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Skipjack Tuna Fishing Charters

Check real-time availability on 40 skipjack tuna fishing trips. Online booking | 4.42 / 5 stars | Guides from $565

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Recently Booked Skipjack Tuna Fishing Charters

Fishing in Key West

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West

Key West Mixed Bag Trip

100% (3)
43 ft 1 - 6 People From $935
Fishing in Kailua-Kona

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Kailua-Kona

Kona Big Game Fishing - 31’ Bertram

60% (5)
31 ft 1 - 4 People From $770
Fishing in Freeport

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Freeport

50-Miler Trip

67% (3)
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,815
Fishing in Lantana

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Lantana

Big Boat Mixed Bag

75% (4)
52 ft 1 - 10 People From $1,320
Damn Good
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Riviera Beach

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Riviera Beach

28’ Contender Center Console

100% (1)
28 ft 1 - 5 People From $605
Damn Good
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Miami Beach

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Miami Beach

Full Day Off Shore Deep Sea Fishing

100% (1)
45 ft 1 - 6 People From $935

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond to provide you an incredible trip, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

More Skipjack Tuna Fishing Charters

Fishing in Corpus Christi
Fishing in Corpus Christi
Fishing in Corpus Christi
trip description for Texas Gulf Coast Fishing in Corpus Christi

Captain Mike goal is to provide the ultimate Gulf Coast experience from Corpus Christi, Texas. Captain Mike is a USCG-approved master mariner who’ll take you nearshore as well as offshore to help you land a big catch and have a great day on the water. Come aboard his powerful boat and have a comfortable and fun fishing trip in Texas! Your boat’s a 45’ Sea Ray motor yacht with all the necessities needed for those long stays on the water. It can sit up to 6 guests and runs on a twin 350 HP Caterpillar 3116 engine. For navigation, it uses Raymarine GPS, fishfinder, radio, as well as a high definition 50 nm radar. The boat is also air-conditioned and features a TV, Bluetooth system, refrigerator, and an ice-box. You’ll go after Blackfin Tuna, Jack Crevalle, Mahi Mahi, Blacktip Shark, Red Snapper, and many more prized species. The techniques for catching them include bottom fishing, deep sea fishing, and trolling, all on heavy tackle. You’re welcome to bring kids on your trip and you can keep all the fish you catch if you want to. Captain Mike will meet you at the dock fully loaded with all the gear (rods, reels, tackle, bait, and comfortable seating) you will possibly need for a successful day out on the water. All you need to bring are your favorite snacks and drinks, your sun protection, and your Texas fishing license, Captain Mike will take care of the rest! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Corpus Christi

Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

NEW
45 ft 1 - 6 People From $2,420
Fishing in Islamorada
Fishing in Islamorada
Fishing in Islamorada
trip description for Morning Half in Islamorada

4 Hour 1/2 day trip for up to 6 people departs at 0630. You will be going out on a spacious 44' Express Marlago Jefferson Yacht. Twin 450 HP 3208 Caterpillar engines. Vessel is equipped with all the electronics needed. GPS, Sonar, Radar, VHF and more. You will be using top of the line tackle, rods and reels, Vessel is equipped with fighting chair, 2 large live wells, Outriggers, Center rigger, Downrigger and many other specific tools that we use to target all the different species that roam these Florida Keys waters. Summertime - we will generally fish on the reef for various Snappers such as Yellowtail, Mutton, Mangrove and some others. More than often we will take some time to troll and target Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, Mahi and a few others when they are close enough to go after in the allotted time. Wintertime - we again stay close to the reef but target species such as Sailfish, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna King Mackerel, and again can target the many Snapper species that thrive here. All you need to bring is whatever you would like to eat and drink and we have everything else ready for you to come aboard and enjoy a great day and create some unforgettable memories Please remember to thank your mate with a 20% tip. Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Islamorada

Morning Half

100% (2)
44 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,100
Fishing in Loreto
Fishing in Loreto
Fishing in Loreto
trip description for Full Day Fishing Trip in Loreto

