When bluefin are off Wachapreague
Bluefin show up off Wachapreague in two windows: canyon eddies in May and June, and the Mile Hills in July, according to the 2009 reports. Fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna out of Wachapreague splits between a long canyon run and the nearer hills. Every distance on this page is measured from Wachapreague Inlet, the departure point covered in the Wachapreague port guide.
The Atlantic bluefin tuna guide covers the fish itself; this page covers Wachapreague. Plan the two windows as separate trips, one far and one near.
| Window | Where | Run from the inlet |
|---|---|---|
| May and June | Canyon eddies | About 50 miles |
| July | The Mile Hills | The nearer option |
Canyon eddies in May and June
Teaser Sportfishing, a Wachapreague charter, puts May and June as the canyon window, driven by warm-water eddies circulating through the canyons. Temperature breaks and depth changes push bait together, and the bait draws tuna.
For more on eddies and how bluefin move up the coast, see Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Northeast (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
The Mile Hills in July
The 2009 Wachapreague Inn reports put bluefin on 26 Mile Hill, the Crotch, Lumpy Bottom and Sam’s Hill in July. These are 2009 reports and not a guaranteed calendar, so use them to decide where to start looking rather than when the fish will be there.
Where boats run and what holds fish
Boats out of Wachapreague Inlet run either about 50 miles to the canyons or to a cluster of nearer hills. That choice sets your fuel, your weather window and your time on the water.
The named grounds, with the numbers each source gives:
| Ground | Depth or distance given | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Canyon | Canyons about 50 miles from the inlet | Teaser Sportfishing |
| 26 Mile Hill | 2009 Wachapreague Inn reports; Salt Water Sportsman | |
| 21 Mile Hill | Salt Water Sportsman | |
| The Crotch | 2009 Wachapreague Inn reports | |
| Lumpy Bottom | 2009 Wachapreague Inn reports | |
| Sam’s Hill | 2009 Wachapreague Inn reports | |
| Hump 7.5 miles SW of 26 Mile Hill | 70 ft | 2009 Wachapreague Inn reports |
| Parramore Reef | 55 ft | |
| Wachapreague Reef | 45 ft |
The hills and humps show up on Chart Contours, and OBS SST helps with reading canyon eddy edges. Chart layers are not for navigation.
The canyons
Washington Canyon is the canyon named for this port, about 50 miles from the inlet according to Teaser. That distance goes with the May and June eddy window, when warm water pushing through the canyons is the thing to look for.
21 and 26 Mile Hills
Salt Water Sportsman reports larger bluefin at 21 and 26 Mile Hills off Wachapreague, and the 2009 reports also place fish on 26 Mile Hill. These are the first two marks to put on the chart for a nearer-in trip.
The Crotch, Lumpy Bottom and Sam’s Hill
The 2009 reports name all three as bluefin grounds. Mark them on the chart alongside the hills, and plan a run that links them instead of committing to one.
Nearshore reefs
Parramore Reef (55 ft) and Wachapreague Reef (45 ft) are landmarks on the way out and are not bluefin grounds. They help you orient as you leave the inlet.
Reading conditions at the inlet
Before you commit to the inlet, read the tide and wind numbers at NOAA station WAHV2 data. The station is NOAA CO-OPS 8631044, Wachapreague Channel, at 37.608N 75.686W. Then check the official NWS marine forecast for the zone you will run through. Where the forecast and the observed numbers disagree, go by the numbers.
How bluefin are fished here
The 2009 reports describe trolling horse ballyhoo on pink smokers and blue/white islanders off the long riggers. For other techniques and species, see the tuna fishing guides.
The 2009 spread
The spread in the reports:
- Horse ballyhoo as the bait
- Pink smokers and blue/white islanders
- All fished off the long riggers
Treat this as a starting point rather than a recipe.
Working a hump
In the 2009 reports, one boat worked a 70-foot hump 7.5 miles southwest of 26 Mile Hill. Structure like this is worth marking on Chart Contours near the hill. The hump is a place to look, and nothing here promises fish.
Who fishes bluefin out of Wachapreague
Two Wachapreague charters list Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Teaser Sportfishing out of Wachapreague lists bluefin and describes the May and June canyon eddies and a run of about 50 miles, the same window and distance used for the canyon trip plan above.
Marlin Magic Charters runs Marlin Magic, a 37-foot Topaz Express Sportfisherman, with Capt Bill Tyson.
FAQ: bluefin tuna out of Wachapreague
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing best out of Wachapreague?
Teaser Sportfishing puts the canyon window in May and June, driven by warm-water eddies. The 2009 Wachapreague Inn reports put bluefin on the Mile Hills in July. Those are reports and not a promised calendar, so plan for both windows.
How far is the run from Wachapreague Inlet to the canyons?
About 50 miles, per Teaser Sportfishing. Washington Canyon is the canyon named for this port. That distance goes with the May and June eddy window and makes it the longer of the two trip plans.
Which hills hold bluefin off Wachapreague?
Salt Water Sportsman reports larger bluefin at 21 and 26 Mile Hills. The 2009 Wachapreague Inn reports also name the Crotch, Lumpy Bottom and Sam’s Hill as bluefin grounds. Mark all of them on the chart.
What spread do local boats troll for bluefin?
The 2009 reports describe horse ballyhoo on pink smokers and blue/white islanders, fished off the long riggers. One boat worked a 70-foot hump 7.5 miles southwest of 26 Mile Hill. Treat the 2009 spread as a starting point.
Which Wachapreague charters fish for bluefin?
Teaser Sportfishing and Marlin Magic Charters both list Atlantic bluefin tuna. Marlin Magic is a 37-foot Topaz Express Sportfisherman run by Capt Bill Tyson. Contact each directly for trip details.
Where do I read conditions before running the inlet?
Use NOAA station 8631044 (WAHV2) for tide and wind numbers, and the official NWS marine forecast for the zone you will run through. Decide from the observed numbers.
