When bigeye are off Shinnecock
Bigeye tuna fishing out of Shinnecock is a canyon fishery, and local charters put the window between June and October. Boats leave through Shinnecock Inlet and run to the canyons. The Shinnecock charters each state their own window, and the overlap is August and September.
Species biology and general tactics are in the bigeye tuna fishing guide.
Sea Venture’s window
Sea Venture fishes July through October and calls August and September best.
Gusto IV’s canyon trips
Gusto IV runs canyon trips June through October, the earliest start of the three charters.
September odds
Fin Alley says chances improve in September, and all three windows include that month.
| Charter | Stated window |
|---|---|
| Sea Venture | July through October, best August and September |
| Gusto IV | June through October canyon trips |
| Fin Alley | Chances improve in September |
How far boats run
Boats from Shinnecock run to the Northeast Canyons as either an extended day or a two-day overnight. Weather decides whether a canyon run happens, so check the official NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before leaving the dock.
- Extended day: a single long day out and back
- Two-day overnight: a canyon stay that includes a night on the water
- Departure point: Shinnecock Inlet
Extended day
Sea Venture runs the Northeast Canyons as an extended day, and Gusto IV sells a canyon day troll.
Two-day overnight
Sea Venture also runs a two-day overnight, and Gusto IV sells a canyon overnight. The methods section ties the overnight to troll/chunk and to bigeye over 200 pounds.
Grounds and structure
The named reefs are inshore waypoints on the way out. The canyons and the shelf edge are where the trip formats point. Chart layers, including Chart Contours, are not for navigation.
| Name | Depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Shinnecock Reef | 76 to 84 ft | 2.0 nm south of Shinnecock Inlet |
| Twelve Mile Reef | 123 to 143 ft | 12.0 nm from Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets |
| The Dip | ||
| Coimbra | ||
| Hudson Canyon (shelf edge) |
Shinnecock Reef
Shinnecock Reef sits in 76 to 84 ft, 2.0 nm south of Shinnecock Inlet. It is the first waypoint outside the inlet.
Twelve Mile Reef
Twelve Mile Reef is in 123 to 143 ft, 12.0 nm from Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets. It is another inshore waypoint on the run.
The Dip and Coimbra
The Dip and Coimbra are named offshore grounds on the route from Shinnecock, between the inshore reefs and the canyons.
Hudson Canyon shelf edge
Hudson Canyon and the shelf edge are the canyon end of the run. Sea Venture’s trips target the Northeast Canyons. The regional guide covers the wider Northeast Canyons regional picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide).
How bigeye are fished here
Two formats cover the local fishery: a canyon day troll and a canyon overnight that adds chunking. The tuna hub covers other tuna species and techniques.
- Day troll: Gusto IV’s canyon day troll
- Overnight: Gusto IV’s canyon overnight troll/chunk
- Target size: Fin Alley says overnight trips may target bigeye over 200 pounds
Canyon day troll
Gusto IV lists a canyon day troll, which pairs with the extended-day format.
Overnight troll and chunk
Gusto IV’s canyon overnight combines trolling and chunking. Fin Alley says overnight canyon trips may target bigeye over 200 pounds.
Who fishes for them out of Shinnecock
Three local charters list bigeye tuna.
Sea Venture "The Canyon Specialist"
Capt. Peter Stassi runs Sea Venture, which Captain Experiences lists as a 40 ft boat. It fishes the Northeast Canyons as an extended day or a two-day overnight, July through October, with August and September the best months.
Fin Alley Fishing Charters
Capt. Don Archer runs the 43 ft Tiara through Fin Alley Fishing Charters. Overnight canyon trips may target bigeye over 200 pounds, and chances improve in September.
Gusto IV Fishing Charters
The boat name is Gusto IV. It sells a canyon day troll and a canyon overnight troll/chunk, with canyon trips June through October.
FAQ about bigeye tuna fishing out of Shinnecock
What are the best months for bigeye out of Shinnecock?
Charters fish bigeye out of Shinnecock June through October. Sea Venture fishes July through October and calls August and September best. Gusto IV runs canyon trips June through October. Fin Alley says chances improve in September.
Do Shinnecock boats fish bigeye as a day trip or overnight?
Both formats are offered. Sea Venture runs the Northeast Canyons as an extended day or a two-day overnight. Gusto IV sells a canyon day troll and a canyon overnight troll/chunk.
Which canyons do boats from Shinnecock run to?
Sea Venture runs the Northeast Canyons. Hudson Canyon and the shelf edge are the named canyon ground. The Dip and Coimbra are named offshore grounds on the route from Shinnecock.
What size bigeye do overnight trips target?
Fin Alley says overnight canyon trips may target bigeye over 200 pounds. That wording describes a stated aim and does not promise fish.
Which charters fish for bigeye out of Shinnecock?
Three charters list bigeye tuna. Sea Venture "The Canyon Specialist" is run by Capt. Peter Stassi. Fin Alley Fishing Charters is run by Capt. Don Archer on a 43 ft Tiara. Gusto IV Fishing Charters is listed by boat name, Gusto IV.
How close are the nearest reefs to Shinnecock Inlet?
Shinnecock Reef is 2.0 nm south of the inlet in 76 to 84 ft. Twelve Mile Reef is 12.0 nm from Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets in 123 to 143 ft. Both are waypoints on the way out and neither is a bigeye ground.