Head out with Captain Louis for an awesome day of chasing big game fish in the gulf of California! On this 7-hour trip, Captain Louis will take you along the Baja coast to go after some exciting species such as Bonito, Mahi Mahi, Blue Marlin, Roosterfish, Skipjack Tuna, Wahoo, and Yellowtail Amberjack. You'll be targeting these fish using methods such as light tackle, heavy tackle, bottom fishing, trolling and jigging! Whether you want to hold a rod and feel every bite or lounge and wait for a reel to start screaming, Captain Louis will have you covered! You’ll be fishing aboard a 25' sportfisher that can hold up to 4 guests. This zippy vessel will get you where you need to be with time to spare. Captain Louis will provide all rods, reels, tackle, your license and have some burritos and drinks. All we recommend bringing is sunscreen, a hat, polarized sunglasses and any other food or drinks you might want on the water. Book your trip with Captain Louis and find out what the beautiful Baja waters have to offer! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Loreto

Full Day Fishing Trip

100% (1)
25 ft 1 - 4 People From $297
Fishing in Puerto Vallarta
Fishing in Puerto Vallarta
Fishing in Puerto Vallarta
trip description for Bay Fishing Puerto Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta

It’s a fast easy trip in the bay for anglers that’s are wanting to do other activities in Puerto Vallarta but want to experience fishing. All year long the bay fishing remains consistent and always promises to be a super fun drag-ripping trip! You will be aboard the Calypso II, a 28’ center console boat built by the Captain. It’s powered by twin 115 HP Yamaha engines and is equipped with navigational electronics, so it’ll put you on the fish in no time. The boat can accommodate up to 4 anglers, and there’s a toilet on board for your convenience. The crew will provide you with all the fishing equipment, and you’ll fish using live bait. There’s a fighting chair on board so you can reel in some of those monsters. The crew will be happy to clean and fillet your catch after the trip, so you can take it home for a taste, or to fill the freezer. You will be able to choose among a great variety of trips, depending on where you want to go, and how much time you have. Each trip can be customized to suit any angler’s needs. There’s a lot of beautiful places you can explore here, so feel free to take a look and find the trip that speaks to you most. A day out with Capt. Ariel will see you sailing to a remote beach, having a delicious lunch on the beach, and, of course, targeting the fish of your dreams! Among your targeted species will be Wahoo, Tuna, Snook, Snapper, Sailfish, Marlin, Roosterfish, King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Jack Crevalle, and Amberjack. Read More

Flats, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Puerto Vallarta

Bay Fishing Puerto Vallarta

100% (1)
1 - 6 People From $440
Damn Good
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Key West
Fishing in Key West
Fishing in Key West
trip description for Sportfishing Key West in Key West

If you’re looking for some of the best charter fishing that money can buy out of Key West, Florida, you can’t go wrong here. With over 3 decades of local fishing experience under his belt, Captain Russ is your man if you want to get the best out of these deep blue waters. Our boat is a 50’ Hatteras saltwater fishing boat that can take up to 6 anglers deep sea fishing at the same time. Powered by twin 550 HP Detroit Diesel‎ engines, this fishing machine is unstoppable on the water. The vessel comes rigged with state-of-the-art navigational electronics and safety equipment, outriggers, a fighting chair, a live bait tank, and ice-boxes. It’s also very comfortable and features 2 private restrooms, a kitchen, a flybridge, beds, and AC. This beauty can take you for some amazing deep sea and reef fishing up to 25 miles offshore on full day trips. These trips will also provide higher chances of catching Marlin! If you book a half day trip, you’ll be fishing in a 2–12 mile range. Depending on the package and the bite, your target list will include Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin, Snapper, Grouper, and many other attractive species. Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Key West

Sportfishing Key West

NEW
50 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,045
Fishing in Islamorada
Fishing in Islamorada
Fishing in Islamorada
trip description for Blue Water Fishing in Islamorada

