Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of New London / Waterford happens offshore, south of Montauk and Block Island. Keepin’ It Reel runs it from June into November, and the Marlintini and Lucky Strike tuna schedules run July to October. The species guide covers the fish itself. This page covers the port: the months, the run, the landmarks, the method and the boats that fish it.
When Bluefin Are Off New London
Keepin’ It Reel runs bluefin from June into November, weather and fish permitting. Marlintini and Lucky Strike schedule tuna from July to October.
| Operator | Listed window |
|---|---|
| Keepin’ It Reel | June into November, weather and fish permitting |
| Marlintini | July to October |
| Lucky Strike | July to October |
The three schedules overlap from July through October. Keepin’ It Reel’s window adds June at the start and November at the end. No listing says the fish are there every day in those months. For the regional picture across southern New England and beyond, see the wider Northeast fishery (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
Where Boats Run for Bluefin From Waterford and New London
Boats out of New London run offshore, south of Montauk and Block Island. The bluefin fishing from this port is offshore, not in the Sound.
Marlintini runs 12-hour trips up to 30 miles south of Block Island and Montauk, so a run that far takes a full 12-hour day.
Whether you make the run depends on wind, wave height and period in the official NWS marine forecast, so read the numbers there before you leave the dock. For harbor access, ramps and marinas, see the New London / Waterford port page.
Structure on the Way Out
The Race, Bartlett Reef, The Spindle, Watch Hill reefs and Black Point are named structure near the port. The bluefin fishing happens farther offshore, so use these as reference points on the way out rather than as tuna grounds.
Run from your chart. This is not navigation guidance.
The Race
The Race is named structure near the port and a reference point on the way out toward open water. Local boats pass it, and the listed bluefin trips run well beyond it.
Bartlett Reef and The Spindle
The Spindle is a navigational aid on the rock pile at the south end of Bartlett Reef. Use it as a marker for the reef.
Watch Hill Reefs
Watch Hill reefs are named reef structure near the port, east of New London.
Black Point
Black Point is a named local point and reference mark.
How Bluefin Are Fished Here
Keepin’ It Reel prefers jig and pop: casting jigs and topwater poppers to bluefin you can see.
Marlintini and Sound Charters list 12-hour offshore shark and tuna trips and do not name a method. Trolling, chunking and other tuna species and methods are covered in our tuna fishing guides.
Who Fishes for Bluefin Out of This Port
Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing lists Atlantic bluefin tuna from New London / Waterford. Marlintini, Sound Charters and Lucky Strike run tuna or shark and tuna trips.
- Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing: lists Atlantic bluefin, June into November, jig and pop. See Keepin’ It Reel tuna trips.
- Marlintini: 12-hour shark and tuna trips up to 30 miles south of Block Island/Montauk, July to October.
- Sound Charters: 12-hour offshore shark and tuna trips, no named method.
- Lucky Strike: tuna schedule July to October.
FAQ: Bluefin Out of New London / Waterford
When do bluefin show up off New London?
Keepin’ It Reel runs bluefin from June into November, weather and fish permitting. The Marlintini and Lucky Strike tuna schedules run July to October.
How far do boats run for bluefin from Waterford?
Boats run offshore, south of Montauk and Block Island. Marlintini runs 12-hour trips up to 30 miles south of Block Island and Montauk.
Do boats fish bluefin in The Race?
The Race is named structure near the port. The bluefin trips listed from this port run offshore, south of Montauk and Block Island, so The Race is a reference point on the way out.
What method do local captains use?
Keepin’ It Reel prefers jig and pop, casting to bluefin it can see. Marlintini and Sound Charters list 12-hour offshore shark and tuna trips without naming a method.
Which charters fish bluefin out of New London?
Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing lists Atlantic bluefin tuna. Marlintini, Sound Charters and Lucky Strike run tuna or shark and tuna trips.
