Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole is an offshore fishery that runs June through November, with canyon runs of about 110 miles. This page covers the season, the distances, the structure you pass on the way out, the methods used locally and the boats that fish it. It’s useful before you plan fuel, crew and a weather window for a yellowfin run.
When yellowfin are off Falmouth / Woods Hole
Yellowfin season out of Falmouth runs June through November. The fish are found offshore at the canyons, not in Vineyard Sound.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season window | June through November |
| Where the fishery is | Offshore canyons |
| Where it is not | Vineyard Sound |
How far boats run
Machaca runs about 110 miles from Falmouth Harbor to the canyons. Castafari’s canyon trips run 70 to 100 miles south of Nantucket.
Distance drives fuel planning, so plan range for the round trip plus your time on the grounds. Before the run, check wind, wave height and period in the NWS marine forecast for Vineyard Sound and decide against your own limits and your boat’s. The regional picture is in our Northeast yellowfin guide (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide).
| Run | Distance |
|---|---|
| Falmouth Harbor to the canyons (Machaca) | About 110 miles |
| South of Nantucket to the canyons (Castafari) | 70 to 100 miles |
Structure on the run out
The places below are structure and landmarks on the route out of the harbor. None of them are yellowfin grounds.
| Ground | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hedge Fence Shoal | 20 ft | Between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth |
| Port Hunter wreck | 25 ft | West end of Hedge Fence Shoal |
| Nobska Light rips and boulder field | ||
| Stone Pier | Woods Hole | |
| Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground |
Hedge Fence Shoal
Hedge Fence Shoal shoals to 20 ft between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, in Vineyard Sound.
Port Hunter wreck
The Port Hunter wreck lies in 25 ft at the west end of Hedge Fence Shoal.
Nobska Light rips and boulder field
The Nobska Light rips and the boulder field off the light are a landmark on the route out.
Stone Pier, Woods Hole
Stone Pier is a landmark at Woods Hole.
Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground
Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground are charted grounds in the same waters.
How yellowfin are fished from this port
Three methods are used locally:
- Six-line trolling spreads by day
- Bait and jig fishing at night
- Chunking
Rigging and spread detail is on the yellowfin species page. Day and night methods make for different trips, so plan around the method you intend to fish.
Trolling by day
Boats troll six-line spreads during the day. This is the daylight method on this fishery.
Bait and jig at night
Bait and jig fishing is used locally at night. It changes fuel, crew and gear planning, so settle the plan before you leave the dock.
Chunking
Chunking is also used locally.
Who fishes yellowfin out of Falmouth
Three Falmouth tuna charter operations list yellowfin tuna. They fish the same water you would run to.
Castafari Sportfishing out of Falmouth
- Boat: 45 ft custom Jim Smith express
- Captain: Capt. Damon Sacco
- Canyon trips run 70 to 100 miles south of Nantucket.
Machaca Charters canyon trips
- Boat: The Machaca
- Captain: Capt. Willy Hatch, with first mate Ryan
- Runs about 110 miles to the canyons from Falmouth Harbor.
Tunacious Charters with Capt. Manthorne
- Captain: Capt. Bill Manthorne
- Lists yellowfin tuna.
FAQ: yellowfin tuna fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole
When is yellowfin season out of Falmouth?
June through November, offshore. The fish are at the canyons, so plan the trip around the run out to them rather than around the Sound.
How far is the canyon run from Falmouth?
About 110 miles from Falmouth Harbor. Castafari’s canyon trips run 70 to 100 miles south of Nantucket.
What methods do local boats use?
Boats troll six-line spreads by day, fish bait and jig at night, and chunk.
Do Hedge Fence Shoal or the Nobska rips hold yellowfin?
These are inshore structure on the route out of the harbor. The local yellowfin fishery is offshore at the canyons.
Where are the rules and other tuna species covered?
Federal Atlantic tunas rules and Massachusetts rules both apply; see the Regulations section above. Other species and ports are covered in our tuna fishing pages.