Islamorada, located in the heart of the Florida Keys, is a year-round fishing hotspot that offers exceptional fishing experiences no matter the time of year. On this trip, you'll head out with Captain Tony to catch all kinds of nearshore reef species. This trip welcomes anglers of all ages and skill levels, with a family-friendly atmosphere that's great for first-timers! Once you go aboard Captain Tony's 36' catamaran, you'll head to the reefs and wrecks to chase down some fish! Offshore pelagic spearfishing is the apex of hunting in the Florida Keys! Islamorada is blessed with a changing year-round fishery. Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna are only a few of the many species you can target. These charters are for experienced hunters looking for the fish of a lifetime! Bluewater spearfishing equipment and a professional in-water guide is included. Pelagic fish can be difficult to hunt, they are always on the move and it takes years of experience to find them. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities, this is part of the thrill when hunting these fish. Bluewater spearfishing is our specialty, this is what we live for! Nothing beats the feeling of seeing you land your first Wahoo or your largest Mahi Mahi! Don't worry about a thing when you're out on the water—Captain Tony has got you covered. All you need to bring are your favorite snacks and drinks, and maybe a sandwich from the Trading Post! Captain Tony will take care of the rest. Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Islamorada

Blue Water Fishing

100% (2)
42 ft 1 - 4 People From $1,210
See All Skipjack Tuna Trips

Everything to Know About Booking a skipjack tuna fishing charter

What are the best skipjack tuna fishing charters?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 40 skipjack tuna trips, and the most popular trips are Kona Big Game Fishing - 31’ Bertram guided by Dale, Key West Mixed Bag Trip guided by Brad, and 50-Miler Trip guided by Mike.

Our guides are rated a 4.42 out of 5 based on 2641 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly skipjack tuna guides / fishing lessons? Check out our beginner and family friendly skipjack tuna guides.

What types of skipjack tuna fishing charters are common?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular for skipjack tuna as well as nearshore fishing, inshore fishing, and flats fishing.

The most common fishing techniques are trolling, heavy tackle fishing, and bottom fishing but live bait fishing and artificial lure fishing are popular as well.

How much do skipjack tuna fishing charters cost?

for skipjack tuna prices can range anywhere from about $565 to $2,355, but the average price for a half day trip for skipjack tuna is $941. The average price for a full day trip for skipjack tuna is $1,579.

What month is best for skipjack tuna fishing?

The most popular season for skipjack tuna fishing is spring, and most anglers book their trips 10 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for skipjack tuna and what are the bag limits for skipjack tuna?

See here for more information on skipjack tuna fishing licenses, skipjack tuna bag limits, and fishing season regulations for skipjack tuna. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right skipjack tuna rules and regulations.

What is a Skipjack Tuna?

The skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is a member of the tuna (Thunnus) tribe, one of the four tribes in the Scombridae family, which it shares with mackerels, spanish mackerels, and bonitos. You may have heard it colloquially referred to as the balaya, cakalang, arctic bonito, mushmouth, oceanic bonito, striped tuna, or victor fish.

With a torpedo-shaped body made for fast swimming, and a strong sense of smell, they are excellent hunters. Their back is a dark purple or blue, that fades into silver on their sides and bellies which helps with camouflage. There are also four to six stripes on their sides.

They are fished for both commercially and recreationally. In fact, they are so popular for commercial fishing that if you’ve ever had canned tuna, it was probably skipjack.

How big do Skipjack Tuna get?

There is much conflicting information on the size of skipjack tuna, as they are so commonly confused with little tunny, bonito, and more. So lets set the record straight here: the average length of a skipjack tuna is 32 inches, and weighs about to seven to 22 pounds. They are one of the smaller tuna species.

What's the biggest Skipjack Tuna ever caught?

The all-tackle world record skipjack tuna was caught by Joeri Van Laken in La Gomera, Spain. On November 15th, 2020, Van Laken boated this 46 pound, 5 ounce monster.

