When bluefin are here
Charter trips for Atlantic bluefin tuna out of Falmouth / Woods Hole run July through October. Late-season giants may stay offshore into October and November. The main division is between school fish and giants, and the rest of this page follows it.
Migration and biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna are covered on the species page. Port-level details for Falmouth / Woods Hole start here.
School fish in midsummer
School fish show up south of Martha’s Vineyard in midsummer, a short run from Falmouth.
Late-season giants
Giants are the late-season target. They may stay offshore into October and November, after the school fish have thinned from the inshore grounds.
Where boats run from Falmouth
The runs below are listed from closest to farthest, each with the fish targeted there.
| Run | Target | Boats named in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| South of Martha’s Vineyard | School bluefin | Local boats |
| Shoals and rips off the Vineyard | Giants | Local boats |
| Stellwagen Bank | Giants | Local boats |
| East of Chatham | Giants | Castafari, Tunacious |
| George’s Bank | Multi-day trips | Machaca |
South of Martha’s Vineyard
This is the midsummer school-fish ground, a short run from Falmouth. Boats fish it with trolling spreads and topwater plugs, both described in the section on how bluefin are fished here.
Shoals and rips off the Vineyard
Giants are targeted on the shoals and rips off the Vineyard. The named structure closest to the harbor is covered in the next section.
Stellwagen Bank and east of Chatham
Giants are also targeted on Stellwagen Bank and east of Chatham, where Castafari and Tunacious fish. For grounds that extend beyond this port, see the Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide).
George’s Bank
Machaca runs multi-day trips to George’s Bank, the farthest run on this list.
Grounds and structure near the harbor
Hedge Fence Shoal lies between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, and most of the named structure near the port sits around it.
| Ground | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Port Hunter wreck | 25 ft | West end of Hedge Fence Shoal |
| Hedge Fence Shoal | 20 ft | Between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth |
| Nobska Light rips and boulder field | ||
| Stone Pier | Woods Hole | |
| Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground |
The U.S. Coast Pilot chapter covers Woods Hole Passage and the Vineyard Sound approaches. Before the run, check wind, wave height and period in the official NWS coastal waters forecast.
Chart layers are not for navigation.
How bluefin are fished here
Method depends on the fish. Schools are fished with trolling and topwater. Giants are fished with live bait, chum, and stand-up or chair work.
Trolling for schools
The local school-fish spread is spreader bars, daisy chains and skirted ballyhoo. For rigging detail beyond what is fished locally, see the tuna fishing guides.
Topwater on breaking fish
Topwater plugs are thrown to breaking school fish. When fish are on the surface, casting replaces trolling.
Live bluefish and chum for giants
Giants are fished by drifting live bluefish and by chumming, both on the giant grounds rather than the school-fish ground.
Stand-up and chair
Castafari works giants both stand-up and from a fighting chair.
Charters that list bluefin
These boats list Atlantic bluefin tuna from this port:
- Bluefin Charters: The Bluefin, 28 ft BHM, Capt. Brian Courville. Berthed at Falmouth Harbor.
- Castafari Sportfishing: 45 ft custom Jim Smith express, Capt. Damon Sacco. Fishes east of Chatham and works fish stand-up and from the chair.
- Machaca Charters: The Machaca, Capt. Willy Hatch with first mate Ryan. Runs multi-day trips to George’s Bank.
FAQ: Atlantic bluefin tuna out of Falmouth / Woods Hole
When does the bluefin season run from Falmouth?
July through October for charter trips. Late-season giants may stay offshore into October and November.
How far is the run to school bluefin?
School fish show up south of Martha’s Vineyard in midsummer, a short run from Falmouth.
Where are giant bluefin fished?
On the shoals and rips off the Vineyard, Stellwagen Bank, and east of Chatham.
What charters target bluefin from Falmouth / Woods Hole?
Bluefin Charters (Capt. Brian Courville), Castafari Sportfishing (Capt. Damon Sacco) and Machaca Charters (Capt. Willy Hatch).
Do any boats go to George’s Bank?
Yes. Machaca Charters runs multi-day trips to George’s Bank.
