Bluefin tuna out of Hampton and Seabrook at a glance
Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Hampton / Seabrook runs June through October. Boats leave from the Hampton State Pier in Hampton Harbor and run offshore into the Gulf of Maine. The Hampton / Seabrook port page covers the harbor and the water it opens to.
This page is a port briefing for the owner-operator: season, grounds, local methods, who fishes here and the rules that apply. Biology and tackle are in our Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing guide.
When bluefin are here
The port has a standing season and a narrower prime window.
| Window | Months | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Season | June through October | Standing season for the port |
| Prime | July through October | Given by one operator |
June through October
Plan trips inside the full June through October window.
The July through October prime window
One operator gives July through October as the prime season. June falls inside the season but outside that operator’s prime window.
Where boats run and the grounds
Boats run offshore into the Gulf of Maine from Hampton Harbor. Two named pieces of structure sit near the port, and no operator publishes run distances.
Leaving Hampton Harbor and the State Pier
Boats leave from the Hampton State Pier in Hampton Harbor and run offshore into the Gulf of Maine. Seabrook, at the southern end of the harbor, hosts the tuna tournament covered below.
Jeffreys Ledge
Jeffreys Ledge is the main named ground near Hampton / Seabrook and the first to put on your chart.
Isles of Shoals
The Isles of Shoals are named structure near the port. Eastman’s half-day trips run there in season.
Planning the run
Hampton charters do not publish tuna grounds or run distances, so plan the run from the chart and the forecast. Check wind, wave height and period on the official NWS marine forecast before you leave the dock. Chart contours are not for navigation.
For the wider Gulf of Maine picture, see the Northeast bluefin regional guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
How bluefin are fished locally
One local guide service, Central New Hampshire Guides, lists three methods for bluefin. No Hampton charter page describes its tuna methods, so treat this list as low confidence. Speeds, spreads and rigging are covered in the species guide.
Trolling spreader bars
Central New Hampshire Guides lists trolling spreader bars.
Chunking
Central New Hampshire Guides lists chunking.
Kite fishing with live bait
Central New Hampshire Guides lists kite fishing with live bait.
Who fishes for bluefin here
These local charters list Atlantic bluefin tuna. Use them as a starting point for a Hampton NH tuna charter.
| Operator | Captain | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| Steaker Charters | Captain Derek Gauron | F/V All In (65 ft) |
| F/V No Limits Tuna Charters | ||
| Angler Management 101 | Captain Roland Groux | |
| Central New Hampshire Guides | Captain JD Foote | Single-engine Yamaha 250, up to 6 |
For how charters work across ports, see our tuna fishing guides.
Seabrook tuna tournament
Seabrook hosts a tuna tournament, which is part of how the port fishes for bluefin.
FAQ about Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Hampton / Seabrook
When is the bluefin season out of Hampton / Seabrook?
June through October. One operator gives July through October as the prime season.
Where do boats leave from?
Boats leave from the Hampton State Pier in Hampton Harbor and run offshore into the Gulf of Maine.
How far do boats run for bluefin?
No Hampton operator publishes run distances. Plan the run from the chart and the official marine forecast.
What grounds are near Hampton and Seabrook?
Jeffreys Ledge and the Isles of Shoals are the named grounds and structure near the port.
Is there a tuna tournament?
Yes. Seabrook hosts a tuna tournament.