Where is the best place to catch Skipjack Tuna?

Skipjack tuna are spread throughout tropical and temperate waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. They are a pelagic species, meaning they prefer to be in the open seas in the upper sections of the water column.

When should I catch Skipjack Tuna?

Skipjack tuna spawn year round, which means that they can typically be caught year round, especially in more tropical zones where the water is consistently warmer and prime for spawning. However, as you get towards more into temperate waters, the best season will be in between May and August when the waters are the warmest.

How do you catch Skipjack Tuna?

To begin, look for areas of surface irritation or sea birds, which will help you to identify where to start fishing. Skipjacks are a schooling fish, which means that trolling is the best method to catch them. For bait, live or strip baits, feathers, plugs, and spoons will all work great.

Skipjack are easily startled, which means they key to fishing them is to circle the boat around the school and let the bait drift through them. Once hooked, be ready for the fight!

Are Skipjack Tuna good to eat? What are the best Skipjack Tuna recipes?

Skipjack tuna is a very commonly eaten fish, being one of the most popular tuna served canned worldwide. They have a meaty, bright red flesh that has a mildly fishy flavor. It can be prepared and eaten canned, baked, seared, grilled, or raw.

There are many cultures around the world where skipjack tuna is the highlight of the dish. In Japan, skipjack tuna, known there as katsuo, is eaten raw in sushi and sashimi, or smoked and dried to make katsuobushi which is the main ingredient in fish stock, or dashi. Also, in Indonesia, it is enjoyed cured and smoked in a dish called cakalang fufu.

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Ralph was a blast, definitely recommend and would go again!

    Zachary M. with Ralph M. of Miami Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Frank maintained contact up to the day of the Charter. Arrived on time and well prepared. He was knowledgeable of the area and was a great experience. We caught tuna, wahoo, barracuda, red hind grouper, yellow jack, and trumpet fish. Definitely recommend Frank.

    Stephen S. with Frank A. of Rincon, Rincón

  • ★★★★★
    I have been fishing the keys for 10 years but learned a ton fishing with Captain Troy and first mate James. We caught a 2 man limit of nice sized yellow tail in 1.5 h. Very friendly folks made for a great day ! Highly recommend!

    Thomas J. with Troy W. of Islamorada, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Tommy was a great guide and great company, and knew all the best spots. We caught a mahi, which Tommy filleted for us, and a barracuda! We saw sea turtles and dolphins as well - a really incredible trip overall!

    Ethan S. with Rick S. of Riviera Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had a blast fishing with Captain Troy and his crew! They did everything possible to provide us an exciting adventure during our vacation. We caught a variety of fish and enjoyed grilling them up that evening. We highly recommend Captain Troy for your Florida Keys fishing adventure.

    Patrick G. with Troy W. of Islamorada, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had a fantastic time with captain Brad. We tried different techniques and despite being a rough choppy day we still have out with a lot of fish. We all enjoyed it and highly recommend him to anyone!

    Shai K. with Brad S. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Tony was top notch! He communicated well prior to the trip, was ready to go when we arrived, got us on some great fish, and was just a good guy and fun to go fishing with.

    Jc F. with Tony Y. of Islamorada, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time with Bill and his first mate. Fishing was a bit slow but always fun to get out there with Captain X

    Dade M. with Bill C. of Lantana, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Tony and Scotty were very courteous and did their best to get us into fish. Weather was not in our favor as it was cold and water temp was cold. Landed a 6 foot sail fish, some Atlantic spades and a rainbow racer! Great day on the water!!

    Kimberly E. with Tony Y. of Islamorada, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Ariel and Alexis were amazing captains. Ariel is completely bilingual and has so much experience fishing for 17 years in PV but also all over the world. He was super adaptive — he worked with us to do a lot of different types of fishing (we trolled, we jigged) and all in we caught almost 40 fish with just two of us!! He also gave us an opportunity to add on a trip to Yelapa where they cooked our fresh fish, and it was not only delicious but such a unique experience. Ariel was super communicative and flexible, too. Would highly highly recommend Ariel to anyone who wants to catch a lot of fish, learn about the area and have an amazing time out on the water.

