Massachusetts · Cape & Islands
BLUEFISH FISHING
IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD
Martha's Vineyard is an excellent destination for bluefish fishing, with peak season in July, August and good catches in June, September. Book a charter and target bluefish with local experts.
About Bluefish Fishing in Martha's Vineyard
Bluefish are aggressive, hard-fighting predators found along the entire Atlantic coast. Known for their razor-sharp teeth and voracious feeding frenzies, blues are exciting to catch on both bait and lures and make excellent table fare when bled immediately.
Bluefish are the most aggressive predator fish in the Atlantic — known for their ferocious feeding frenzies ("bluefish blitzes") where schools of hundreds of fish attack baitfish at the surface, chopping through schools like a chainsaw. Their blue-green back, silver sides, and razor-sharp teeth make them unmistakable. Bluefish are hard fighters on light tackle, with powerful runs and head-shaking jumps. They are found from Florida to New England, migrating along the coast in spring and fall. Caution: their teeth can cause serious injury — use a de-hooking tool.
Scientific name: Pomatomus saltatrix
Bluefish Seasonal Calendar — Martha's Vineyard
Month-by-month availability for bluefish in Martha's Vineyard, MA.
How to Catch Bluefish in Martha's Vineyard
Techniques & Bait
Casting metal spoons (Kastmaster, Hopkins), topwater poppers, and bucktails into surface-feeding blitz is the most exciting technique. Trolling Clark spoons behind inline sinkers and planers covers water during migrations. Cut bait (bunker, mullet) on bottom rigs or fishfinder rigs is effective for larger fish. Live bait (bunker, spot) catches trophy-size blues. For surf fishing, cast metals and bucktails into breaking fish along the beach. Fly fishing with Clouser Minnows during blitzes is spectacular.
Recommended Tackle
Medium spinning rod (7 ft), 4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon or wire leader (bluefish teeth cut fluorocarbon regularly — 40 lb+ or short wire bite leader recommended).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Martha's Vineyard
Top spots where local captains target bluefish and other nearshore species.
Wasque Point Rips
Wasque Point on the southeastern tip of Chappaquiddick Island is where Muskeget Channel's powerful currents create standing rips that concentrate baitfish and attract striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, and bonito. The rips are among the most productive nearshore fishing grounds in southern New England, with explosive surface feeding during the fall run. Both boat anglers and surf-casters work the Wasque rips for trophy fish from September through November.
Squibnocket Point
Squibnocket Point on Martha's Vineyard's southwest shore is a rugged boulder-strewn coastline where Atlantic swells crash against glacial rocks, creating white water that holds striped bass and bluefish. The point's submerged boulder fields and kelp beds provide ambush cover for stripers feeding on lobsters, crabs, and baitfish. Surf-casting from the rocks at Squibnocket during a southwest wind and incoming tide is considered one of New England's ultimate striper-fishing experiences.
Lobsterville Beach
Lobsterville Beach stretches along Menemsha Bight on the Vineyard's northwest shore, where a gradually sloping sand bottom and consistent current create ideal conditions for bonito and false albacore. The beach's shallow bar and trough system concentrates baitfish, drawing schools of albies and bonito within casting range of shore-bound anglers during September and October. Fly-fishers wade the bar targeting false albacore on small epoxy flies in some of the clearest water in the region.
Cape Poge Gut
Cape Poge Gut is the narrow tidal channel connecting Cape Poge Bay to Nantucket Sound on the northeast corner of Chappaquiddick Island. The gut's swift currents on tidal exchanges create a natural feeding station where striped bass, bluefish, and bonito ambush baitfish pouring through the opening. Anglers position boats at the gut's mouth or wade the adjacent flats to intercept fish during peak current flow.
Other Species in Martha's Vineyard
More fish you can target while visiting Martha's Vineyard.
Bluefish Fishing in Martha's Vineyard — FAQ
The peak months for Bluefish fishing in Martha's Vineyard are July, August. During these months, Bluefish are most active and abundant in the Martha's Vineyard area.
Bluefish fishing charters in Martha's Vineyard are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Casting metal spoons (Kastmaster, Hopkins), topwater poppers, and bucktails into surface-feeding blitz is the most exciting technique. Trolling Clark spoons behind inline sinkers and planers covers water during migrations. Cut bait (bunker, mullet) on bottom rigs or fishfinder rigs is effective for larger fish. Live bait (bunker, spot) catches trophy-size blues. For surf fishing, cast metals and bucktails into breaking fish along the beach. Fly fishing with Clouser Minnows during blitzes is spectacular.
No — when you book a charter in Martha's Vineyard, your captain provides all required Massachusetts fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Bluefish 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 Bluefish in Martha's Vineyard, you may also catch Striped Bass, False Albacore, Black Sea Bass, Tautog, Fluke. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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