Sea bass are around Falmouth / Woods Hole from late May through October, and most boats run to Hedge Fence and the Port Hunter wreck in Vineyard Sound. This page covers black sea bass fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole for anglers running their own boat: the grounds, depths, tide side and timing. The species guide covers the fish itself, and the port guide for Falmouth / Woods Hole covers the harbor. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast region guide.
When black sea bass are around Falmouth / Woods Hole
The local window runs late May through October. Any week in that stretch puts you in the fishery, and the timing below helps you pick the right one for what you want.
| Window | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Mid-May through June | Strongest fishing on the Port Hunter wreck |
| Late May through October | General season for sea bass in Vineyard Sound |
| September and early October | Often the largest fish of the year |
Late May through October
This is the local season, and sea bass should be part of the fishing on any trip inside it.
The Port Hunter in spring
The Port Hunter wreck fishes best from mid-May through June, starting a little ahead of the general window. The wreck is covered in the next section.
September and early October for size
September and early October often produce the largest fish, so build the trip around this window if size is the goal.
Where boats run and the structure that holds fish
Most boats start with the Hedge Fence complex, then work out to the Woods Hole side grounds. Positions here are relative to each other and to the shoreline. Chart layers are not for navigation, so check the official charts before you run.
- Hedge Fence Shoal: between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, 20 ft, with a drift band of 20 to 40 ft
- Port Hunter wreck: west end of Hedge Fence, 25 ft
- Nobska Light rips and boulder field: Woods Hole side
- Stone Pier: Woods Hole
- Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground: other grounds near the port
Hedge Fence Shoal
Hedge Fence sits in Vineyard Sound between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, with 20 ft on the shoal. Drift the down-tide side in 20 to 40 ft rather than the shoal top. The Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint shows the 20 to 40 ft band, so you can plot it before you leave the dock.
Port Hunter wreck
The Port Hunter lies at the west end of Hedge Fence Shoal, at 25 ft. It fishes best from mid-May through June.
Nobska Light rips and boulder field
Nobska is rock and rip structure on the Woods Hole side. Drop to the boulders and work the rip.
Stone Pier, Woods Hole
Stone Pier is structure at Woods Hole, useful to know if you fish the Woods Hole end of the sound.
Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground
Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground are two more grounds near the port. Plot both when you build a day around the structure above.
How sea bass are fished locally
The working depth is about 25 ft. Local boats keep the gear simple and put their effort into finding the right piece of bottom.
| Method | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| Jigs and squid on the bottom | Hedge Fence and the wreck |
| Drifting the down-tide side | The rip at Hedge Fence, 20 to 40 ft |
| Dropping to structure | Port Hunter wreck and Nobska boulders |
Jigs and squid on the bottom
Local boats bottom fish with jigs and squid, putting the bait or jig on the bottom and working it near structure.
Drifting the down-tide side
Local boats drift the down-tide side of the rip. At Hedge Fence, that is the 20 to 40 ft band.
Dropping on wreck and rock
Dropping to wreck and rock means fishing the Port Hunter and the Nobska boulder field. For more on this kind of work, see our structure and reef fishing guides.
Who fishes for them out of this port
A charter or party boat is one way to see the grounds before you run them yourself. Both operators below list black sea bass.
Bluefin Charters
The Bluefin is a 28 ft BHM run by Capt. Brian Courville and berthed at Falmouth Harbor. See Bluefin Charters out of Falmouth for trip details.
Patriot Party Boats
Patriot Party Boats is family owned. See Patriot Party Boats bottom trips for details on its bottom fishing trips.
FAQ about black sea bass fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole
When is the best time for sea bass out of Falmouth?
Late May through October, with the largest fish often in September and early October. The Port Hunter wreck fishes best from mid-May through June.
Where is the Port Hunter wreck and how deep is it?
It sits at the west end of Hedge Fence Shoal, at 25 ft.
Which side of Hedge Fence do you fish?
The down-tide side of the rip, in 20 to 40 ft.
What baits and lures work here?
Jigs and squid on the bottom, at about 25 ft, dropped to wreck and rock structure.
Who runs sea bass trips from Falmouth?
Bluefin Charters runs The Bluefin, a 28 ft BHM with Capt. Brian Courville, out of Falmouth Harbor. Patriot Party Boats is family owned.
