Tuna Fishing in the UK: An Honest Guide for Beginners and Families
By Monty · Reviewed by Andy · Published 4 October 2026
- Mackerel
- Feathering
- Boat
- Beginner
- Experienced
- Summer
- Autumn
Big tuna really do visit UK waters, but catching one is nothing like a day on the pier. It's a specialist, tightly controlled catch-and-release boat fishery, and in practice you take part through an authorised charter trip. This guide explains how it works, who it suits and how to get ready, plus what to do instead if you're just starting out.
- Who it suits
Mostly adults and older teenagers who are fit, comfortable at sea, and happy to spend a long day offshore with no guarantee of a bite. Families and complete beginners are usually better off starting with mackerel and other inshore species, then working up to a tuna trip later. Younger children should only go if the charter skipper confirms they accept them, and many trips may not be suitable.
- Conditions
Tuna fishing happens offshore from boats, usually in a seasonal window when the fish are passing UK waters. Trips depend heavily on sea state and wind, and skippers often cancel or cut trips short if the forecast is poor. Check season dates and the forecast with your skipper, as these vary by year and area.
What you need
A checklist to pack before you go. Tackle recommendations are editorial — we don't sell anything yet.
Essential
- Booking with an authorised tuna charter skipperRecreational tuna fishing is normally only allowed on authorised, catch-and-release trips. Ask the skipper to confirm their authorisation.Alternatives: None for tuna. For a first trip, book an inshore mackerel trip instead.
- Lifejacket or buoyancy aidMost charter boats provide these. Check that ones in children's sizes are available if young people are coming.Alternatives: Bring your own properly fitted, in-date lifejacket if you have one.
- Warm layersIt is usually much colder and windier offshore than on land, even in summer.Alternatives: Fleece or wool jumper plus a thermal base layer.
- Waterproof jacket and trousersSpray and rain are common on boats.Alternatives: Waterproof jacket only in settled weather, but trousers help a lot.
- Non-slip footwearDecks get wet and slippery. Avoid open sandals.Alternatives: Wellies or deck boots with good grip.
- Sun protectionSun cream, a hat and sunglasses. Glare off the water is strong.Alternatives: Polarised glasses also help you see things in the water.
- Food and plenty of waterTuna trips can be long days. Pack more than you think you'll need.Alternatives: Ask whether the boat provides hot drinks.
Useful extras
- Seasickness remediesTake them before the trip, following the packet or a pharmacist's advice.Alternatives: Wristbands or ginger, though results vary.
- Heavy tuna rod, reel and lineUsually supplied by the skipper. Normal beach or pier tackle is nowhere near strong enough.Alternatives: Use the skipper's gear rather than buying your own.
- Lures or bait for tunaThe skipper normally chooses and supplies these to match the rules and the conditions.Alternatives: Follow the skipper's choice.
- Camera or phone in a waterproof pouchOnly take photos in the way the skipper allows, without harming the fish.Alternatives: Leave it in a dry bag until needed.
- Small dry bagKeeps spare clothes, phone and snacks dry.Alternatives: A strong rucksack with a waterproof liner.
Most people in the UK think of tuna as something that comes in a tin. So it can be a surprise to learn that Atlantic bluefin tuna, some of the biggest and fastest fish in the sea, visit our coastal waters. Sightings of these huge fish have made headlines in recent years, and lots of anglers now dream of catching one.
Before you plan anything, there is one key point to understand: you can't just go out and fish for tuna in the UK. Bluefin tuna are a protected species. Recreational tuna fishing here is normally only allowed as catch-and-release, under special rules and on authorised trips. If you hook one by accident while fishing for something else, the rules are strict too.
This guide explains how tuna fishing works for ordinary anglers, how to prepare for a trip, and what beginners and families can do to build up to it.
Who this suits
Tuna fishing is not a beginner's starting point. It suits people who:
- are comfortable spending a long day on a boat well away from land
- don't get badly seasick, or know how to manage it
- are fit enough to help with a long, hard fight if the skipper asks
- are happy to go home without a bite, because blank days are common
- accept that every fish goes back into the sea
If you are new to sea fishing, or fishing with children, start closer to home. Catching mackerel from a pier or a small inshore boat teaches you most of the basics. It's also great fun.
How tuna fishing works in the UK
It's catch-and-release only
In general, recreational anglers in the UK are not allowed to keep bluefin tuna. Any tuna caught must be released alive and in good condition. There are usually rules about how the fish is handled, such as keeping it in the water rather than lifting it onto the boat. Your skipper will know the current rules. Always follow them exactly.
You usually go with an authorised skipper
The normal way for anglers to fish for tuna is to book a place on a charter boat whose skipper is authorised to run tuna trips. The skipper provides the specialist heavy tackle and knows the local waters and the rules. They also handle the fish safely.
