Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Indian River Inlet runs to two named grounds, Massey’s Canyon and the Old Grounds, with an offshore fleet that reports bluefin in summer. The Indian River Inlet departure point sets every distance below, and our Atlantic bluefin tuna guide covers the fish itself. This page covers when fish are around, how far boats run, the structure on the way, how locals fish it, and who fishes it.
When bluefin are around Indian River Inlet
The season runs late spring into summer, with fall and winter reports. For how bluefin move along the coast before and after they reach Delaware, see bluefin movement along the Atlantic Northeast (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
| Window | What the port reports |
|---|---|
| Late spring into summer | Core season. The marina reports bluefin from the offshore fleet in summer. |
| Fall | Reports come in. |
| Winter | The marina calls the winter bluefin bite a draw. |
Late spring into summer
This is the core window. Indian River Marina reports bluefin from the offshore fleet in summer.
Fall and winter
Reports come in through fall and winter as well, and the marina calls the winter bite a draw.
Where boats run
Two named runs anchor the port, the Old Grounds and Massey’s Canyon. In summer, the offshore fleet’s reports add a third source of information.
| Ground | Run from the inlet | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Old Grounds | 13 miles off the bell on a 113 heading | Not sourced |
| Massey’s Canyon | About 35 miles offshore | About 80 ft |
Old Grounds
The Old Grounds lie 13 miles off the bell on a 113 heading, per ProPTalk. This is the closer of the two named runs.
Massey’s Canyon
Massey’s Canyon sits about 35 miles offshore from Indian River Inlet, per DNREC, in about 80 ft. Boats chunk butterfish here; the methods section has the detail.
The offshore fleet in summer
The marina reports bluefin from the offshore fleet in summer, and the Indian River Marina fishing reports show what the fleet is finding. Use them to decide where to look. They don’t guarantee fish.
Grounds and structure off the inlet
Reef sites, a wreck group and two named tuna grounds sit between the beach and the canyon. Figures below follow their sources.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Distance or bearing as sourced |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Artificial Reef Site 9 | – | – |
| Delaware Artificial Reef Site 10 | 60 | 6 to 7 miles from the beach (FishTalk) |
| Reef Site 11 (Redbird Reef) | 75 | About 18 miles from the inlet (FishTalk) |
| Del-Jersey-Land Reef | – | 22 miles southeast of the inlet (ProPTalk) |
| USS Arthur W. Radford wreck group | – | About 28 miles from the inlet (FishTalk) |
| Hot Dog | – | – |
The Site 10, Site 11 and Radford figures come from FishTalk’s Indian River structure rundown.
Reef Site 10
Site 10 lies in 60 ft, 6 to 7 miles from the beach. It is the closest structure on the list.
Redbird Reef
Redbird Reef, Delaware Artificial Reef Site 11, sits in 75 ft about 18 miles from the inlet.
Del-Jersey-Land Reef
Del-Jersey-Land Reef lies 22 miles southeast of the inlet, per ProPTalk.
USS Arthur W. Radford wreck group
The Radford wreck group is about 28 miles from the inlet. FishTalk suggests a tactic here when bluefin are present; the methods section covers it.
Hot Dog
ProPTalk names the Hot Dog as tuna and dolphin grounds.
Chart layers are not for navigation; use NOAA charts.
How bluefin are fished here
Locals use three methods: trolling, chunking and speed jigging. For the same approaches on other species, see trolling, chunking and jigging for other tunas.
- Trolling: ballyhoo or spreader bars.
- Chunking: butterfish at Massey’s Canyon.
- Speed jigging: the Radford wreckage, a tactic FishTalk suggests when bluefin are present.
Trolling ballyhoo or spreader bars
Boats troll ballyhoo or spreader bars.
Chunking butterfish at Massey’s
Chunking with butterfish is used at Massey’s Canyon, in about 80 ft.
Speed jigging the Radford
FishTalk suggests speed jigging the wreckage around the Radford when bluefin are present. It is a suggestion, and there is no evidence here that it is a proven pattern.
Who fishes bluefin out of this port
- Owner-operators running their own boats.
- The offshore fleet that Indian River Marina reports on in summer.
- Boats working Massey’s Canyon and the Old Grounds.
FAQ about bluefin out of Indian River Inlet
How far is Massey’s Canyon from Indian River Inlet?
About 35 miles offshore, per DNREC, in about 80 ft. Boats chunk butterfish there.
Where are the Old Grounds?
13 miles off the bell on a 113 heading, per ProPTalk.
Is there a winter bluefin bite?
Yes. The marina calls the winter bluefin bite a draw, and fall reports come in too.
What methods do locals use?
Boats troll ballyhoo or spreader bars and chunk butterfish at Massey’s. FishTalk suggests speed jigging the Radford when bluefin are present.
Can you catch bluefin on the Radford?
FishTalk suggests speed jigging the wreckage when bluefin are present, and the wreck group is about 28 miles from the inlet. That makes it a place to look, with no promise of fish.
How far is Redbird Reef from the inlet?
About 18 miles from the inlet in 75 ft, per FishTalk.
