Massachusetts · Cape & Islands
BLUEFIN TUNA FISHING
IN CHATHAM
Chatham is an excellent destination for bluefin tuna fishing, with peak season in July, August, September and good catches in October. Book a charter and target bluefin tuna with local experts.
About Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Chatham
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is the ultimate big game fish of the northeast, with giants exceeding 1,000 pounds caught off New England each year. Stellwagen Bank and the canyons off Montauk are legendary grounds for these incredible fighters.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are the largest, most powerful, and most valuable tuna species in the world. These magnificent fish can exceed 1,000 lbs and are the ultimate test of angler and tackle. Their torpedo-shaped body is dark blue-black on top with silver-gray sides and a series of yellow finlets along the tail. Bluefin are warm-blooded — they maintain a body temperature well above the surrounding water, which gives them extraordinary power and stamina. Giant bluefin tuna can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars at fish markets, making them one of the most economically important fish in the ocean.
Scientific name: Thunnus thynnus
Bluefin Tuna Seasonal Calendar — Chatham
Month-by-month availability for bluefin tuna in Chatham, MA.
How to Catch Bluefin Tuna in Chatham
Techniques & Bait
Chunking (chumming with cut herring, mackerel, or butterfish while drifting) with baited hooks at various depths is the standard technique for school-size bluefin. Live bait fishing with mackerel, herring, or whiting produces trophy-size fish. Trolling with spreader bars, umbrella rigs, and large skirted lures covers water when fish are scattered. "Green stick" fishing (a specialized rig that dangles squid-shaped lures from a tall pole) is popular on the commercial and recreational fleet. Fly fishing for bluefin on 14-16 weight rods is the ultimate challenge.
Recommended Tackle
School bluefin (under 73 inches): medium-heavy spinning or 30-50 lb conventional. Giants (over 73 inches): 80-130 lb stand-up or chair gear, Shimano Tiagra or Penn International reels, 130 lb mono or braid, wind-on leaders to 300+ lb. Fights with giants can last 2-6+ hours.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Chatham
Top spots where local captains target bluefin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Great South Channel
The Great South Channel is a deep-water passage between Georges Bank and Nantucket Shoals that serves as a major migratory corridor for bluefin tuna, sharks, and whales. The channel's nutrient-rich upwelling supports massive schools of sand eels, herring, and squid that attract giant bluefin tuna from June through November. Charter boats out of Chatham run 20 to 40 miles to reach the channel's productive fishing grounds for some of the best tuna fishing on the East Coast.
Chatham Canyon
Chatham Canyon is a submarine canyon cutting into the continental shelf southeast of Chatham where depths plunge from 200 to over 1,000 feet. The canyon walls create upwelling that concentrates baitfish and attracts yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, and swordfish during summer and fall. Long-range offshore trips from Chatham target the canyon for big-game species in the deep blue water beyond the shelf edge.
Stellwagen Bank (Southeast Corner)
The southeast corner of Stellwagen Bank is accessible on long-range trips from Chatham, where the bank's underwater plateau rises from surrounding depths to concentrate baitfish and predators. Bluefin tuna, giant and school-sized, patrol the bank's edges following concentrations of sand eels and herring. The bank is also a world-renowned whale-watching destination, and the presence of humpback whales often signals productive tuna fishing nearby.
Georges Bank (Western Edge)
The western edge of Georges Bank lies roughly 60 miles east of Chatham, where the shallow bank drops off into deeper Atlantic water. Cod, haddock, and pollock are the primary bottom-fishing targets, while bluefin tuna and sharks cruise the bank's edges during warmer months. Georges Bank has sustained New England's commercial fishing fleet for centuries and remains one of the most productive fishing grounds in the North Atlantic.
Other Species in Chatham
More fish you can target while visiting Chatham.
Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Chatham — FAQ
The peak months for Bluefin Tuna fishing in Chatham are July, August, September. During these months, Bluefin Tuna are most active and abundant in the Chatham area.
Bluefin Tuna fishing charters in Chatham are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Chunking (chumming with cut herring, mackerel, or butterfish while drifting) with baited hooks at various depths is the standard technique for school-size bluefin. Live bait fishing with mackerel, herring, or whiting produces trophy-size fish. Trolling with spreader bars, umbrella rigs, and large skirted lures covers water when fish are scattered. "Green stick" fishing (a specialized rig that dangles squid-shaped lures from a tall pole) is popular on the commercial and recreational fleet. Fly fishing for bluefin on 14-16 weight rods is the ultimate challenge.
No — when you book a charter in Chatham, your captain provides all required Massachusetts fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Bluefin Tuna regulations in Massachusetts include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Bluefin Tuna in Chatham, you may also catch Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore, Black Sea Bass, Cod. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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