Massachusetts · Cape & Islands
BLUEFIN TUNA FISHING
IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD
Martha's Vineyard is a solid destination for bluefin tuna fishing, with good fishing in July, August, September. Book a charter and target bluefin tuna with local experts.
About Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Martha's Vineyard
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 — Martha's Vineyard
Month-by-month availability for bluefin tuna in Martha's Vineyard, MA.
How to Catch Bluefin Tuna in Martha's Vineyard
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 Martha's Vineyard
Top spots where local captains target bluefin tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Vineyard Sound Bluefin Grounds
Vineyard Sound between Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands is a deep-water corridor where giant bluefin tuna feed on schools of menhaden, herring, and squid from June through November. The sound's strong currents and nutrient-rich water create a feeding ground that attracts bluefin ranging from school-sized 50-pounders to giants exceeding 1,000 pounds. Charter boats troll, chunk, and live-bait for tuna in the sound's rips and eddies.
South Shore Shark Grounds
The waters south of Martha's Vineyard over the continental shelf attract blue sharks, mako sharks, and thresher sharks that follow warm Gulf Stream eddies inshore during summer months. Charter boats run 15 to 30 miles south of the island to reach productive sharking grounds where chum slicks draw these apex predators to the surface. The area has become increasingly known for great white shark sightings as the seal population has rebounded along the New England coast.
Coxes Ledge (Vineyard Access)
Coxes Ledge is a productive offshore fishing ground roughly 50 miles south of Martha's Vineyard where an underwater ridge rises from surrounding depths to concentrate cod, pollock, and tuna. The ledge's structure attracts bluefin tuna that feed on the abundant baitfish populations over the hard bottom. Long-range charters from the Vineyard target Coxes Ledge for both bottom-fishing and tuna during summer and fall seasons.
Mud Hole (South of Nomans Land)
The Mud Hole is a depression in the seafloor south of Nomans Land Island where nutrient-rich water concentrates baitfish and attracts a variety of pelagic and bottom species. Bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi are caught over the deeper water during warm months, while cod and black sea bass hold on the surrounding structure. The area is a well-known waypoint for Vineyard charter boats running offshore trips.
Other Species in Martha's Vineyard
More fish you can target while visiting Martha's Vineyard.
Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Martha's Vineyard — FAQ
Bluefin Tuna fishing in Martha's Vineyard is productive during July, August, September.
Bluefin Tuna fishing charters in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard, 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 Martha's Vineyard, you may also catch Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore, Fluke, Tautog. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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