Massachusetts · Cape & Islands
PORGY FISHING
IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD
Martha's Vineyard is a solid destination for porgy fishing. Book a charter and target porgy with local experts.
About Porgy Fishing in Martha's Vineyard
Also called Scup, porgy are abundant and reliable pan fish found from New Jersey to Connecticut. These scrappy fighters are excellent eating and provide fast action on light tackle around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom structure.
Porgy — also called Scup — are one of the most reliable and abundant bottom fish from New Jersey to Connecticut. These small, pan-shaped fish with iridescent silver-blue scales and a distinctive spiny dorsal fin are excellent eating with sweet, mild flesh. Porgy gather in large schools around structure, making them easy to locate and fun to catch in quantity. While not glamorous, they are a bread-and-butter species that provides fast, consistent action for anglers of all skill levels — especially popular for family fishing trips.
Scientific name: Stenotomus chrysops
Porgy Seasonal Calendar — Martha's Vineyard
Month-by-month availability for porgy in Martha's Vineyard, MA.
How to Catch Porgy in Martha's Vineyard
Techniques & Bait
Small pieces of clam, squid, or sandworm on a high-low rig (two-hook bottom rig) with a bank sinker fished near rocky bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. Small jigs (1/4-1/2 oz) tipped with clam or squid worked near the bottom also produce well. Chum with crushed clam or cat food to concentrate schools. Fish structure transitions — where rock meets sand — for the best catches. Porgy bite aggressively and provide quick, reliable action.
Recommended Tackle
Light spinning rod (6-7 ft), 2000-2500 reel, 8-10 lb braid, 10-15 lb fluorocarbon leader, small hooks (size 4-1/0), light sinkers (1/2-2 oz).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Martha's Vineyard
Top spots where local captains target porgy 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.
Porgy Fishing in Martha's Vineyard — FAQ
Porgy fishing in Martha's Vineyard is productive during .
Porgy 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.
Small pieces of clam, squid, or sandworm on a high-low rig (two-hook bottom rig) with a bank sinker fished near rocky bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. Small jigs (1/4-1/2 oz) tipped with clam or squid worked near the bottom also produce well. Chum with crushed clam or cat food to concentrate schools. Fish structure transitions — where rock meets sand — for the best catches. Porgy bite aggressively and provide quick, reliable action.
No — when you book a charter in Martha's Vineyard, your captain provides all required Massachusetts fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Porgy 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 Porgy in Martha's Vineyard, you may also catch Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore, Bluefin Tuna, Fluke. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Porgy in Martha's Vineyard?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your porgy fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes