Bluefin Tuna Still Biting Off Outer Banks as First Yellowfin Arrive

Offshore fishing continued to deliver off the Outer Banks through March 21, with bluefin tuna still providing exciting action for anglers heading out with Fishin Fannatic. The timing matters: March is an excellent time to fish for tuna off the OBX, as yellowfin join the giant bluefin. That overlap is exactly what's playing out right now out of Oregon Inlet, Hatteras, and Cape Hatteras.

Over the past several weeks, reports noted strong catches of quality bluefin, with the bite remaining consistent as the season moves deeper into spring. The social footage circulating from East Coast Saltwater Living underscores just how serious these fish have been. A video posted March 8 racked up 55.2K views after CB ONE Pro Staff returned to the OBX to pop and jig for giant bluefin, described in the caption as "explosive strikes, brutal fights, and tuna that can push both man and gear to the absolute limit." A separate clip from the same day drew 27.9K views with a caption that said it all: a 100+ inch Outer Banks bluefin pushed an angler named Sal for nearly three hours aboard Moana Sportfishing before the fish ever considered seeing the boat.

Moana Sportfishing is based at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center in Nags Head, running a 55-foot Custom Carolina Sportfish captained by Captain Brad. Alongside Captain Brad is experienced mate Nick, and together they bring more than 25 years of combined experience navigating Outer Banks waters. Footage from their trips this season has been making the rounds, and the view counts confirm the offshore action is generating serious attention beyond the fishing community.

In addition to the steady bluefin action, the first yellowfin of the season began showing up offshore, a sign that spring fishing was shifting into high gear with the yellowfin bite expected to keep improving in the coming weeks. Yellowfin tuna can be caught off the Outer Banks year-round, but most are caught in March and April when ocean water starts to warm up. That warming-water transition is exactly what triggers this two-species window.

The seasonality aligns tightly with what local charter operators have tracked over multiple seasons. Country Girl Charters lists bluefin season as mid-January through late March, placing the current bite right at the tail end of the prime window. Their trip logs from April 11, 2025, are titled "Nice Yellowfin & a Few Bigeye Tuna," confirming that once bluefin begin to thin out, the yellowfin and bigeye take over through spring and early summer.

Anglers booking now can expect opportunities for bluefin, yellowfin, and other offshore species as water temperatures continue to rise. If you're planning an Outer Banks fishing charter, now is the time to get on the schedule. Prime spring dates are filling quickly, and fishing conditions are looking excellent for the weeks ahead. Fishin Fannatic, run out of Wanchese Marina and skippered by Captain Mark, takes full-day offshore trips departing at 5 a.m. Book online at fishinfannatic.com or call (252) 473-7092.

Those looking for a serious catch should book an offshore OBX charter, where anglers can look forward to a full day of adventure 30 to 40 miles offshore. Right now, with bluefin still in range and the first yellowfin already showing their faces, that ride out to the Point is about as good as it gets on the spring calendar.