When swordfish are around Nantucket
Swordfish fishing out of Nantucket is a summer fishery, run to the canyons about 100 miles south of the island. Harbor, ramp and conditions detail for Nantucket is on the port page. The fish are offshore. The rips and structure close to the island are landmarks on the way out, and the grounds section below keeps them separate from the canyon fishery.
How far boats run from Nantucket
Boats run about 100 miles to the canyons south of Nantucket. The wider summer canyon picture extends well beyond this port; the Northeast regional guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide) covers it.
The canyons south of the island
The target is the canyon edges south of the island. Read the edges and lay out the run line on Chart Contours, and check surface temperature on OBS SST. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Planning a 100-mile overnight run
Plan the trip around the distance and the dark:
- Fuel: the run is about 100 miles each way, so plan fuel for the full round trip plus the drift.
- Crew: the fishing happens at night, so plan crew for a night offshore.
- Forecast: read the NWS marine forecast before you commit. It is a forecast, not an observation, and our data has no buoy reading at the canyons for this port, so the forecast is what you have to go on.
Grounds and structure near Nantucket
The named grounds around Nantucket are inshore rips and structure, not swordfish grounds. You pass or know them on the way out; the swordfish are 100 miles south.
Leaving through the harbor jetties
The rock jetties protect the Nantucket Harbor entrance.
The Hooter and Muskeget Channel
The Hooter is named for the fairway buoy at the end of Muskeget Channel.
Western shore: Tuckernuck rips, Madaket pass, Bonito Bar
- Tuckernuck rips and the pass: the rips and the rip-edge pass between Madaket Harbor and Tuckernuck Island.
- Bonito Bar: on the western shore of Nantucket and fished in the fall, outside the summer swordfish window.
South and east shore: Miacomet Rip, Sankaty Light
- Miacomet Rip: south shore, west of Miacomet.
- Sankaty Light: the east side, near Sankaty Light.
Great Point Rip and The Gauls
Great Point Rip and The Gauls are named local grounds.
How swordfish are fished out of Nantucket
Swordfish out of Nantucket are fished at night, almost exclusively on the drift. For general technique, tackle and rigging, see our swordfish guide.
| Element | Local practice |
|---|---|
| Timing | Night |
| Method | Drift, almost exclusively |
| Baits | Squid, mackerel, eel |
Night drift
The local default is the drift at night. You set up on the canyons and let the boat and the baits move with the water.
Squid, mackerel and eel
Squid, mackerel and eel are the baits used locally.
Who fishes here: The Big Game Battle
Owner-operators from the island and visiting boats run this water in summer. The Big Game Battle is held out of Nantucket, usually in July. Crews fishing multi-species events will find more in our billfish guides.
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Nantucket
How far is the run for swordfish from Nantucket?
About 100 miles to the canyons south of the island. Most boats plan it as an overnight trip.
When is swordfish season out of Nantucket?
Summer.
Do the inshore rips around Nantucket hold swordfish?
No. Great Point Rip, the Tuckernuck rips and the other named spots are inshore landmarks, and the swordfish are in the canyons. Bonito Bar is a fall spot.
What bait do Nantucket boats use for swordfish?
Squid, mackerel and eel, fished at night on the drift.
When is The Big Game Battle?
Usually in July, out of Nantucket.
