fight - these fish run hard and jump. The meat is top-notch too, perfect for sushi or grilling. They're here year-round but summer brings the best action. Dawn trolling with rigged ballyhoo or cedar plugs works great, but nothing beats watching one smash a surface popper. When you mark fish deep but they won't bite on the troll, switch to jigging. Here's a tip: if the first fish gets away, stick around - yellowfin travel in schools.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore are the smaller cousins in our tuna lineup, usually running 20-45 pounds with those distinctive long pectoral fins. They're built for speed and never stop moving - literally can't rest due to how they breathe. What's great about them is they school up in massive groups, sometimes stretching for miles. The meat is special too - it's the only tuna that can legally be called "white meat tuna" in the stores. They stay in deeper, cooler water and feed during daylight hours. Spring through fall is prime time when they're moving through our area. Trolling works best since they cover so much ground. Here's the key: when you hook the first fish, work fast - land it quick and get lines back out because the whole school is usually right there with it.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail - massive, powerful fish that can hit 12 feet and 1,000+ pounds, though most we catch run 100-400 pounds. They're built like torpedoes and fight like freight trains, making blistering runs and deep dives that'll test your gear. What sets them apart is they're warm-blooded, so they handle our cooler waters just fine. The meat is legendary - pure butter when it comes to sushi. Spring through fall gives us the best shots at them. They bite best at dawn and dusk, often hanging around structure and deep feeding areas. Trolling finds them, but chunking keeps them around. Pro tip: when you hook one, tighten that drag gradually - they'll make multiple screaming runs, and that first one can spool you if you're not ready.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye are the deep-water specialists of the tuna family, with those huge eyes built for hunting in darker waters down to 800+ feet. They average 60-150 pounds but can push over 400. What makes them special is their ability to dive deep where other tunas can't go, feeding on squid and deepwater fish. The meat is incredibly fatty and prized - some of the best tuna you'll eat. They're most active at dawn and dusk when they move up from the depths. Best bite happens just before dark or right at sunrise. Pro tip: when you hook one, expect long powerful runs to deep water. Use dark-colored lures in the 8-10 inch range and fish them on the short riggers. The key is being patient during those twilight periods when they're feeding.
Selden, NY