Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Newburyport means a long offshore run to the Northeast Canyons. Boats leave the Newburyport river mouth and head well past the ledges most local anglers fish. This guide covers where boats run, which buoy to read before you go, what you pass on the way, and who already fishes it. The documented run comes from one local operator’s trip post. The closer-in local grounds are not documented yellowfin ground.
When yellowfin are around Newburyport
Yellowfin appear on local charters’ offshore species lists and in a local operator’s Northeast Canyons post. From this port they are an offshore fish rather than a ledge fish.
Seasonal timing and water temperature for yellowfin are covered in the yellowfin tuna fishing guide.
- Treat Jeffreys Ledge and the river mouth as stops on the way, not the target.
- Treat the canyons as the destination, offshore of where local tuna anglers usually fish.
Where boats run
A Mass Charter Fishing post tagged Northeast Canyons places Newburyport’s yellowfin fishing at the canyons. No run distance is printed here, so work out range from your own fuel burn and your chart. It is a long offshore run, and the range calculation belongs to the skipper.
The Northeast Canyons regional guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide) covers the canyons themselves.
Reading conditions before the run
Two Captains’ home page links a forecast for the Jeffrey’s Ledge Buoy. Check wind, wave height, and period there, and compare them with the official NOAA marine forecast before you commit to the run. The buoy reports conditions where it sits, not at the canyon edge.
Grounds and structure off Newburyport
These are the named grounds and landmarks between the canyons and the river. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Ground | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Flag | Named by Newburyport’s harbormaster as a tuna area | |
| Pigeon Hill | Named by Newburyport’s harbormaster as a tuna area | |
| Jeffreys Ledge | 160 ft | Reached from Newburyport |
| Stellwagen Bank | ||
| Joppa Flat | 5 ft | Merrimack River mouth, Newburyport side |
| Salisbury Flat | 7 ft |
Outside Flag and Pigeon Hill
Newburyport’s harbormaster names Outside Flag and Pigeon Hill as tuna areas.
Jeffreys Ledge
Jeffreys Ledge is 160 ft deep and reached from Newburyport.
Stellwagen Bank
Stellwagen Bank is a named ground off this coast.
Joppa Flat and Salisbury Flat
These are river-mouth landmarks you pass when leaving the Merrimack, not tuna ground. Joppa Flat is 5 ft, on the Newburyport side of the mouth. Salisbury Flat is 7 ft.
How it’s fished and who fishes it
Two Newburyport offshore charters list yellowfin. For method, use the species guide. For bluefin and other tuna, see the tuna fishing guides.
Northeast Sportfishing
The Provider is a 42 ft WeSmac, run by Capt. Johnny Walker. The operation lists yellowfin on Northeast Sportfishing’s Fin & Field listing.
Mass Charter Fishing
Mass Charter Fishing is based at the Newburyport Boat Basin, and a testimonial names Capt. Kyle. The Northeast Canyons post comes from Mass Charter Fishing’s site. If you want to see the run before committing your own boat, charter with a local operator.
FAQ: yellowfin tuna fishing out of Newburyport
Do boats from Newburyport fish for yellowfin?
Yes. According to a Mass Charter Fishing post, yellowfin tuna fishing out of Newburyport happens offshore at the Northeast Canyons. Two local charters list yellowfin.
How far is the run to the canyons?
No distance is printed here. Plan from your chart and your fuel burn, and build in reserve for the return.
Is Jeffreys Ledge a yellowfin spot?
It is 160 ft deep and reached from Newburyport. The documented yellowfin run goes farther, to the canyons.
Where are Outside Flag and Pigeon Hill?
Newburyport’s harbormaster names both as tuna areas. No positions are given here, so check a chart.
Which buoy do local captains watch?
The Jeffrey’s Ledge Buoy forecast, linked from Two Captains’ home page. Read it alongside the official marine forecast.
Can I charter the run first?
Yes. Northeast Sportfishing (The Provider) and Mass Charter Fishing (Newburyport Boat Basin) both list yellowfin.
