Striped bass fishing out of New Bedford and Fairhaven runs from the mid-May arrival through the late September and October fall run. Boats work the rocks and ledges of Buzzards Bay off New Bedford and Dartmouth, the ledges at West Island on the Fairhaven side, and the Cuttyhunk reefs in the Elizabeth Islands. Cuttyhunk guides troll lures on wire along the reefs, and local charters also run fly, light tackle and night trips. Harbor and navigation detail is on the New Bedford / Fairhaven port page.
When striped bass are here
Three windows matter out of New Bedford: the spring arrival, the fall run, and the Cuttyhunk reef fish that hold between them. For general biology and migration, see the striped bass species guide.
Spring arrival
Schools arrive in mid-May. The Northeast striped bass guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide) covers run timing along the wider coast.
Fall run
The fall run comes in late September and October and is the second main window for Buzzards Bay striped bass.
Cuttyhunk reef fish
Cuttyhunk bass hold on rocky reefs from spring through autumn, so the Elizabeth Islands fishery doesn’t depend on either run.
Where boats run from New Bedford and Fairhaven
Distances build in steps. Great Ledge sits just off the harbor, the Dumpling Rocks group lies across the bay off Round Hill in Dartmouth, and the longest run is out to Cuttyhunk in the Elizabeth Islands.
Great Ledge
Great Ledge lies just offshore of New Bedford Harbor. It is the closest named structure and is often fished together with Dumpling Rocks and Sandspit.
West Island ledges, Fairhaven
The rocky ledges at West Island are the closest named structure on the Fairhaven side.
Dumpling Rocks, Sandspit and Mishaum Ledge
Dumpling Rocks and Sandspit lie off Round Hill, Dartmouth. Mishaum Ledge is near the Dumpling Rocks group.
Cleveland Ledge
Cleveland Ledge is another named piece of structure in Buzzards Bay.
Quicks Hole and the Cuttyhunk shoreline
Quicks Hole and the rocky shoreline at Cuttyhunk, both in the Elizabeth Islands, are destinations on the longer run.
Sow and Pigs Reef
Sow and Pigs Reef lies off the western end of Cuttyhunk. Bass hold there on the same pattern as elsewhere around Cuttyhunk, on rocky reefs from spring through autumn.
Reading conditions
The nearest NOAA station is NDBC station BUZM3 readings, in Buzzards Bay at 41.397N 71.033W. For the official marine forecast, use the NWS Buzzards Bay coastal forecast for zone ANZ234, and compare it with the buoy.
Before the longer run to Cuttyhunk, check these as numbers:
- Wind speed and direction
- Wave height
- Dominant wave period
Chart layers in Breakpoint are not for navigation.
How striped bass are fished here
Each local method is tied to a ground and an operator. For other inshore and offshore species, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
Wire trolling the Cuttyhunk reefs
Cuttyhunk guides troll lures on wire along the rocky reefs. This is the method used at Sow and Pigs and along the Cuttyhunk shoreline.
Fly and light tackle
Lisa G Charters, run by Captain Russell Wright, offers fly, light tackle, trolling and spincasting.
Night trips for big fish
MAC-ATAC Sportfishing runs trophy striper trips and night fishing.
Who fishes for striped bass out of this port
These local charters list striped bass:
- On The Edge Charters: Captain Rick Medeiros
- Offshore Madore: Captain Alex Madore
- MAC-ATAC Sportfishing: Capt. Todd MacGregor, boat MAC-ATAC
- Lisa G Charters: Captain Russell Wright, boat Lisa G, a 2006 23′ Jones Brothers center console
- B3 Charters (Buzzards Bay Bear Charters): 28 foot True World by Master Marine
- Worth The Weight Fish Charters: Captain Ron, 25 ft Mako
FAQ about striped bass fishing out of New Bedford / Fairhaven
When do striped bass arrive at New Bedford and Fairhaven?
Schools arrive in mid-May, which starts the striped bass season out of New Bedford and Fairhaven.
When is the fall run?
The fall run is late September and October. Cuttyhunk reef fish hold from spring through autumn.
How far do boats run for striped bass?
It depends on the ground. Great Ledge is just off the harbor, the Round Hill group is across the bay off Dartmouth, and Cuttyhunk and Sow and Pigs are the longer run.
What is wire trolling used for here?
Cuttyhunk guides troll lures on wire along the rocky reefs.
Which charters fish at night?
MAC-ATAC Sportfishing, with Capt. Todd MacGregor, runs night fishing and trophy striper trips.
Where do I check wind and waves?
Use BUZM3 in Buzzards Bay and the NWS forecast for zone ANZ234. Read wind speed, wave height and period as numbers, and treat the forecast as a forecast.
