There’s a couple more days of swell to deal with from Hurricane Erin, so fishermen have the opportunity to regroup and reorganize their gear for the next weather window sometime next week. Before the storm, giant tuna fishing was improving, slowly, north of Cape Cod, yellowfin were biting well off New Jersey, and the canyons were loaded.
(Above: Tom Truehart and friends found yellowfin from 40 to 65 miles out earlier this week.)
Northern New England
Captain Bob of Seacoast Sportfishing in New Hampshire reported pogies are pushing deep into Ipswich Bay with scattered giant tuna taken from Jeffreys Ledge to Pigeon Hill. Scantum Bank has revived with herring and mackerel drawing fish, and while blue sharks are thick some days, threshers haven’t yet made an appearance.
Joe at Fisherman’s Outfitter in Gloucester says it’s been “onesie-twosie” giants around Boston Harbor pogies, with scattered sharks and tuna from Stellwagen north to Jeffreys. Nothing consistent—just be in the right place at the right time.
Captain Connor at Monahan’s Marine in Weymouth says Oceanographer Canyon has been hot with yellowfin, bigeye, and even blue marlin. Swordfishing remains steady, with one client going 1-for-4 on live baits. Whispers of recreational-sized bluefin around Stellwagen may be a good sign of a run-and-gun fishery this fall.
Rhode Island to Long Island
Captain Chris Oliver of Keeping It Real Sportfishing reported smaller yellowfin east of Montauk and scattered bigeye showing but not cooperating. Mahi rounded out the catches before Hurricane Eron’s blow forced boats back to the dock.
Jeff at Whitewater Outfitters said yellowfin and giants in the 30- to 40-mile range have been consistent, with a developing chunk bite that cleaned out local bait freezers. Hudson and West Atlantis have been hot for white marlin.
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New Jersey
Captain Anthony of Narced Up Charters out of Shark River had yellowfin on the troll plus a surprise white marlin that aired out twice before a long-distance release. Cole from Salty Love Sportfishing reported steady jigging for bluefin before the closure, and now yellowfin along the 40-fathom line.
The Reel Seat in Brielle noted bigeyes, yellowfin, and longfin in the canyons between Block and Hudson, with chunking starting to come alive. Inshore pots are holding mahi, while offshore pots are producing big ones.
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Canyon Runner Report with Captain Deane Lambros
Captain Greg Mayer and the Fishing Frenzy found action east of Oregon Inlet toward Triple Zeros. Scattered catches of tuna, dolphin, mahi-mahi, and white marlin were reported. While hot summer water often makes for “scrappy” fishing, Mayer continues to produce solid results.
Yellowfin tuna action has been excellent around West Wall and Norfolk Canyon, with many anglers also encountering white marlin. This area has been the most consistent yellowfin bite on the East Coast over the past month, producing high-quality fish.
Mixed catches of dolphin, yellowfin, and blue marlin were reported, with much of the action centered near the 100-fathom line. Tuna fishing was decent between 20 and 30 fathoms in the “food court” areas like the Hot Dog, Hambone, Pork Chop, and Tea Cup.
Boats reported scattered white and blue marlin, dolphin, and some tuna, with a push of blue water improving conditions. East of Cape May near the Cigar, blue marlin, dolphin, and bluefin tuna were also caught.
The standout bite of the week came Tom’s Canyon, with spectacular action on bigeye, yellowfin, longfin, and especially white marlin. Boats fishing the Beach Haven Invitational saw double-digit white marlin hookups, with some reporting 40+ bites overnight—proof that great marlin fishing happens well east of the Hudson. Triple Wrecks and Bacardi also held yellowfin earlier in the week.
The Hamptons Offshore Shootout produced excellent bigeye, wahoo, yellowfin, longfin, and dolphin catches from areas like Zig Zag, Dip, and Fishtails. While recreational bluefin tuna is now closed, catch-and-release action remains strong south of Montauk, with scattered giants just 12 miles off Shinnecock.
East and West Atlantis, along with the Fishtails, are producing bigeye, yellowfin, longfin, wahoo, and classic dolphin catches. South of Block Island, white marlin are showing in better numbers, with larger-than-usual fish reported off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
A textbook setup of clean blue water in the mid-70s has fueled outstanding action on bigeye, yellowfin, longfin, and dolphin. Swordfishing has been excellent during the daytime, with more anglers reporting consistent bites.
Scattered reports of bluefin are finally trickling in from Stellwagen and Jeffrey’s, though overall, it’s been a very slow season. Commercial fishermen have struggled, with many calling it the toughest bluefin year in over a decade.