When bluefin are off Chatham
Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Chatham runs June through November, according to Fish Chatham Charters. Boats leave through Chatham Inlet or Stage Harbor and head east toward the ledges and lanes off Monomoy. The Chatham port guide has ramps, marinas, inlet notes, and where to read conditions.
For biology and the general picture, see the species guide. For fishing beyond this port, see the wider Northeast picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide).
Locals work the 100 to 150 ft contour, with about 100 ft as the shallow edge of that band. Every ground below is read against that depth.
| Season window | Source |
|---|---|
| June through November | Fish Chatham Charters |
Where boats run from Chatham
Crab Ledge is the close option, and the Regal Sword and the BB Buoy are the long runs. Distances are from Chatham, as stated for each ground.
| Ground | Position from Chatham | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Ledge | About 6 mi east of Chatham Inlet | not listed |
| Nauset | North up the beach (marsh and inlet) | not listed |
| BC Buoy (buoy removed) | Basically due east of Chatham, in the shipping lanes | not listed |
| Regal Sword wreck | About 25 mi southeast of Chatham | 210 ft |
| BB Buoy (buoy removed) | Due east of Nantucket, about 40 mi from Monomoy | 200 ft |
| Monomoy rips | not listed | not listed |
| Harwich artificial reef | South of Saquatucket Harbor, Nantucket Sound | not listed |
Crab Ledge
Crab Ledge sits about 6 mi east of Chatham Inlet. It is the closest named ground on this list, so it is a natural first stop for a boat new to the port.
Nauset
Nauset is a marsh and inlet tuna ground north up the beach from Chatham.
BC Buoy
The BC Buoy sits basically due east of Chatham, in the shipping lanes. The buoy has been removed, so the name now describes the water around a former buoy position rather than an exact point. Expect ship traffic.
Regal Sword
The Regal Sword wreck sits in 210 ft, about 25 miles southeast of Chatham, according to The Fisherman. It is one of the long runs from this port.
BB Buoy
The BB Buoy is in 200 ft, due east of Nantucket and about 40 mi from Monomoy. Like the BC, its buoy has been removed and the name refers to a reference point. It is the longest run on this list.
Monomoy rips and the Harwich reef
The Monomoy rips are a named local ground. The Harwich artificial reef lies south of Saquatucket Harbor in Nantucket Sound.
BC and BB are former buoy sites, so you fish the water around a charted reference instead of a physical mark. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How it’s fished out of Chatham
Four methods are used locally. The full method write-ups cover each one in depth.
- Trolling spreader bars and rigged ballyhoo
- Jigging
- Popping or topwater
- Live bait drifted under kites or balloons, which anglers call kite fishing
Working the contour
Whatever the method, locals work the 100 to 150 ft contour, with about 100 ft as the shallow edge of the band.
Who fishes bluefin out of Chatham
Four charter operations list Atlantic bluefin tuna out of Chatham, and one tournament runs from the port.
| Operation | Boat | Dock or detail |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Chatham Charters | 38 ft Northern Bay Shearwater | Stage Harbor, Captain John |
| Down East Charters | F/V Rainmaker, 33 ft Grady White Canyon; F/V Isla Grace, 26 ft Regulator | Lists both boats |
| Outermost Harbor Marine | F/V Rainmaker, 33 ft Grady White Canyon; F/V Isla Grace, 26 ft Regulator | Lists both boats |
| Liveliner Sportfishing | 28 ft Grady White, twin 150 HP Honda engines | Chatham |
Fish Chatham Charters
Fish Chatham Charters runs the 38 ft Northern Bay Shearwater out of Stage Harbor with Captain John. It is also the source of the June through November season.
Down East Charters and Outermost Harbor Marine
Down East Charters trips and Outermost Harbor Marine charters both list the same two boats: F/V Rainmaker, a 33 ft Grady White Canyon, and F/V Isla Grace, a 26 ft Regulator.
Liveliner Sportfishing
Liveliner Sportfishing fishes a 28 ft Grady White with twin 150 HP Honda engines.
Monomoy Shootout
The Monomoy Shootout is a bluefin tournament out of Chatham, usually held in August.
FAQ: Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Chatham
When is the bluefin season at Chatham?
June through November, according to Fish Chatham Charters.
How far is Crab Ledge from Chatham?
About 6 mi east of Chatham Inlet. It is the closest named ground on this list.
What are the BC and BB Buoys?
Both are reference points where buoys used to be, and both buoys have been removed. The BC is basically due east of Chatham, in the shipping lanes. The BB is in 200 ft, due east of Nantucket, about 40 mi from Monomoy.
How deep is the Regal Sword wreck?
210 ft, about 25 mi southeast of Chatham.
What depth do locals fish for bluefin?
The 100 to 150 ft contour, with about 100 ft as the shallow edge.
What tournament fishes bluefin from Chatham?
The Monomoy Shootout, usually in August.
