Bigeye tuna trips out of Hyannis run July to October, the same windows as yellowfin. Boats leave Hyannis Harbor for the offshore canyons. This guide covers the season, the route, the structure along the way, the methods, and who runs the trips.
When bigeye are around Hyannis
Bigeye fishing out of Hyannis shares its trip windows with yellowfin: July to October, with the same trips covering both species. That matches the timing in our tuna guides, so plan bigeye days inside those months.
Where Hyannis boats run for bigeye
Distance and depth aren’t part of the picture here. What you can plan around is the departure point, the structure on the way out, and one buoy.
From Hyannis Harbor to the canyons
Boats depart Hyannis Harbor and run south and east to the offshore canyons (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide). The canyons are the destination, and everything between the breakwater and the canyon edge is transit.
Nantucket Shoals and the rips
The shoal complex east of the harbor is structure you clear and read on the way out. It is not a bigeye ground. Named features include:
- Nantucket Shoals, with water as thin as 3 feet
- Phelps Bank
- Davis Bank
- Middle Rip
- Asia Rip
- Fishing Rip
Reading conditions at buoy 44020
NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center station 44020 sits in Nantucket Sound at 41.497 N 70.283 W. Pull wind speed, wave height and dominant period from the NDBC station 44020 readings. Because the buoy is in the sound, it reports conditions at the departure end of the run rather than at the canyons. Compare its numbers with the official marine forecast before you commit to the run.
How bigeye are fished from Hyannis
Local methods match yellowfin, and trip length decides which one you use.
| Trip format | Method |
|---|---|
| Day trip | Trolling in daylight |
| 2-day and extended trips | Night bait and jigging, plus daytime trolling |
Day trolling
In daylight, boats troll.
Night bait and jigging on 2-day and extended trips
The 2-day and extended trips keep a boat at the canyons after dark, which is what makes night fishing possible. The night is fished with bait and jigging. For rigging and behavior, see our bigeye tuna fishing guide.
Who fishes for bigeye out of Hyannis
Helen H Offshore Fishing (Helen H Fleet) lists bigeye tuna. Its boats are John & Son I and John and Son II. The fleet runs day trolling, plus 2-day and extended trips that fish at night.
FAQ: bigeye tuna fishing out of Hyannis
When is bigeye season out of Hyannis?
Bigeye tuna fishing out of Hyannis runs July to October, in the same windows as yellowfin.
Where do Hyannis boats go for bigeye?
Boats leave Hyannis Harbor for the offshore canyons. Nantucket Shoals and the nearby banks and rips lie along the way out.
How are bigeye fished at night?
On 2-day and extended trips, boats stay on the grounds after dark and fish bait and jigs. In daylight, they troll.
Which buoy should I check?
NDBC 44020 in Nantucket Sound, at 41.497 N 70.283 W. Read wind, wave height and period. It covers the departure end of the run, not the canyons.
Who runs bigeye trips from Hyannis?
Helen H Offshore Fishing (Helen H Fleet), with John & Son I and John and Son II.
