Atlantic bluefin fishing out of Boston Harbor comes down to three decisions: when to go, how far to run, and which ground to plot. Suspect Charters runs about 25 miles from Boston Harbor, past Graves Light and across Massachusetts Bay, to Stellwagen Bank. This page collects the local details in one place: season windows from the fleet, the run, named grounds, local methods, and the operators who fish for bluefin from this port. For the species in general, start with the guide to Atlantic bluefin tuna.
When bluefin are off Boston
The fleet doesn’t agree on a single window, so each operator’s own claim is given below. For timing beyond this port, see the wider Northeast picture (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
Season windows
Three operators give three windows:
- CJ Victoria: June through November.
- Blueline: late June through September.
- Boston Fish Charters: giant bluefin start in mid-September.
The CJ Victoria and Blueline windows overlap from late June through September; their outer edges differ.
Giants
Boston Fish Charters says giant bluefin start in mid-September, which falls inside both the CJ Victoria and Blueline windows.
Where boats run from Boston Harbor
Stellwagen Bank is the named run. Suspect Charters puts it about 25 miles from Boston Harbor, with roughly 1 hour 20 minutes of running time.
The run to Stellwagen Bank
The route goes out of Boston Harbor, past Graves Light, across Massachusetts Bay and onto Stellwagen Bank. Those figures work out to about 19 mph. That is arithmetic on the operator’s numbers, not a speed recommendation.
Other grounds
CJ Victoria names Stellwagen Bank, Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Tillies Bank, Jeffreys Ledge and Middle Bank. Middle Bank is named as a bluefin ground off Boston. No bearing is given for Jeffreys Ledge, Tillies Bank, Middle Bank or B Buoy, so plot them from the chart.
Harbor structure and marks
The marks fall into three tiers. Inside the harbor are two artificial reefs, which are structure you pass on the way out rather than bluefin grounds. The outer harbor has Harbor Humps and B Buoy. The offshore bluefin grounds are the ones listed above. The Boston Harbor port map shows the harbor-side marks.
| Name | Location as given | Depth where given |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpin Ledge Channel artificial reef | Inside Boston Harbor | 23 ft |
| HubLine Boston Harbor artificial reef (Brewster Island) | Inside Boston Harbor | 26 ft |
| Harbor Humps | Outer Boston Harbor | |
| B Buoy | ||
| Stellwagen Bank | About 25 miles from Boston Harbor past Graves Light (Suspect Charters) | |
| Jeffreys Ledge | ||
| Tillies Bank | ||
| Middle Bank | Off Boston |
Plot these as waypoints before the run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Reading buoy 44013
NOAA NDBC station 44013, Boston, sits 16 NM east of Boston at 42.346 N, 70.651 W, on the water you cross between the harbor and the grounds. Read wind, wave height and period from NOAA NDBC station 44013 data, and compare them against the official marine forecast before the run.
How bluefin are fished here
Suspect Charters calls live bait the preferred method. Rigging detail is in our tuna guides.
Live bait
Live bait is fished with weights for deep-feeding fish and floats for surface fish (Suspect Charters).
Trolling
CJ Victoria cites trolling with lures or bait, along with live bait.
Jigging and popping
Legit Fish offers jigging and popping.
Who fishes bluefin out of Boston
Five local operators list Atlantic bluefin tuna:
- CJ Victoria Fishing Charters: Captain Rob Savino, 32-foot C.J. Victoria. Trolling with lures or bait, and live bait.
- Blueline Fishing Charters: Captain David Horte. Season late June through September.
- Legit Fish Sportfishing: Captain Mark Rowell. Jigging and popping.
- Get Tight Sport Fishing: Captain Brian Coombs, named in On The Water reports.
- Suspect Charters bluefin trips: Captain Jake and Shep. The 25-mile run to Stellwagen Bank. Live bait with weights or floats.
Methods differ by boat, so choose the boat whose method you want to see.
FAQ: Atlantic bluefin tuna out of Boston Harbor
When is bluefin season out of Boston Harbor?
CJ Victoria gives June through November. Blueline gives late June through September. Boston Fish Charters says giant bluefin start in mid-September.
How far is Stellwagen Bank from Boston Harbor?
Suspect Charters puts it at about 25 miles, past Graves Light and across Massachusetts Bay.
How long is the run to Stellwagen Bank?
Roughly 1 hour 20 minutes of running time, per Suspect Charters.
What method do local boats prefer for bluefin?
Suspect Charters prefers live bait, with weights for deep-feeding fish and floats for surface fish. CJ Victoria also cites trolling, and Legit Fish offers jigging and popping.
Which buoy should I check before running out?
NOAA NDBC station 44013, 16 NM east of Boston at 42.346 N, 70.651 W. Read wind, wave height and period, and compare them against the official marine forecast.
When do giant bluefin show up off Boston?
Boston Fish Charters says giant bluefin start in mid-September.