The details of who can run trips, and what permits are needed, can change from year to year. Check the latest official guidance before you book anything, and ask any skipper to confirm they are authorised.
Don't try it yourself
Don't target tuna from the shore, a pier, a kayak or a small private boat. Apart from the legal side, a big tuna can be far heavier than an adult. It can pull hard for a long time and could easily drag a small boat or injure someone. This is a job for experienced crews with the right boat and gear.
What you need
On an authorised charter, the skipper normally supplies the rods, reels, line, lures or bait and safety kit. Your job is mainly to be comfortable, warm, dry and ready. See the checklist for a full list. The key things are:
- warm layers and a waterproof jacket, even in summer
- non-slip shoes or boots
- sun protection and a hat
- plenty of food and water
- seasickness remedies if you need them
Ask your skipper exactly what they provide and what you should bring.
Step by step: planning a tuna trip
- Check the current rules. Look up the latest official guidance on recreational tuna fishing for the part of the UK you're interested in. Rules and schemes can change.
- Find an authorised skipper. Ask them to confirm they are allowed to run tuna trips, and what the rules are on board.
- Ask the right questions. What's included? How long is the trip? Do they take children, and from what age? What happens if the weather is bad?
- Be realistic about timing. Tuna are seasonal visitors and don't turn up on demand. Ask the skipper when trips usually run.
- Get ready the night before. Pack your kit, check the forecast, eat well and get some sleep. Take seasickness tablets early if you use them, following the packet instructions.
- Listen to the safety briefing. Wear your lifejacket when told to. Learn where everything is on the boat.
- Follow the crew's lead when a fish is hooked. Tuna fights can be long and tiring. The crew will tell you where to stand, when to reel and when to rest.
- Help the fish go back safely. Let the crew handle the release. Take photos only in the way the skipper allows, and never at the fish's expense.
If it isn't working
Tuna fishing has lots of quiet days. If you're not getting bites:
- Be patient. The skipper may move around a lot, looking for birds, baitfish or splashes.
- Enjoy the trip anyway. Many anglers see dolphins, seabirds and other wildlife even on days without tuna.
- Don't blame yourself. Whether tuna turn up depends mostly on the fish, the sea and the weather, not on you.
- Keep your expectations sensible. Treat a tuna as a bonus, not a certainty.
- Build skills on smaller fish. If a tuna trip feels too big a step, book an inshore trip for mackerel, pollack or wrasse first.
A better first step for beginners and families
If you're new to sea fishing, or fishing with children, try these first:
| Option | Why it's good to start with |
|---|---|
| Mackerel from a pier or harbour | Often caught in summer, fun and good for learning |
| Short inshore boat trip | Easier on the stomach, shorter day, lots of bites when fish are about |
| Feathering for mackerel | Simple method that teaches casting and reeling |
Once you're confident at sea and know you enjoy boat fishing, a tuna charter becomes a much more exciting next step.
Stay safe
- Never try to target tuna from the shore, a pier, a kayak or a small private boat. Large tuna can be much heavier than an adult and can pull a person or small boat dangerously.
- Wear a lifejacket whenever the skipper says to, and make sure children have properly fitted ones.
- Listen carefully to the safety briefing and always follow the skipper's and crew's instructions, especially while a fish is hooked.
- Keep hands, fingers and clothing clear of tight lines, reels and the boat's edge during a fight.
- Offshore trips depend on the weather. Accept the skipper's decision if they cancel or come back early.
- Check with the skipper whether children are allowed, and from what age, before booking.
- Dress for cold, wet and windy conditions, even on a sunny day, and protect yourself from the sun.
- Let the crew handle tuna at the side of the boat. Never try to lift a tuna out of the water yourself.
Questions people ask
Can I keep a tuna if I catch one in the UK?
In general, no. Recreational tuna fishing in the UK is catch-and-release, and the fish must be returned alive. Rules can change, so always check the latest official guidance and follow your skipper's instructions.
Can I catch tuna from the beach or a pier?
No. Tuna fishing is an offshore boat fishery, and targeting them from the shore isn't realistic, safe or normally allowed. If you're fishing from the shore, try mackerel, bass or wrasse instead.
Is tuna fishing suitable for children?
It depends on the child and the skipper. Trips are long, can be rough and often blank. Many families find a shorter inshore mackerel trip a better first experience. Ask the skipper about age limits before booking.
Do I need my own tackle?
Usually not. Authorised charter skippers normally provide the specialist heavy tackle. Ask what's included when you book.
What if I hook a tuna by accident while fishing for something else?
Don't try to land or keep it. Release it as quickly and safely as you can, ideally without taking it out of the water. Check the current official guidance on accidental tuna catches, as there may be specific rules.
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