Striped bass fishing out of Nantucket is strongest in June, per Salty Cape, and runs from the inshore flats out to the rips. This guide covers the season by month, the named grounds by shore, how locals fish them, and who works these waters. For the port itself, see the Nantucket port page. For biology and general tactics, see the striped bass guide. For the migration picture across the region, see the Northeast striped bass guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
When Striped Bass Are Around Nantucket
The season starts in June inshore and at Great Point, moves to the offshore rips in July, and finishes at Bonito Bar in the fall.
| Period | Where the fishing sits |
|---|---|
| June | Great Point, Madaket Harbor and the flats |
| July | Offshore rips |
| Fall | Bonito Bar |
June Inshore and at Great Point
June is the strongest month at Great Point, per Salty Cape. Bill Fisher describes it as the inshore month in Madaket Harbor, and Topspin lists June striper trips.
July in the Offshore Rips
Bill Fisher describes July as the month for the offshore rips, which are covered by shore in the next section.
Fall at Bonito Bar
Bonito Bar, on the western shore of Nantucket, is fished in the fall.
Where Boats Run and the Grounds That Hold Fish
Boats run by direction and shore: northeast to Great Point, east to Sankaty Light, south to Miacomet, west to Madaket, Tuckernuck and Muskeget Channel, and to the harbor entrance. The named grounds appear on the Nantucket port page in the app. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Ground | Shore | When fished |
|---|---|---|
| Great Point Rip | Northeast tip | June strongest (Salty Cape) |
| The Gauls | Northeast, near Great Point | Not listed |
| Sankaty Light | East | Not listed |
| Miacomet Rip | South, west of Miacomet | Not listed |
| Madaket Harbor and flats | West | June inshore (Bill Fisher) |
| Tuckernuck rips and pass | West | Not listed |
| The Hooter | End of Muskeget Channel | Not listed |
| Bonito Bar | West | Fall |
| Harbor rock jetties | Harbor entrance | Not listed |
Great Point Rip and The Gauls
Great Point Rip lies off the island’s northeast tip, per Salty Cape, and its rip edges are fished from both boat and beach. The Gauls is a named ground near Great Point.
Sankaty Light and the East Side
The eastern shore near Sankaty Light has its own named structure.
Miacomet Rip
Miacomet Rip sits on the south shore, west of Miacomet.
Madaket Harbor and the Flats
Bill Fisher names Madaket Harbor and the flats as the June inshore ground, worked by fly and light-tackle anglers.
Tuckernuck Rips and the Madaket Pass
On the western shore, the Tuckernuck rips and the rip-edge pass between Madaket Harbor and Tuckernuck Island form one fishing area.
The Hooter
The Hooter takes its name from the fairway buoy at the end of Muskeget Channel.
Bonito Bar
Bonito Bar, on the western shore, is a fall ground.
Nantucket Harbor Jetties
Rock jetties protect the harbor entrance, and TotalFlyFishing names them as striper water.
How Stripers Are Fished Here
Locally, two approaches stand out: a depth tactic at Great Point, and fly and light tackle across the shallow grounds.
The Great Point Drop-Off
Per Salty Cape, when fish aren’t in shallow water, work the steep drop-off on the northwest side of Great Point Rip. That is where to look when the shallows are empty.
Fly and Light Tackle
Per Nantucketfishing.com and Bill Fisher, fly and light tackle are fished from both boat and beach. That suits the grounds above:
- Madaket Harbor and the flats
- The harbor rock jetties
- The Great Point rip edges
Who Fishes for Stripers Out of Nantucket
Four local operations list striped bass fishing out of Nantucket, and two tournaments are built around the fish.
Charters
- Topspin Fishing Charters: Captain Carl Bois. The boat is a 35-foot Terry Jason vessel that takes up to 6 anglers. Topspin lists June striper trips.
- Albacore Charters out of Nantucket: Captain Bob Decosta, per directory listing.
- Nantucketfishing.com charters: Captain Hal Herrick and Captain Sam Herrick.
- Bill Fisher Outfitters guides: Captain Corey Gammill, Captain Bill Toelstedt and Captain Cam Gammill.
Tournaments
The Spring Sea Run Opener is usually in May. The Nantucket Inshore Classic is usually in September.
FAQ: Striped Bass Fishing Out of Nantucket
What is the best month for stripers around Nantucket?
June. It is strongest at Great Point per Salty Cape, and Bill Fisher describes June inshore in Madaket Harbor. The fishing moves to the offshore rips in July, and Bonito Bar is fished in the fall.
Where is Great Point Rip?
It lies off the island’s northeast tip, per Salty Cape. Its rip edges are fished from boat and beach. When fish aren’t in shallow water, work the steep drop-off on the northwest side.
Can you fish for stripers from the beach or with a fly?
Yes. Nantucketfishing.com and Bill Fisher describe fly and light tackle from boat and beach. Local options include the Great Point rip edges, Madaket Harbor and the flats, and the harbor rock jetties named by TotalFlyFishing.
Which charters run striped bass trips out of Nantucket?
Four operations list stripers: Topspin Fishing Charters (Captain Carl Bois), Albacore Charters (Captain Bob Decosta), Nantucketfishing.com (Captains Hal and Sam Herrick) and Bill Fisher Outfitters (Captains Corey Gammill, Bill Toelstedt and Cam Gammill). Topspin’s boat is a 35-foot vessel for up to 6 anglers.
When are the Nantucket striper tournaments?
The Spring Sea Run Opener is usually in May, and the Nantucket Inshore Classic is usually in September. For the other inshore species around the island, see our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
