tuna fishing uk 2025
Tuna Fishing UK 2025: Your Guide to Battling Bluefin Giants
The Atlantic Bluefin tuna (BFT) is charging through UK waters in 2025, turning heads with its blistering speed—up to 40mph—and jaw-dropping size, often exceeding 500lbs. These beasts flood in from mid-August through autumn, and the UK’s tuna fishing scene is buzzing. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is rolling out a beefed-up Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF) and a tightly controlled commercial fishery, all under ICCAT’s strict rules. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of a release or landing a quota, this is your 2025 guide to tuna fishing in the UK—complete with the UK Bluefin Tuna Association’s (UKBFTA) "Stand-up Fight Technique" and the gear you’ll need to win the fight.
Tuna Fishing in 2025: What’s Happening
The UK’s Bluefin game is bigger and better this year. Here’s the scoop as of April 4, 2025:
Commercial Fishery:
Quota: 45 tonnes of the UK’s 66.15-tonne total, divvied up among 15 vessels (max 3 tonnes each).
Season: 1 July–31 Dec 2025.
Details: Applications ran 20 March–21 April 2025. Rod and reel only, no chumming, and every catch tracked with ICCAT eBCDs.
Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF):
Permits: 180 vessels, a jump from 100 in 2024, with 13 tonnes allocated for any incidental mortalities.
Season: July–Dec 2025 (likely kicking off early August, like 2024’s 3 Aug start).
Stats: 2024 saw 3,359 Bluefin caught and released with a tiny 0.21% pre-release mortality—98.7% swam off strong (data dropped 19 March 2025). Applications opened April 2025.
No Rogue Fishing: Targeting Bluefin without a permit? Illegal. Hook one by accident? Release it alive. If it’s dead, report to MMO (0330 041 6585) within 24 hours.
Want the nitty-gritty? Hit up MMO’s Bluefin page.
Why Skill and Gear Are Non-Negotiable
Bluefin tuna don’t mess around—reels shriek, rods bend to breaking, and fights demand everything you’ve got. Sloppy technique or flimsy tackle drags out the battle, risking the fish’s life and your pride. The UKBFTA’s stand-up method and the right gear keep it short, sharp, and safe, fueling CRRF’s stellar release rates.
Stand-Up Fight Technique: Conquer the Catch
The UKBFTA’s "Stand-up Fight Technique" (ukbfta.co.uk/training) turns you into a Bluefin boss. Here’s how to nail it:
Gear Up & Brace
Rod in a belt or harness, feet apart, knees flexed. Strap that reel down—Bluefin’s first run is chaos.
Let it rip 100-200 yards, easing drag to slow the spool.
Lock In
Face the fish, rod at 45°. Lean back, legs and core powering the pull—arms just guide.
Crank drag to your gear’s limit post-run. Keep the rod loaded; slack spells trouble.
Pump It Out
Lift the tip to 60° with your body—short pumps for deep divers.
Drop to 30°, reel fast. Work the clock: hold 6–12, gain 12–6. Swap anglers if you’re toast.
Outsmart the Fish
Skipper swings the boat side-on—cuts fight time and risk.
Deep pinwheel? Corkscrew it up with steady pumps—tough but triumphant.
Release Like a Pro
Gloves on, leader hand-over-hand—no wraps. Keep it in the water (boarding’s a no-no).
Swim at 1-2 knots, then 4-6 knots for 8-10 minutes. Look for fin flutters and tailbeats—then slack the line for a clean release.
Tackle You Can Trust
Bluefin demand battle-ready gear:
Rods & Reels: 50lb-class minimum—big-game rods with roller guides, reels like Shimano Tiagra or Penn International with 300+ yards of 50lb line.
Line & Leaders: 50-80lb main (braid or mono), 150-200lb leaders to take the punishment.
Hooks: 10/0-12/0 circle hooks—jaw-hooking heroes for safe releases.
CRRF Bonus: Spreader bars, topwater lures, or jigs for permitted anglers.
Safety Musts: Rod straps, heavy gloves—don’t lose gear or skin.
Grab what you need at tunagear.co.uk with TUNA10 for 10% off.
The 2025 Buzz
Tuna fishing in the UK is hitting new highs—3,359 Bluefin released in 2024 with near-perfect survival. In 2025, commercial fishers cash in sustainably, while CRRF anglers live the adrenaline rush and let ‘em go. That sight of a Bluefin blasting off after release? It’s why we do this.
Get After It
2025 is your year to tackle UK tuna. Dive into ukbfta.co.uk or atlanticbluefintuna.co.uk for more. Caught a Bluefin story? Share it below or tag #AtlanticBluefinTuna on X. Tight lines—go make it epic!
