Massachusetts · North Shore
BLUEFISH FISHING
IN PLYMOUTH
Plymouth is a solid destination for bluefish fishing, with good fishing in July, August, September. Book a charter and target bluefish with local experts.
About Bluefish Fishing in Plymouth
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 — Plymouth
Month-by-month availability for bluefish in Plymouth, MA.
How to Catch Bluefish in Plymouth
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 Plymouth
Top spots where local captains target bluefish and other nearshore species.
Cape Cod Bay Structure
Cape Cod Bay's nearshore waters off Plymouth feature scattered rock structure, sand bars, and drop-offs that hold striped bass, fluke, black sea bass, and tautog. The bay's fertile waters support massive spring runs of sand eels and herring that attract migrating stripers and bluefish into the nearshore zone. Trolling, jigging, and bait-fishing over the bay's structure produces diverse catches throughout the season.
Manomet Point
Manomet Point is a rocky headland south of Plymouth where Cape Cod Bay's deeper water meets the shore, creating current breaks and structure that hold striped bass, bluefish, and tautog. The point's submerged boulders and ledge provide ambush cover for fish feeding on crabs and baitfish along the rocky coastline. Shore anglers cast from the cliffs while boat anglers work the point's productive edges for larger fish.
Plymouth Nearshore Reefs
Artificial reef sites and natural rocky patches in the nearshore waters off Plymouth provide bottom-fishing structure in 20 to 50 feet of Cape Cod Bay water. Black sea bass, tautog, scup, and fluke hold on the hard structure, offering reliable half-day fishing from Plymouth Harbor. These nearshore reefs are particularly productive during summer when warm water brings sea bass and scup into the bay in large numbers.
Gurnet Point
Gurnet Point is the narrow peninsula extending into Cape Cod Bay at the entrance to Plymouth and Duxbury Bays, with a historic lighthouse marking its tip. The point's position between the open bay and the protected harbors creates tidal rips that concentrate striped bass, bluefish, and fluke along its edges. Surf-casting from the Gurnet and boat-fishing the rip produce some of the best nearshore action on Massachusetts' south shore.
Other Species in Plymouth
More fish you can target while visiting Plymouth.
Bluefish Fishing in Plymouth — FAQ
Bluefish fishing in Plymouth is productive during July, August, September.
Bluefish fishing charters in Plymouth 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, you may also catch Striped Bass, Cod, Bluefin Tuna, Fluke, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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