Offshore Fishing Report 6-20-13

With a summertime pattern of more-settled weather moving in, it looks as if some big-game action should be in the cards over the next 7 to 10 days.

By OTW StaffJune 20, 2013

With a summertime pattern of more-settled weather moving in, it looks as if some big-game action should be in the cards over the next 7 to 10 days.

New York and New Jersey Offshore Fishing Report

Sharks are showing up in bigger numbers in New Jersey and New York. A 282.8-pound mako shark took first place in the Freeport-Hudson Anglers 41st Annual Shark Tournament, while a 240-pound mako took second place. Shark fishing should continue to improve just in time for the 43rd Annual Shark Tag Tournament out of Montauk Marine Basin.

There has been good sharking action off the South Shore of Long Island, with anglers catching many blue sharks, makos to the mid-200-pound range, and some threshers. Trophy Tackle in West Babylon also had some offshore news of makos and bluefin tuna at the Chicken Canyon.

New England Tuna and Offshore Fishing Report

There are some giants swimming in Cape Cod waters! Jeffrey Richardson, first mate aboard the F/V Cynthia C, shared this photo of a 112-inch bluefin taken last week. — There are some giants swimming in Cape Cod waters! Jeffrey Richardson, first mate aboard the F/V Cynthia C out of Sandwich, shared this photo of a 112-inch bluefin taken last week.

After a good start to the week, bluefin tuna fishing went cold this week. There are still plenty of giants out there, but they have been mostly cruising the surface, not feeding heavily or striking lures. Commercial stickboats (harpooners) have been having banner days while rod and reel fishermen have been frustrated.

Dan at The Hook Up in Orleans suggested that the big tides associated with this weekend’s full moon are to blame for the slowdown in the tuna fishing. With many boats competing in this weekend’s Hyannis TunaFest, there should be hundreds of folks off the backside of the Cape this weekend. We will learn quickly if the bite turns back on, or if someone finds a way to get the bluefin to chew.

OTW Staff

The On The Water staff is made up of experienced anglers from across the Northeast who fish local waters year-round. The team brings firsthand, on-the-water experience and regional knowledge to coverage of Northeast fisheries, techniques, seasonal patterns, regulations, and conservation.

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