Mahi-mahi fishing out of Nantucket is a summer fishery. Boats run to the canyons south of the island, about 100 miles offshore, and the fish are caught in daylight on that run. It makes for one long day with a single destination.
When mahi are around Nantucket
Mahi from this port are a summer fish, and the canyon run is the only mahi window this page covers. For regional timing on when the fish show up across the Northeast, see the Northeast mahi picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
Summer season
Summer is the season, and the canyon run is the mahi trip from this port.
| Season | Mahi from this port |
|---|---|
| Summer | Canyon run, about 100 miles south |
| Fall | Not a mahi window from this port |
Fall is a different fishery
Bonito Bar, on the western shore of Nantucket, is a fall spot. It falls outside the summer mahi window.
The canyon run south of Nantucket
Mahi trips from Nantucket are canyon trips. Boats run to the canyons south of the island, about 100 miles offshore, and that distance sets the shape of the whole day.
About 100 miles offshore
The run starts and ends at the Nantucket Harbor rock jetties, the stone arms protecting the harbor entrance.
A daylight fishery
Mahi are caught during the daytime on the canyon run. With about 100 miles each way, the trip takes a full day of daylight.
Named grounds and structure near Nantucket
The table below lists the named grounds and structure around the island. Mahi from this port are caught offshore on the canyon run rather than on these grounds, so treat the list as a reference for local names and shore positions.
| Name | Location note |
|---|---|
| Nantucket Harbor rock jetties | Rock jetties protecting the harbor entrance |
| Great Point Rip | Named local ground |
| The Gauls | Named local ground |
| Miacomet Rip | South shore, west of Miacomet |
| Sankaty Light / east side | Eastern shore near Sankaty Light |
| The Hooter | Named for the fairway buoy at the end of Muskeget Channel |
| Tuckernuck rips and the Madaket pass | Rip-edge pass between Madaket Harbor and Tuckernuck Island, western shore |
| Bonito Bar | Western shore, fished in the fall |
Harbor and north shore
Every run starts and ends at the rock jetties at the harbor entrance. Great Point Rip and The Gauls are the other named grounds on this side of the island.
South and east shore
Miacomet Rip sits on the south shore, west of Miacomet. Sankaty Light marks the eastern shore, and the east side takes its name from it.
Western shore and Muskeget
The Hooter is named for the fairway buoy at the end of Muskeget Channel. The Tuckernuck rips and the rip-edge pass between Madaket Harbor and Tuckernuck Island run along the western shore. Bonito Bar also sits on the western shore and is fished in the fall.
How mahi are fished and who fishes them
Out of this port, mahi are caught in daylight on the canyon run.
Caught on the canyon run
Mahi come during the day on canyon trips about 100 miles south of the island. For rigging and spread basics, see rigging and technique for mahi.
The Big Game Battle
The Big Game Battle is a mahi-mahi tournament out of Nantucket, usually held in July.
FAQ: mahi-mahi fishing out of Nantucket
When is mahi season out of Nantucket?
Summer.
How far do boats run for mahi from Nantucket?
Boats run to the canyons south of Nantucket, about 100 miles offshore.
Are mahi caught on the inshore rips around Nantucket?
Mahi from this port are caught in daylight on the canyon run.
When is The Big Game Battle?
The Big Game Battle is usually held in July.
What else can I target offshore from Nantucket, and where are the rules?
See the offshore gamefish guides for other species. The rules are covered in the Regulations section above.
