Wahoo fishing out of Chatham: when the fish are around
No Chatham operator gives a wahoo season, so there is no published window to plan around. This guide covers where boats run, what each named ground is, and how the local method works. It shows where to look, and it does not promise fish will be there.
Chatham opens to the Atlantic through the inlet bar and to Nantucket Sound through Stage Harbor. For the species picture, read our wahoo fishing guide. For the regional picture, read wahoo in the Atlantic Northeast (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
- Where boats run: the Shipping Lanes east of Chatham
- Reference point: the BC Buoy
- Method: trolling lures
- Rules: one short section at the end
Where boats run: the Shipping Lanes and the BC Buoy
Boats run to the Shipping Lanes east of Chatham, which the BC Buoy marks, basically due east of town. No distance is given, so plan the run from your own position and the chart.
There is no buoy to look for. The physical BC Buoy has been removed, and anglers still use the name for the spot it held.
- Type: reference point, buoy removed
- Bearing: basically due east of Chatham
- Water: the Shipping Lanes
Grounds and structure near Chatham
The offshore references are the Regal Sword wreck, the BB Buoy and the BC Buoy. The nearer grounds are Crab Ledge, Nauset, the Monomoy rips and the Harwich artificial reef. None of these positions means wahoo hold on a given spot.
| Spot | Type | Depth | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC Buoy | Reference point, buoy removed | Basically due east of Chatham, in the Shipping Lanes | |
| Regal Sword | Wreck | 210 ft | About 25 miles southeast of Chatham |
| BB Buoy | Reference point, buoy removed | 200 ft | Due east of Nantucket, about 40 miles from Monomoy |
| Crab Ledge | Ledge ground | About 6 miles east of Chatham Inlet | |
| Nauset | Marsh and inlet tuna ground | North up the beach from Chatham | |
| Monomoy rips | Named local structure | ||
| Harwich artificial reef | Artificial reef | South of Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich, Nantucket Sound |
Chart layers are not for navigation.
BC Buoy
It sits basically due east of Chatham, in the Shipping Lanes. The buoy has been removed.
Regal Sword wreck
The wreck lies in 210 ft, about 25 miles southeast of Chatham, per The Fisherman’s report.
BB Buoy
The BB Buoy position is in 200 ft, due east of Nantucket and about 40 miles from Monomoy. The buoy has been removed, so treat it as a reference point only.
Crab Ledge
Crab Ledge is about 6 miles east of Chatham Inlet.
Nauset
Nauset is a marsh and inlet tuna ground, north up the beach from Chatham.
Monomoy rips
The Monomoy rips are a named local structure off Monomoy.
Harwich artificial reef
The reef lies south of Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich, in Nantucket Sound. It is the only spot listed here on the Sound side.
How wahoo are fished here, and who fishes for them
The local method is trolling a variety of lures designed for these species. It is the same spread offshore boats run for other pelagics, and nothing about it is specific to wahoo.
Boats on offshore trolling trips to the Shipping Lanes fish for wahoo alongside other offshore pelagics. For the wider set of species, see our offshore gamefish guides.
- Method: trolling lures
- Water: the Shipping Lanes east of Chatham
- Mixed trips: wahoo are one of several offshore pelagics
FAQ about wahoo fishing out of Chatham
Is there a wahoo season out of Chatham?
No Chatham operator states one. With no published window to plan around, build the trip around the grounds and the method rather than a date.
Where do Chatham boats run for wahoo?
Boats run to the Shipping Lanes east of Chatham, which the BC Buoy marks. The physical buoy has been removed, and the name is still used for the position.
Where is the BC Buoy?
It sits basically due east of Chatham, in the Shipping Lanes. The buoy has been removed, and anglers use the name as a reference point for the position it held.
How deep is the Regal Sword?
The wreck lies in 210 ft, about 25 miles southeast of Chatham, per The Fisherman. Treat it as a named offshore reference.
How are wahoo fished from Chatham?
The local method is trolling a variety of lures designed for these species, the same approach used for other offshore pelagics.
What rules apply to wahoo?
Wahoo are not on the MassDMF recreational table, so federal Atlantic rules apply. Check MassDMF and NOAA Fisheries before fishing.
