Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Stonington means a run past Watch Hill and Fishers Island to open water south of Block Island and Montauk. This guide covers this port only: the months for giants and school fish, which way boats point, what you pass on the way, how local boats fish, and who runs trips for hire.
When bluefin are around Stonington
Stonington boats fish two size classes, giant bluefin and school bluefin, on different calendars. For biology and migration, see our Atlantic bluefin tuna guide. This page covers timing from this port.
| Size class | Months | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Giant bluefin | June through November | Double Trouble Sportfishing schedule |
| School bluefin (schoolies) | Usually July and August | Lauren B Charters |
Giants: June through November
Double Trouble Sportfishing runs giant bluefin trips from June through November, which sets the giant window for this port.
School fish: July and August
Lauren B Charters puts schoolies around Stonington usually in July and August, which overlaps the giant months.
Where Stonington boats run for bluefin
Boats head south to open water south of Block Island and south of Montauk, where Double Trouble’s offshore trips fish. For the wider picture, see the Atlantic Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide) guide.
South of Block Island
This is open water south of the island, one of the two areas Double Trouble’s offshore trips fish.
South of Montauk
This is open water south of Long Island’s eastern tip, fished on the same offshore trips. Boats leaving Stonington reach Block Island Sound past Watch Hill and Fishers Island, so the run starts with the landmarks in the next section.
Grounds and structure near Stonington
Between the harbor and open water you pass reefs, shoals and a tidal passage that local boats know by name. These are landmarks and inshore grounds. The Stonington port page covers harbor approaches and launches. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Watch Hill Reef and The Race
Watch Hill Reef is a reef complex that Lauren B Charters puts within an hour’s run of Stonington. The Race is a tidal passage near Stonington Harbor.
Fishers Island south side
The south side of Fishers Island, around the Isabella Beach area, sits along the route out and serves as a landmark on the way to Block Island Sound.
Latimer Reef, Ram Island Reef, Sugar Reef and Noyes Shoal
Inshore structure near the port, with depths where listed:
- Latimer Light and Latimer Reef: 35 to 40 feet off the light.
- Ram Island Reef: 35 feet.
- Sugar Reef: named by Stonington Marina as within reach of its slips.
- Noyes Shoal: 10 feet.
These are inshore references on the way out.
Middle Ground, a bluefish ground
Middle Ground is a July and August bluefish ground. The bluefin are offshore, south of Block Island and Montauk.
How bluefin are fished from Stonington
Local offshore trips troll and jig, following the pattern Double Trouble’s offshore trips set. For rigging and technique, see our guide to tuna trolling and jigging.
Full-day trolling
Double Trouble’s offshore trips are full-day trips that troll for bluefin.
Jigging for school and giant fish
The same offshore trips jig for both school and giant fish, matching the season: school fish in July and August, giants June through November.
Who fishes for bluefin out of Stonington
Three Stonington charters list bluefin. Their boats show the range of how Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Stonington gets done.
| Charter | Captain or boat | Specs | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren B Charters | Captain Steve Burnett | Not listed | fishwatchhill.com |
| Double Trouble Sportfishing | "Double Down" | 2004 32 ft Topaz, licensed for 6 passengers | dtsportfishing.com |
| Wil-Ril Fishing Adventures LLC | "Kristin Lea" | 2007 Triumph 195cc, Yamaha 115 hp outboard | wilrilfishing.com |
Lauren B Charters
Lauren B Charters out of Stonington is run by Captain Steve Burnett. It lists bluefin, with schoolies usually in July and August, and puts Watch Hill Reef within an hour’s run.
Double Trouble Sportfishing
Double Trouble fishes the 2004 32 ft Topaz "Double Down," licensed for 6 passengers. Giant trips run June through November, and its full-day offshore trips troll and jig south of Block Island and Montauk.
Wil-Ril Fishing Adventures
Wil-Ril fishes the 2007 Triumph 195cc "Kristin Lea," powered by a Yamaha 115 hp outboard. It lists bluefin.
FAQ: Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Stonington
When are giant bluefin here?
June through November, per Double Trouble’s schedule. Double Trouble runs giant trips across that whole window.
When are school bluefin here?
Usually July and August, per Lauren B Charters, overlapping the giant months.
Where do Stonington boats go for bluefin?
Open water south of Block Island and south of Montauk, past Watch Hill and Fishers Island. Double Trouble’s offshore trips fish those areas.
Is there a bluefin spot inside the reefs?
No. The bluefin water is offshore, south of Block Island and Montauk. Middle Ground and the inshore reefs are bluefish water and inshore structure, and they serve as landmarks on the way out.
Which charters target bluefin?
Lauren B Charters (Captain Steve Burnett), Double Trouble Sportfishing (the 32 ft Topaz "Double Down") and Wil-Ril Fishing Adventures (the 2007 Triumph 195cc "Kristin Lea") each list bluefin.
What methods do local boats use?
Full-day trolling and jigging for school and giant fish, per Double Trouble’s offshore trips. Both methods are fished on the same trips.
