Boston deep sea fishing focuses on two breeds of apex predator - Tuna and Sharks. Bluefin Tuna weighing over 1,200 pounds have been caught in the area’s famous fishing grounds, and you have five species of pelagic Shark to choose from. These days, most Tuna are more like 100 pounds than 1,000, but they still put up one heck of a fight. You can catch Sharks five times that, though, with Makos, Porbeagles, Blues, Threshers, and even Great Whites showing up offshore.
Fishing Seasons
Boston’s big game calendar runs June through October, with most of the action taking place in early fall. Bluefin Tuna arrive slightly earlier than the biggest Sharks but take longer to hit their peak. As the summer sun heats the protected waters nearby, the Tuna move to cooler spots further out. By September, the best action is a good 60 miles away, but it’s well worth it when you get there.
Fishing Spots
The heartland of Boston’s bluewater fishing is Stellwagen Bank. This vast marine reserve draws huge schools of Bluefin Tuna every year. They follow Herring and Squid migrations into its protected waters and set up shop until the seas get too warm in late summer. You can also find big Sharks like Makos and Blues here, and the large number of seals have been drawing Great Whites in recent years.
Blow past these famous waters and you’ll have much more room to fish. Stellwagen Bank is amazing, but boy is it busy sometimes. You can find massive Sharks around remote ocean ledges, and if you really want your work cut out for you there’s always the canyons. Head out 150 miles on a multi-day trip and you can target Blue and White Marlin, Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna, and the biggest Sharks this side of Hollywood.
Fishing Techniques
Boston’s Bluefin fishing has two main schools of thought. Many charter guides like to troll dressed baits or lures, getting ahead of the fish as they chase bait over the Bank. Other guides prefer using jigs. Soft plastics and metal jigs are both super effective against Bluefin Tuna, so it’s just down to personal preference. Throw them on the surface or try vertical jigging for marked fish below, you’re in for a treat either way.
You can often target Sharks alongside the Bluefin, feeding on the same schools of Squid and Herring. If they’re in a feeding frenzy, it can be as simple and casting baits into the foam. Dedicated Shark hunts will usually have you chumming the water first, though. This can be done with blocks of chum or with live bait. Whatever you do, one thing’s for certain - with 500-pound fish out there, you’re gonna need some pretty heavy tackle!
Need to Know
Fishing licenses are usually provided on Boston deep sea fishing trips. If not, you can buy them online or from approved local vendors. Tuna limits have been reduced to one fish per day as of January 2018. Any fish over 7 feet will stay with the boat by law, so bagging that monster trophy may be a risky tactic!
