Bluefin tuna, known for their incredible strength and size, have been a prized catch for anglers off the coast of North Carolina. In recent weeks, however, anglers fishing from Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head have had a chance to land some of these magnificent creatures right off the end of the pier – an unprecedented streak that has left locals and fishing enthusiasts stunned.
A Look at the Current Regulations
Current Atlantic bluefin tuna regulations apply to fishing activities conducted from vessels. There is no specific federal regulation that specifically limits the landing of bluefin tuna from shore, as the species is typically caught well offshore. However, all anglers must comply with federal regulations that govern landing and retention limits for bluefin, and they are required to have the proper licenses, whether the fish are hooked miles or mere yards from the beach.
- According to NOAA’s Code of Federal Regulations, “It is unlawful for any person or vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to fish for, catch, possess, retain, land, or sell Atlantic highly migratory species without the appropriate valid vessel permit with the appropriate endorsements.”
In April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that bluefin tuna fishing at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina, had been shut down due to the illegal fishing activity. A NOAA officer visited the pier on Tuesday morning after several local anglers had hooked or caught bluefins there over the weekend. The officer advised pier management that customers could not legally fish for bluefin tuna under federal law.
A Confluence of Conditions
Seeing bluefin tuna so close to shore is incredibly unusual, but a confluence of conditions – the spring migration, ideal water temperatures, and massive schools of menhaden (also known as bunker) packed tightly to the coast – appears to have drawn the tuna to within spitting distance of the shoreline. Jennette’s Pier staff and local anglers have recently confirmed that big menhaden schools in the area.
| Condition | Effect |
|---|---|
| Spring Migration | Tuna are more likely to be found in shallower waters during the spring migration. |
| Ideal Water Temperatures | Bluefin tuna prefer warmer water temperatures, which can trigger them to move closer to shore. |
| Massive Menhaden Schools | These schools can attract bluefin tuna, which feed on menhaden. |
These conditions have resulted in a remarkable series of bluefin catches off Jennette’s Pier, with some anglers managing to hook and release massive fish. Greg Allen, a local angler, was lucky enough to hook up twice during his fishing trip on the weekend, with one fish spooling him and the other breaking his line.
Angler Stories
Greg Allen and Stefan Turko of Kitty Hawk both had the opportunity to catch bluefin tuna off Jennette’s Pier. Allen hooked a 150- to 175-pound bluefin on Sunday, while Turko landed an impressive 140-pound bluefin on April 4. “I think it’s gonna be hard for me to top this one for a long time,” Turko said in a Facebook post. “Said a prayer on the way out for a safe day, and god blessed me more than I could imagine.”
Another kayak angler, Aki Min, hooked a 154-pound bluefin just yards off the pier on April 5. After going for a 3-mile ride courtesy of the massive fish, Min landed on the beach with the tuna, which was longer than he is tall, next to Jennette’s Pier. “It will be hard to top this one,” Min said in a post. “Let’s all hope the fish stick around for a while, and some more people can get one. And maybe they’ll be back in future years, too.”
A New Fishing Hotspot?
If anglers keep hooking these deep-sea bluefins right off the pier, Jennette’s could become a tuna hotspot, drawing anglers from up and down the East Coast.
“These fish are usually 30 to 50 miles offshore,” said one seasoned OBX angler. “To see them caught right off the beach is insane.”
Atlantic bluefin tuna are the largest of the tuna species, with some individuals reaching up to 13 feet in length and weighing over 2,000 pounds. These deepwater giants live in the western Atlantic and range from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico, where they typically spawn in mid-April.
The Unprecedented Bluefin Fishing Spree at Jennette’s Pier
In recent weeks, anglers fishing from Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina, have had a chance to land some of the bluefin tuna right off the end of the pier – an unprecedented streak that has left locals and fishing enthusiasts stunned. The bluefin tuna are known for their incredible strength and size, and the fact that they are being caught so close to shore has left many in awe. Despite the excitement, it is essential to note that bluefin tuna fishing is heavily regulated, and anglers must comply with federal regulations that govern landing and retention limits for bluefin. Jennette’s Pier staff has emphasized that anglers cannot legally keep bluefin caught from a pier or the shore.
Key Takeaways
* Bluefin tuna fishing is heavily regulated, and anglers must comply with federal regulations. * Atlantic bluefin tuna regulations apply to fishing activities conducted from vessels. * There is no specific federal regulation that specifically limits the landing of bluefin tuna from shore. * Anglers must have the proper licenses and comply with landing and retention limits for bluefin. * Bluefin tuna are typically caught well offshore, but some exceptional cases may result in catches near the shore. * Jennette’s Pier has become a hotspot for bluefin fishing, drawing anglers from up and down the East Coast. * The species is known for its incredible strength and size, with some individuals reaching up to 13 feet in length and weighing over 2,000 pounds.