Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Chatham is a canyon trip. Boats reach the fish by running overnight to the offshore canyons. The grounds close to port are local structure and reference points, and the yellowfin run goes past them. Ramps, the inlet and bar detail are on the Chatham port page. This page covers the run, the named grounds with distances and depths, who fishes yellowfin from this port, and the rules that apply.
When yellowfin are within reach of Chatham
Yellowfin come within reach of Chatham once the trip is to the offshore canyons. Timing follows the canyon water, not the inshore grounds. The regional seasonal picture and canyon names are in the Northeast yellowfin guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
If you are visiting, the tuna near the beach are bluefin. A yellowfin plan from Chatham is a canyon plan.
The run: offshore canyons overnight
Chatham boats run to the offshore canyons, and the trip is an overnight one. Chatham Inlet and Stage Harbor are the departure references, and boats working south go around Monomoy. The bar and inlet detail is on the port page.
Before you commit to a night offshore, read the edge on OBS SST and the shelf break on Chart Contours. Chart layers are not for navigation, so pull the wind, wave height and period numbers from the official forecast before you leave the dock.
Grounds and structure near Chatham
These are the named grounds and reference points near Chatham. They are local structure, and the yellowfin run is to the canyons.
| Ground | Depth | Position from Chatham |
|---|---|---|
| Nauset | North up the beach | |
| Crab Ledge | About 6 miles east of Chatham Inlet | |
| Monomoy rips | ||
| Harwich artificial reef | South of Saquatucket Harbor, Nantucket Sound | |
| Regal Sword (wreck) | 210 ft | About 25 miles southeast |
| BC Buoy (buoy removed) | Basically due east, in the shipping lanes | |
| BB Buoy (buoy removed) | 200 ft | Due east of Nantucket, about 40 miles from Monomoy |
Nauset
Nauset is a marsh and inlet tuna ground, north up the beach from Chatham.
Crab Ledge
Crab Ledge sits about 6 miles east of Chatham Inlet. It is the closest named offshore structure, though it is not where the yellowfin are.
Monomoy rips
The Monomoy rips are local rip structure off Monomoy.
Harwich artificial reef
The reef lies south of Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich, in Nantucket Sound.
Regal Sword wreck
The Regal Sword wreck lies in 210 ft, about 25 miles southeast of Chatham, per The Fisherman.
BC Buoy
The buoy was removed, and BC is now a reference point. It sits basically due east of Chatham, in the shipping lanes.
BB Buoy
The buoy was removed, and BB is now a reference point. It sits in 200 ft, due east of Nantucket, about 40 miles from Monomoy.
How it is fished and who fishes it
This section covers how yellowfin trips from Chatham are run and who offers them.
Methods
The local yellowfin trip is the overnight canyon run. For technique, use the yellowfin tuna fishing guide.
Fish Chatham Charters
Fish Chatham Charters trip options list yellowfin tuna. The boat is Shearwater, a 38 ft Northern Bay docked at Stage Harbor, run by Captain John. It is the option if you want the canyon trip without running your own boat.
FAQ: yellowfin tuna fishing out of Chatham
How far is the run for yellowfin from Chatham?
The run is to the offshore canyons, as an overnight trip. The grounds within about 6 to 40 miles are local reference points, not the yellowfin destination.
Is it a day trip?
No. Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Chatham means an overnight trip to the canyons.
Do yellowfin come to Crab Ledge?
Crab Ledge is local structure about 6 miles east of Chatham Inlet. The yellowfin run from Chatham is to the canyons.
Where are BB and BC now that the buoys are gone?
Both are reference points. BC is basically due east of Chatham, in the shipping lanes. BB is in 200 ft, due east of Nantucket, about 40 miles from Monomoy.
Is there a charter for yellowfin out of Chatham?
Yes. Fish Chatham Charters lists yellowfin tuna. The boat is Shearwater, a 38 ft Northern Bay at Stage Harbor, run by Captain John.
What other tuna can I target from Chatham?
Bluefin are the local tuna closer to the beach. See the tuna fishing guides for the rest.