    Elizabeth C. with Ariel R. of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

  • ★★★★★
    The weather was rough but we really wanted to go. Captain Chris said that if we were willing he'd give it a go. He and first mate Taylor put us on fish and filled the cooler and really made the whole trip a very special day for my family and took great care of us. We would recommend these two anytime.

    Marty C. with Chris S. of Gulfport, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip !! Capt and Mate both great boat and equipment well maintained. We landed 2 sails 4 of 5 tuna and a variety of other fish including grouper and snapper.

    Jeremiah W. with Brad S. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Great time on the water! Very nice boat with plenty of room. Captain and deck hand were great!

    Jason M. with Brad S. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent fishing! Excellent captain and first mate! Very accommodating…can’t say enough about this charter:) Would definitely recommend and would absolutely go again!!!

    Deborah B. with Bill C. of Lantana, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Dale and his deckhand were extremely professional, my father is an older gentleman that is not very mobile, they went above and beyond and accommodating for him, and my son caught his first blue marlin!!!!! They were wonderful and I’m looking forward to another day on the ocean with him tomorrow, if it was anything like today, it will be a day to remember

    Kirk E. with Dale L. of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

  • ★★★★★
    Had the best time! The captains were great and so friendly! Truly made the experience even more enjoyable! Recommend to anyone that wants to fish and have a great time.

    Matt S. with Bill C. of Lantana, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Doug, my best friend, and I had a great fishing experience with Captain Brad. Captain Brad and First Mate Jameson are very professional and enjoyable to fish with. The had rigs and bait ready when we arrived. The Southpaw was clean and ready to go. We left on time and had a fantastic "Dawn to Dusk" trip. We started with a quick stop at a buoy to catch some live bait, which was fun. Next we travelled to the first trolling spot. At 8:45 we had a bite on the left outrigger. 45 minutes, and many jumps and runs, later, we had a beautiful blue marlin beside the boat. We have little deep sea fishing experience. The fish was caught on 30 pound test line. Captain Brad and First Mate Jameson did an amazing job ensuring we caught and released the fish. We then continued trolling and around 11 Captain Brad found Mahi Mahi. We made several circles by the weed line they were under and caught 15. We continued trolling and along the way we boated a barracuda and a king mackerel. We did a deep drop and caught some rose fish. We fished a wreck and Doug had something big on the line but could never get it off the bottom. We trolled some more until it was time to return to port. Captain Brad worked all day long. He never lost focus. He truly loves to do what he does. Jameson was on point all day as well. He is relatively new as a first mate and has learned quickly and always was focused and energetic. Captain Brad has spent a lifetime doing what he does and is still passionate about giving people a great time on the water. He designed his vessel to be a great deep sea fishing vessel, and the Southpaw is. I will recommend Captain Brad to anyone. Fishing is a game of chance. All you can ask for is a captain who is knowledgeable and passionate, a great vessel, and a competent first mate. We had that experience. Thank you Captain Brad.

    Thomas T. with Brad S. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    These guys made for a great fishing trip. Very hospitable, friendly, and knowledgeable. Boat was clean and comfortable. Would definitely recommend.

    Thomas H. with Ikena H. of Lihue, Hawaii

  • ★★★★★
    The best fishing trip ever! Caught a 6’ 160 lb shark and approx 80 fish.

    Kyrie H. with John C. of Panama City, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Brad had a beautiful well maintained boat. We had a very windy day so difficult to fish the fish were not very active related to the weather but he tried as best he could moved frequently and kept in touch with other captains but no one was having luck that day. His first mate Ryan was very good kept all the fishing poles maintained and gave us helpful instructions. He kept moving the whole 8 hr trip. Hopefully next time fishing conditions will be better.

    Glenn S. with Brad S. of Key West, Florida

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