White marlin fishing out of Martha’s Vineyard is a canyon fishery. Boats troll offshore, often on overnight trips. This guide covers the season, the run, the buoy and the local crews so you can decide when to go and where to look. For the species itself, start with our white marlin guide, and for the island’s harbors and grounds see the Martha’s Vineyard port page.
When white marlin are around Martha’s Vineyard
The white marlin season here falls in summer. Two local sources give slightly different windows. For broader regional timing, see the Northeast white marlin picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
Season by source
| Source | Months listed |
|---|---|
| Done Deal Charters (season table) | July through September |
| Fishsticks Charters seasons and species | July and August |
Both sources put July and August inside the window.
Where Vineyard boats run for white marlin
Vineyard boats run to the canyons for white marlin. The island’s named shoals and rips are inshore grounds.
The canyons
The canyon run is offshore, so plan it around the trip type covered in the methods section below.
Inshore grounds you pass
These island landmarks and inshore spots are known for other fishing, not for white marlin:
- Middle Ground: 3 ft, north side of the Vineyard, about 2.5 NM long east to west
- Bow Bell: western end of Middle Ground
- Lucas Shoal: Vineyard Sound, off Oak Bluffs and East Chop
- Tom’s Shoal: near Wasque, Chappaquiddick
- Mutton Shoal: Wasque area
- Squibnocket: west end of the Vineyard, a named striped bass spot
- Devil’s Bridge: a named striped bass spot on the Vineyard
- Rips off Gay Head Cliffs: western Vineyard near Aquinnah
Plot Middle Ground and the Wasque shoals with the Chart Contours layer before the run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Reading buoy 44020
NOAA NDBC station 44020 sits in Nantucket Sound at 41.497 N, 70.283 W. Check wind, wave height and wave period. Because the buoy is inside the sound, its readings describe the sound and not the canyons. Before you leave, check the National Weather Service forecast for the offshore run.
How white marlin are fished from the Vineyard
Local crews troll for white marlin, and overnight canyon trips are part of the fishery. For other billfish and general tackle, see our billfish guides.
Trolling
Trolling is the method local crews use for white marlin. You work the canyon water with lines in the water, covering ground while you look for fish.
Overnight canyon trips
Overnight canyon trips are a local method. Planning one comes down to three things:
- Fuel and range for the offshore run and the return
- Crew rest
- A forecast check that spans more than one day
Who fishes white marlin out of Martha’s Vineyard
Four local charters list white marlin:
- North Shore Charters: Captain Scott McDowell
- Tomahawk Charters: Capt. Buddy Vanderhoop, Tomahawk 3, a 35 ft Carolina Classic
- Captain Clarke Charters: Femme Fatale
- Done Deal Charters: vessel Done Deal, with Captain Canha named on the site
Fishing a trip with a local crew is one way to learn the run before taking your own boat.
FAQ: white marlin out of Martha’s Vineyard
When is the season for white marlin fishing out of Martha’s Vineyard?
Done Deal’s table lists July through September, and Fishsticks lists July and August. Both sources put July and August inside the window.
Do you find white marlin on Middle Ground or the Wasque shoals?
No. Those are inshore grounds known for other fishing. Boats run to the canyons for white marlin.
Are white marlin trips from the Vineyard overnight?
Overnight canyon trips are one of the local methods, alongside trolling. They require planning for fuel, crew rest and a multi-day forecast.
Which buoy do you check before the run?
NOAA NDBC station 44020 in Nantucket Sound. It reads the sound and not the canyons, so pair it with the official offshore forecast.
Which Martha’s Vineyard charters list white marlin?
North Shore Charters, Tomahawk Charters, Captain Clarke Charters and Done Deal Charters.
