Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
How to tell it
Stockier than yellowfin, oversized eye, duskier fins; honest answer — hard to call, measure and check.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called bigeye tuna, and what gives it away.
- Yellowfin tuna: Brighter yellow fins, slimmer profile. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 27 in curved fork length minimum | No creel limit | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| ConnecticutFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| DelawareFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic)Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf)Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 27 in curved fork length | No bag limit | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| MaineFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| MarylandFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| MassachusettsFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 27 in curved fork length minimum | No bag limit | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| New HampshireFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| New JerseyFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| New YorkFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 27" curved FL min | No bag limit (federal HMS rules) | Year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode IslandFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 27 in curved fork length | No bag limit | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| TexasFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
| VirginiaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 27 in curved fork length min | No bag limit | Open year-roundNOAA HMS Recreational Compliance Guide 2025 · checked | Open |
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 236 lb | 2014 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Connecticut | 294 lb 2 oz | 2021 · West Atlantis Canyon | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 194.8 lb | 2020 · Juno Beach | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 213.5 lb | 2018 · Mississippi Canyon | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 375.5 lb | 1977 · Ocean City | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 319 lb 5 oz | 2018 | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| Mississippi | 203 lb 14 oz | 2011 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 364 lb 14 oz | 1984 · Hudson Canyon | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 355 lb | 1981 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 311 lb 8 oz | 1992 · Off Oregon Inlet | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| Texas | 172 lb | 2023 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 311 lb | 2013 · Norfolk Canyon | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
How anglers catch it
Deep and offshore; trolled at the edges at dawn and dusk, or chunked and drifted at night.
On the table
Excellent — fattier than yellowfin.
In the app
Point the camera at a bigeye tuna and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about bigeye tuna
What is the size limit for bigeye tuna?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 27 in curved fork length minimum; Connecticut: 27 in curved fork length min; Delaware: 27 in curved fork length min; Florida (Atlantic): 27 in curved fork length min; Florida (Gulf): 27 in curved fork length min; Georgia: 27 in curved fork length min; Louisiana: 27 in curved fork length; Maine: 27 in curved fork length min; and more in the table above.
How many bigeye tuna can you keep?
Alabama: No creel limit.
How do you tell bigeye tuna from yellowfin tuna?
Bigeye Tuna: Stockier than yellowfin, oversized eye, duskier fins; honest answer — hard to call, measure and check. Yellowfin tuna: brighter yellow fins, slimmer profile.
How do you catch bigeye tuna?
Deep and offshore; trolled at the edges at dawn and dusk, or chunked and drifted at night. Methods: trolling, drifting, deep drop. Baits: squid, sardine, chunk. Lures: skirted lure, bibbed minnow.
What is the record bigeye tuna?
375.5 lb in Maryland (1977), Ocean City. Other states’ records are in the table.