Blue marlin fishing out of Shinnecock runs late June through September, and local captains tie the best blue chances to September. From Shinnecock Inlet, boats work named structure from 2.0 nm off the beach out to the shelf edge at Hudson Canyon. This page covers when to go, where to point the bow, what structure to put on the plotter, and who runs the fishery from this port.
When blue marlin are off Shinnecock
The window is long, but the blue marlin part of it is narrower. Plan around the month, not the whole season.
Season window
Sea Venture’s marlin season runs late June through September, with July through September the best of it. That line covers marlin generally and isn’t split by species, so it includes white marlin as well as blues.
| Period | What the local lines say |
|---|---|
| Late June | Start of Sea Venture’s marlin season |
| July through September | Best of the season, per Sea Venture |
| September | Blue marlin chances, per Fin Alley |
September and blues
Fin Alley ties blue marlin chances to September. If you plan one longer run for blues, schedule it inside that month. That is a way to frame your calendar and does not guarantee fish.
Where boats run and the grounds that hold them
The grounds run from the inlet outward in the order below. Distances for the first two are measured from the inlet. The last three are named marks on the way to the shelf edge.
| Ground | Depth | Distance from inlet |
|---|---|---|
| Shinnecock Reef | 76 to 84 ft | 2.0 nm south |
| Twelve Mile Reef | 123 to 143 ft | 12.0 nm |
| The Dip | – | – |
| Coimbra | – | – |
| Hudson Canyon (shelf edge) | – | – |
Put these reefs and the canyon on Chart Contours to see how the bottom steps off between them. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Shinnecock Reef
Shinnecock Reef sits 2.0 nautical miles south of Shinnecock Inlet in 76 to 84 ft. It is the first named structure on the way out.
Twelve Mile Reef
Twelve Mile Reef lies 12.0 nautical miles from both Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets, in 123 to 143 ft. It is shared ground between the two inlets.
The 17-mile mark
Fin Alley’s offshore fishing notes report a blue marlin landed 17 miles off the beach. That is a single fish and not a pattern, but it suggests a blue marlin run doesn’t always mean a canyon run.
The Dip and Coimbra
The Dip and Coimbra are the next named marks on the run offshore. Put both on your plotter alongside the reefs so you can fish your way out instead of making one long transit.
Hudson Canyon
Hudson Canyon marks the shelf edge, the far end of the run from Shinnecock. For the regional picture, see blue marlin on the Northeast shelf edge (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
How blue marlin are fished here
Local fishing for blue marlin is simple in outline: troll, and release what you catch.
Trolling
Fin Alley says marlin here come mostly on the troll. For spreads and general tactics, see the species guide.
Tag and release
Sea Venture tags and releases all billfish. That is Sea Venture’s practice, and it is a useful model if you are learning the fishery. For the wider set of billfish pages, see our billfish species set.
Who fishes for blue marlin out of Shinnecock
Two local charters list blue marlin. Running with a captain who works this water is one way to learn the grounds before you take your own boat out.
Sea Venture
Sea Venture’s charter listing shows "The Canyon Specialist," run by Capt. Peter Stassi, and Captain Experiences lists the boat at 40 ft. It lists blue marlin, runs the season line given above, and tags and releases all billfish.
Fin Alley Fishing Charters
Fin Alley Fishing Charters runs a 43 ft Tiara with Capt. Don Archer. It lists blue marlin, is the source of the 17-mile report, and ties blue chances to September.
FAQ about blue marlin fishing out of Shinnecock
What is the best month for blue marlin off Shinnecock?
Fin Alley ties blue marlin chances to September. Sea Venture’s marlin season runs late June through September, best July through September.
How far offshore have blue marlin been landed from Shinnecock?
Fin Alley reports a blue marlin landed 17 miles off the beach. Boats also run to the shelf edge at Hudson Canyon.
How deep is Twelve Mile Reef?
Twelve Mile Reef is 123 to 143 ft deep. It sits 12.0 nautical miles from both Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets.
Which Shinnecock charters list blue marlin?
Two charters list blue marlin:
- Sea Venture "The Canyon Specialist," Capt. Peter Stassi, a 40 ft boat per Captain Experiences
- Fin Alley Fishing Charters, a 43 ft Tiara with Capt. Don Archer
Do local boats release blue marlin?
Sea Venture tags and releases all billfish. That is Sea Venture’s practice and should not be read as a rule for every boat.
