September has officially arrived, and with it comes what many call the “second season” of fishing. Offshore conditions are showing a clear shift into fall, with colder nights and more persistent winds than forecasted. A recent north blow surprised many, forcing boats to turn back, and overall, anglers are noting rougher conditions than expected. Fall in the Northeast tends to be unpredictable, with wind speeds often running five miles per hour higher than forecast and lasting longer. Despite a recent 48-hour stretch of hard northeast winds, the seas have now settled, though the upcoming weekend may be challenging for many boats. Anglers are advised to count their days carefully, as fall windows are short and valuable.
Water temperatures remain favorable for offshore species, with a large eddy currently generating some of the best fishing seen in years. Boats working along the sharp edge of this eddy have been catching elephant tuna in staggering numbers, ranging from 20 on the low end to 75 to 100 on the high side, with many fish being released and some keepers reaching 60 to 90 pounds. Both day and night fishing have been productive, with night sets producing up to 25 swordfish in a single outing. This eddy’s rotation is pulling in Gulf Stream water and mixing it with colder northern water, creating ideal conditions for pelagic species. The key question moving forward is whether this eddy will maintain a northwesterly track, potentially bringing some of the best fishing in years from the Atlantis Canyons to the Hudson Canyon. A smaller eddy recently failed to coalesce, producing limited results, and the Hudson Canyon saw boats concentrating on the southwest corners targeting bigeye tuna. Here, fishing is very much a lottery, with some boats catching six to nine bigeye while most land only one or two. Yellowfin remain scarce in this area, and attempts further north have yielded few results.
Down the line, the blue water has brought scattered mahi, white marlin, and occasional tuna. The Ocean City fleet has been particularly productive for white marlin, with multiple double-digit trips reported. Wahoo are beginning to appear along the blue water near the elephant trunk, though catches are still limited to a few per boat. Daytime swordfish activity is expected to increase, especially where commercial squid draggers are present, as bycatch reports indicate abundant swordfish in these areas. Inshore, mahi have been somewhat scattered, with only occasional bites near Lumpkeys and Cigar grounds. True midshore action is concentrated around the Bicardi, where chunking and jigging remain productive. Boats using live or fresh peanut bunker are consistently outperforming those without, often landing double-digit yellowfin while boats without bait manage only a couple of fish. This pattern has held steady for nearly a week and appears poised to improve as more squid draggers enter the area, potentially attracting more yellowfin.
South of Montauk, the fishing remains dominated by mahi, with only sporadic bluefin caught. The Regal Sword area has been the most consistent producer for giant tuna all season, with multiple charters landing ample fish when range and weather allow. Overall, September is shaping up to be a strong month, with conditions expected to support excellent fishing through October. The challenge remains the unpredictable fall weather, which often limits viable offshore windows to just a few days at a time. Historically, trips after mid-September see a high cancellation rate due to wind and rough seas, so anglers are encouraged to take advantage of every opportunity.
This season’s fishing highlights include massive yellowfin tuna on the eddy off Massachusetts, scattered but increasing wahoo, productive swordfish at night, and the continued presence of white marlin and yellowfin in the Mid-Atlantic. Mahi continue to provide reliable inshore action, and the midshore Bicardi grounds reward those using fresh peanut bunker. With careful planning and attention to short-term weather windows, anglers can experience some of the best fishing of the year. Those with access to the massive offshore eddy, in particular, should make the most of this week, as it represents a rare convergence of abundant fish, favorable currents, and strong bite conditions. Fall may bring rougher seas, but it also brings some of the most rewarding fishing opportunities along the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coastlines.