Bluefin Tuna Fishing Charters in Virginia Beach, VA

Atlantic bluefin tuna arrive in Mid-Atlantic waters as water temperatures drop in late fall, typically showing up in fishable numbers by November. The peak window runs from December through February, when large concentrations of school bluefin and medium bluefin stage along the shelf edge and offshore lumps within range of Virginia Beach. Giant bluefin — fish over 73 inches — are also encountered during this window, making Virginia Beach one of the few places on the East Coast where you can realistically target a 300–600 lb fish on a day trip.

By March, most fish have begun their northward migration toward New England and Canadian waters, though late-season stragglers can offer opportunities into early spring depending on conditions. Water temperature and bait migration are the two biggest factors — Captain Tom monitors both closely and will give you an honest read on whether the fish are in range before you commit to a trip.

Bluefin tuna are among the most powerful fish in the ocean — a 100 lb fish can peel off 200 yards of line in seconds and fight for over an hour. Getting them to the boat requires the right technique, the right gear, and a captain who knows how to read the fish. At Kraken Charters, we run dedicated bluefin trips using methods proven on the Mid-Atlantic grounds. There are a few methods but we typically focus on the tried and true method of trolling:

Chunking: We anchor or drift over productive structure and deploy a chum slick of cut butterfish or mackerel to draw fish to the boat. Baits are fished at varying depths on heavy fluorocarbon leaders — when a bluefin picks up a bait, the result is explosive.

Jigging: When fish are actively feeding near the surface or on bait schools, vertical jigging with heavy metal jigs is devastatingly effective. This style demands physical stamina but produces some of the most exciting fishing of the year.

Trolling: On the run out or when covering ground looking for fish, we troll skirted lures and rigged natural baits. Trolling also produces incidental catches of wahoo and yellowfin during transition months.

All gear — heavy conventional rods, lever-drag reels, terminal tackle, and bait — is provided. We bring enough firepower for a serious bluefin encounter.