When mahi-mahi are around New Bedford / Fairhaven
Mahi-mahi fishing out of New Bedford / Fairhaven is a summer, offshore, deep-water game. The port’s named structure sits inshore in Buzzards Bay, and mahi trips run well past it. This guide covers when the fish are around, where boats run, the structure near the port, and who fishes for them. For the harbor itself, see the New Bedford / Fairhaven port guide.
July and August
Worth The Weight Fish Charters gives July and August for mahi, and MAC-ATAC Sportfishing says summer. Those are the windows local charters list, and they don’t guarantee fish. For the wider seasonal picture, read about mahi across the Atlantic Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide).
Reading conditions at BUZM3
The nearest station is NDBC Buzzards Bay station BUZM3, a C-MAN station at 41.397N 71.033W. It sits at the harbor end of the run, in Buzzards Bay. Read its wind speed, gusts and wave height where reported, alongside the official Buzzards Bay marine forecast. BUZM3 reads the bay. It says nothing about conditions about 30 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard or at the canyons.
What you can pull from each source:
- BUZM3: wind speed, gusts and wave height where reported, for the bay.
- Marine forecast: the official outlook for Buzzards Bay waters.
- Your own plotter and eyes: everything past the Elizabeth Islands.
Where boats run for mahi
Mahi trips from this port are long offshore runs. Local charters name two kinds of destination.
South of Martha’s Vineyard
Worth The Weight names a spot about 30 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard.
Canyon and South Side trips
Offshore Madore and B3 Charters list mahi on canyon and South Side trips.
| Destination | Listed by |
|---|---|
| About 30 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard | Worth The Weight |
| Canyon trips | Offshore Madore, B3 Charters |
| South Side trips | Offshore Madore, B3 Charters |
Grounds and structure near the port
These are port landmarks and structure that boats run past on the way out. None of them is listed as a mahi spot.
Off Round Hill and New Bedford Harbor
- 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: just offshore of New Bedford Harbor.
Fairhaven and upper bay
The structure here is the West Island rocky ledges (Fairhaven) and Cleveland Ledge.
Elizabeth Islands
- Sow and Pigs Reef: off the western end of Cuttyhunk, Elizabeth Islands.
- Quicks Hole
Chart layers are not for navigation.
How mahi are fished from this port, and who fishes them
Local charters list mahi on offshore trips, and none of them describe their methods. This section covers the approach and the operators.
Methods
Local charters list mahi on offshore canyon and South Side trips. For rigs, structure and technique, read how mahi are fished.
Local charters that list mahi
| Operator | Captain / boat | What it lists |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore Madore | Captain Alex Madore | Mahi on canyon and South Side trips |
| MAC-ATAC Sportfishing | Capt. Todd MacGregor, boat MAC-ATAC | Mahi in summer |
| B3 Charters (Buzzards Bay Bear Charters) | 28 ft True World by Master Marine | Mahi on canyon and South Side trips |
| Worth The Weight Fish Charters | Captain Ron, 25 ft Mako | Mahi in July and August, spot about 30 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard |
FAQ about mahi-mahi fishing out of New Bedford / Fairhaven
When are mahi around New Bedford / Fairhaven?
Worth The Weight gives July and August. MAC-ATAC gives summer.
How far do boats run for mahi from this port?
Mahi-mahi fishing out of New Bedford / Fairhaven means a long offshore run. Worth The Weight names a spot about 30 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Offshore Madore and B3 list mahi on canyon and South Side trips.
Do mahi show up on Buzzards Bay ledges like Great Ledge or Dumpling Rocks?
Local charters list mahi on offshore runs. The bay ledges are port structure that boats run past.
Which buoy should I check before the run?
Check BUZM3, Buzzards Bay, at 41.397N 71.033W, plus the official marine forecast. It reads the bay, not the offshore grounds.
Which local charters list mahi?
- Offshore Madore, with Captain Alex Madore, lists mahi on canyon and South Side trips.
- MAC-ATAC Sportfishing, with Capt. Todd MacGregor, lists mahi in summer.
- B3 Charters lists mahi on canyon and South Side trips from a 28 ft True World.
- Worth The Weight Fish Charters, with Captain Ron on a 25 ft Mako, lists mahi in July and August.
Where do I read about other offshore species?
See the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
