Where boats run for bigeye from New Bedford / Fairhaven
Bigeye tuna fishing out of New Bedford / Fairhaven is a canyon run of 100+ miles each way. The New Bedford / Fairhaven port page covers the harbor and the water around it. This page covers the run distance, the trip format, the named grounds near port, the local boats that list bigeye, the station to check before you leave, and where the rules live. For the fish itself, see the bigeye tuna guide.
The canyon run (100+ miles each way)
The local bigeye trip goes to the canyons. Offshore Madore lists big eye on its overnight canyon trip at 100+ miles each way. The Atlantic Northeast picture (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide) covers canyons and season across the region.
Two kinds of water come up on this page: the named grounds below, which sit near port, and the canyon water the bigeye trip runs to.
The overnight trip
The only bigeye trip format listed from this port is an overnight canyon trip, offered by Offshore Madore. Plan around that format and the 100+ mile distance each way.
Named grounds and structure near port
These named grounds lie near port and along the way toward the Elizabeth Islands. They are local structure rather than bigeye water, since the listed bigeye trips run to the canyons. Chart layers are not for navigation; run from official charts.
Round Hill and Dartmouth
- Dumpling Rocks: just off Round Hill, Dartmouth.
- Sandspit: off Round Hill, Dartmouth, with Dumpling Rocks and Great Ledge.
- Mishaum Ledge: near the Dumpling Rocks trio.
Great Ledge and West Island
- Great Ledge: just offshore of New Bedford Harbor.
- West Island: rocky ledges off Fairhaven.
Toward Cuttyhunk
- Sow and Pigs Reef: off the western end of Cuttyhunk, Elizabeth Islands.
- Quicks Hole: a named ground on the way to the Elizabeth Islands.
Cleveland Ledge
- Cleveland Ledge: a named ground among the structure of Buzzards Bay.
Who fishes for bigeye out of this port
Two local charters list bigeye.
Offshore Madore
- Captain: Alex Madore.
- Lists big eye on its overnight canyon trip.
- Run: 100+ miles each way.
Strike 2 Fishing Charters
- Captain: Bruce Calvin.
- Boat: 30 ft Black Watch (1990).
- Lists bigeye tuna among its species.
- Listing: Strike 2 Fishing Charters listing.
For other tuna from the region, see our tuna fishing guides.
Reading conditions before the run
The nearest NOAA station is NDBC C-MAN station BUZM3, Buzzards Bay, MA, at 41.397N 71.033W. Check the NDBC station BUZM3 data before you leave.
Look at three numbers:
- Wind speed and direction.
- Wave height.
- Wave period.
Read them alongside the official NWS marine forecast for Buzzards Bay. BUZM3 is a bay station, so it shows the water at the start of the run, not at the canyons 100+ miles away.
FAQ about bigeye tuna fishing out of New Bedford / Fairhaven
How far is the run for bigeye from New Bedford / Fairhaven?
The listed bigeye trip runs to the canyons, 100+ miles each way, so plan for that distance in both directions.
Do local charters run bigeye trips?
Offshore Madore (Capt. Alex Madore) lists big eye on its overnight canyon trip. Strike 2 Fishing Charters (Capt. Bruce Calvin, 30 ft Black Watch, 1990) lists bigeye tuna among its species.
Which station shows conditions before leaving?
NDBC C-MAN station BUZM3, Buzzards Bay, at 41.397N 71.033W. Read wind, wave height and wave period alongside the official forecast. The station describes the bay, not the canyons.
Do bigeye hold on the inshore ledges?
The listed bigeye trips run to the canyons. Great Ledge, Sow and Pigs Reef and the other named marks are inshore structure near port.
Where are the rules?
Massachusetts rules and federal rules for Atlantic tunas can both apply. Check both pages before fishing.
