When swordfish are within reach of Falmouth / Woods Hole
Swordfish are within reach of this port only on canyon trips. The fish are never close to the harbor, so there is no inshore or day-trip window to plan around. If you can make the run and stay out overnight, you can fish for them.
Species details and general timing are in our swordfish fishing guide.
The run: canyons south of Nantucket and Cape Cod
Boats from this port fish swordfish on canyon trips only. The grounds are the canyons south of Nantucket and Cape Cod, well beyond any local structure. For the wider canyon picture past this port, see swordfish in the Atlantic Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide).
Plan the canyon setup on the Breakpoint chart before you leave the dock. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How far boats run
Castafari runs 70 to 100 miles south of Nantucket. That figure is Castafari’s own for its trips, not a fleet average. Use it to gauge the scale of the run, then work out your own range and route.
Why trips are multi-day
A run of 70 to 100 miles puts the fishing far offshore, so local boats treat it as a multi-day canyon trip rather than a day trip. That also means fishing through the night, which is how the local methods work.
Leaving port: grounds and structure on the way out
The named structure near Falmouth / Woods Hole is water boats cross on the way out, not swordfish ground. Use Falmouth / Woods Hole for ramps, navigation and the wider local picture. The official navigation reference for Vineyard Sound and Woods Hole is the U.S. Coast Pilot chapter.
The places you will pass:
| Name | Where | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Hedge Fence Shoal | Between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth | 20 ft |
| Port Hunter wreck | West end of Hedge Fence Shoal | 25 ft |
| Nobska Light rips and boulder field | Near the harbor | Not printed |
| Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground | Vineyard Sound, on the route out | Not printed |
| Stone Pier | Woods Hole | Not printed |
Hedge Fence Shoal and the Port Hunter wreck
Hedge Fence Shoal sits at 20 ft, between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth. The Port Hunter wreck lies at the west end of the shoal, at 25 ft.
Nobska Light rips and boulder field
The Nobska Light rips and boulder field are in the water near the harbor, which boats cross on the way out.
Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground
Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground are Vineyard Sound structure on the route out.
Stone Pier, Woods Hole
Stone Pier is a Woods Hole landmark.
How swordfish are fished out of this port
Local boats fish swordfish with night bait and jigs on multi-day canyon trips. Technique, gear and depths are covered in the species guide linked above.
Night bait
Night bait is one of the two local methods. It suits the multi-day format because the boat is in the canyons overnight.
Jigging
Jig fishing is the other local method, used on the same multi-day canyon trips.
Who fishes for swordfish out of Falmouth / Woods Hole
Three Falmouth charters list swordfish.
| Charter | Captain | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| Castafari Sportfishing | Capt. Damon Sacco | 45 ft custom Jim Smith express |
| Machaca Charters | Capt. Willy Hatch, with first mate Ryan | The Machaca |
| Tunacious Charters | Capt. Bill Manthorne | Not listed |
Castafari is also the source of the 70 to 100 mile run figure above. For guided options beyond this port, see our billfish fishing guides.
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole
How far do boats run for swordfish from Falmouth / Woods Hole?
Castafari runs 70 to 100 miles south of Nantucket, to the canyons south of Nantucket and Cape Cod.
Can you fish swordfish as a day trip from here?
No. Boats from this port fish swordfish on multi-day canyon trips only, because of the run distance.
How do local boats fish for swordfish?
With night bait and jigs, on multi-day canyon trips.
Which charters list swordfish out of Falmouth / Woods Hole?
Three charters list swordfish:
- Castafari Sportfishing, with Capt. Damon Sacco.
- Machaca Charters, with Capt. Willy Hatch.
- Tunacious Charters, with Capt. Bill Manthorne.
Are the Vineyard Sound shoals swordfish spots?
No. Hedge Fence Shoal, the Port Hunter wreck, the Nobska rips, and Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground are water boats cross on the way out. The swordfish are in the canyons.
