When swordfish are around Hyannis
Swordfish out of Hyannis are fished on the same offshore trips as the tuna, so timing follows those trips. The local format is the 2-day and extended run, and those are the trips where swordfish are listed alongside the tuna.
For regional swordfish timing and water temperature (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide), see the Atlantic Northeast guide, which covers the wider picture for the species.
Where boats run and the water on the way out
Swordfish fishing out of Hyannis is an offshore, multi-day fishery. This section covers the run and the nearest buoy, NDBC 44020, so you can judge conditions before you leave the dock.
Offshore with the tuna
Boats run offshore on the same trips as the tuna. Leaving Hyannis, they cross Nantucket Sound first.
Reading NDBC 44020
The nearest NOAA buoy is the NDBC 44020 station page, in Nantucket Sound at 41.497 N 70.283 W. It reports wind, wave height and dominant period.
Because the buoy sits in Nantucket Sound, it reads the water on the run out and says nothing about the offshore grounds. Take wind, wave height and dominant period as numbers, then check the NWS Nantucket Sound marine forecast before you go.
| Reading | Where to get it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | NDBC 44020 | Nantucket Sound |
| Wave height | NDBC 44020 | Nantucket Sound |
| Dominant period | NDBC 44020 | Nantucket Sound |
| Marine forecast | NWS, zone ANZ232 | Nantucket Sound |
Grounds and structure near Hyannis
The named grounds and structure near Hyannis can be found on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Nantucket Shoals
Nantucket Shoals is the main named ground near the port.
Phelps Bank
Phelps Bank is named structure near Hyannis.
Davis Bank and the rips
Davis Bank, Middle Rip, Asia Rip and Fishing Rip are named features of the Nantucket Shoals:
- Davis Bank
- Middle Rip
- Asia Rip
- Fishing Rip
How it is fished and who fishes it
Night bait fishing and jigging on the tuna trips
The tuna trips run night bait fishing and jigging on the 2-day and extended runs, and swordfish are fished within that format. Helen H offshore tuna trips describe it.
For daytime deep-drop and nighttime drift technique, see our swordfish fishing guide.
Helen H Offshore Fishing
Helen H Offshore Fishing (Helen H Fleet) is the local charter that lists swordfish. Its boats are John and Son I and John and Son II.
| Operator | Boats | Swordfish listed |
|---|---|---|
| Helen H Offshore Fishing (Helen H Fleet) | John and Son I, John and Son II | Yes |
FAQ: swordfish out of Hyannis
Is there a Hyannis swordfish charter?
Yes. Helen H Offshore Fishing lists swordfish and runs John and Son I and John and Son II. Swordfish are fished on the 2-day and extended tuna trips.
Do swordfish hold on Nantucket Shoals?
Nantucket Shoals, with Davis Bank, Middle Rip, Asia Rip and Fishing Rip, is the named structure near the port. Swordfish trips run offshore with the tuna. Chart layers are not for navigation.
When is swordfish fishing out of Hyannis worth trying?
On the same offshore trips as the tuna. The regional guide covers the wider timing picture for the Northeast.
What does NDBC 44020 tell me before a run?
It reports wind, wave height and dominant period in Nantucket Sound, on the run out. It does not read the offshore grounds. Check the NWS marine forecast as well.
Where do I find guides for other billfish?
See our billfish fishing guides. They cover the other HMS species you may see on offshore trips.
