The picture above was taken aboard the Tuna Duck while bluefin fishing last winter. Giant bluefin tunas in their feeding frenzy, chasing bait fish, cause the desperate fish to gather into a tightly packed school in a futile attempt to save themselves. This phenomenon is known as"balling bait". Bluefin tuna are the ultimate catch and release heavy tackle test providing a spectacular show when striking baits. Since 1995 the TUNA DUCK has caught and released well over 500 bluefin tunas, tagging many of them to aid in research to find out more about these spectacular giants.
WHEN: We begin fishing for bluefins in November and continue through early to mid March. We are often asked about the "best" time to come bluefin fishing. Once the fleet locates the fish early in the season, any time is a good time!
We invite you to call us for further information on this truly exciting fishery! In addition to bluefins, at this time of year there are yellowfin tunas to be caught as well as king mackerel. Owner, Jerry Shepherd 772-219-9592
Captain Dan Rooks 252-995-3076
HOW: Because bluefins act differently every season, the techniques vary. The most standard procedure is trolling 2 to 4 lines with 80 lb. tackle until the school of fish is located. Often it is possible after a fish is hooked to stop the boat and chunk menheden to keep the school around the boat. Although this method produced tremendous numbers of fish in the middle to late 90's , over the last few seasons the majority of the fish caught have been caught trolling. We provide 130 lb. outfits because many of the fish are over the size limit that can be kept and we feel that heavier tackle gives them a better opportunity of survival after release. However, many of our customers prefer to bring their own lighter tackle.
SIZE: Bluefin tunas range in size from 100 to 700+ lbs.
LIMIT /SPECIAL REGULATIONS : Regulations allow us to retain 1 bluefin per boat per day if it is over 46 inches and under 73 inches. We do not emphasize this or "advertise" retaining a bluefin for two reasons. First, these regulations can change at the "drop of a hat" and second, we often do not see fish under 73 inches...often they are too large!
( The fish in the photo above was caught a few years ago for commercial sale. When a charter is on board, a fish this large cannot be boated.)
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The Crew ~ The Boat ~ The Guests' Gallery ~ Tees & Hats ~ Gift Certificates ~
Travel Info
Make - Up Trips ~ General Info ~ What's Biting? ~
Available Dates Calendar
The Crew ~ The Boat ~ The Guests' Gallery ~ Tees & Hats ~ Gift Certificates ~
Travel Info
Make - Up Trips ~ General Info ~ What's Biting? ~
Available Dates Calendar
Each of our targeted species has its own page with information on when it is most abundant here in Hatteras, how we fish for it, etc.:
bluefin tuna ~ yellowfin tuna ~ blue marlin ~ white marlin ~ sailfish ~ dolphin (mahi-mahi) ~ wahoo ~ king mackerel
bluefin tuna ~ yellowfin tuna ~ blue marlin ~ white marlin ~ sailfish ~ dolphin (mahi-mahi) ~ wahoo ~ king mackerel
Contact Us:
Capt. Jerry Shepherd
Tuna Duck Sportfishing
4217 SE Bayview St.
Stuart, FL 34997
Call 772-219-9592 to Book
Capt. Jerry Shepherd
Tuna Duck Sportfishing
4217 SE Bayview St.
Stuart, FL 34997
Call 772-219-9592 to Book
Fish with
Capt. Dan Rooks
PO Box 351
Hatteras, NC 27943
17 years experience
Offshore ~ Tournaments
Capt. Dan Rooks
PO Box 351
Hatteras, NC 27943
17 years experience
Offshore ~ Tournaments
50' Custom Charter Boat "TUNA DUCK"
Available for Charter: Hatteras, North Carolina
2008 Rates: $1470 per day; (Discount for cash $1400)
Available Dates Calendar for Tuna Duck
Your Experienced Saltwater Fishing Guides
Deep Sea ~ Offshore ~ Saltwater ~ Gulfstream Sportfishing Charters
Fishing Year 'Round
Leave at Dawn & return between 4 & 5 PM
Fishing from the Outer Banks
Off Cape Hatteras North Carolina
Aboard Charter Boat "Tuna Duck"
Located at Southern End of Hatteras Island in Hatteras Village
Fishing Out of Hatteras Inlet, between Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands
All tackle & bait furnished
~ 6 to 7 hours actual fishing time ~
1- 1 1/2 hours to the gulfstream
1 to 6 people, per Coast Guard regulations
Reservations are held the day of booking.
We then need a $500 deposit within one week to confirm the reservation.
Please make check out to Tuna Duck and send to:
Jerry Shepherd
4217 S.E Bayview St.
Stuart, FL 34997.
For a full refund of deposits,
trips can only be canceled at the discretion of the captain.
Parties MUST be at the dock the morning of the trip to receive the refund.
We regret that we must adhere to this policy,
but the weather in Hatteras is so fickle
that we often do not know in advance whether or not a day will be fishable.
Site design by Mary Shepherd