When bigeye tuna are around New London / Waterford
Bigeye tuna fishing out of New London / Waterford happens in August, and it happens offshore. The port sits on the Thames River, near the east end of Long Island Sound. This page covers the season window, the direction boats run, the landmarks on the way out, what the local record shows, and where the rules live.
August
August is bigeye season out of this port. Boats that fish for them leave the Thames and head for water well beyond the Sound.
Why the fish arrive when they do, and how deep they hold, is covered in our bigeye species guide. This page sticks to what is specific to the port.
Where boats run for bigeye
New London boats looking for bigeye run offshore, south of Montauk, to midshore and canyon water, according to a New London captain. For the wider Northeast canyon picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide), including the canyons themselves, see the regional page.
The trip runs in order: out of the Thames, east through the Sound past The Race, then offshore.
- Start: the Thames River, at New London or Waterford.
- Eastbound leg: through eastern Long Island Sound, past The Race.
- Reference point: south of Montauk.
- Destination: midshore and canyon water.
South of Montauk
Montauk is the reference point for the run. A New London captain reported the bigeye water as south of Montauk, so use it as your bearing when planning the route.
Midshore and canyon water
The reported trip covered both midshore and canyon water. Bigeye from this port are an offshore fish, so plan the day around open water rather than the Sound.
Chart layers are not for navigation. Use your plotter and the official charts for the run.
Grounds and structure near the port
These named landmarks are structure you pass or know on the way out. They are local orientation, not bigeye grounds.
- The Race: the passage boats know when leaving the eastern Sound.
- Bartlett Reef and The Spindle: reef and rock pile near the port, marked by The Spindle.
- Watch Hill reefs: local structure to the east.
- Black Point: a local landmark.
The Race
The Race is the named passage boats know when leaving the eastern Sound. It is part of the run east and is not a bigeye spot.
Bartlett Reef and The Spindle
The Spindle is a navigational aid on the rock pile at the south end of Bartlett Reef.
Watch Hill reefs
Watch Hill reefs are named local structure east of the port.
Black Point
Black Point is a named local landmark.
How bigeye are fished from this port
The local record is one midshore and canyon trip. Fish were marked on the sounder, overnight chunking was slow that week, and no catch is recorded. That doesn’t promise fish, but it shows where local boats have looked, which can help you decide where to look.
For method detail beyond the local report, see these tuna method breakdowns.
Marking on the sounder
Fish were marked on the sounder during a midshore and canyon trip. A mark shows something is there, at that depth and spot. It says nothing about whether the fish will feed, or whether one was hooked or landed. The report records marks, not fish.
Overnight chunking
Overnight chunking was described as slow that week. That is the local report, stated as given. Technique, bait and tackle are covered in the method breakdowns above.
Who fishes for bigeye out of New London
Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing tuna trips are the local charter listing for bigeye tuna. If you want to fish bigeye out of New London / Waterford with a local captain, that is the operation to look at. A charter is one way to see the run before taking your own boat.
- Charter that lists bigeye: Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing.
- Port: New London.
- Run: offshore, south of Montauk.
FAQ: bigeye tuna fishing out of New London / Waterford
When is bigeye season out of New London?
August. Bigeye from this port are an offshore fish.
Where do New London boats go for bigeye?
Offshore, south of Montauk, to midshore and canyon water, as reported by a New London captain.
Are bigeye caught from New London / Waterford?
The local report records fish marked on the sounder during a midshore and canyon trip, and no catch. It records marks, not fish.
How are bigeye fished locally?
Boats mark fish on the sounder and chunk overnight. Chunking was described as slow the week of the report.
Is there a charter out of New London that lists bigeye?
Yes. Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing lists bigeye tuna.
