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The Hooter is an area named for the buoy that marks the end of Muskeget Channel, just over 3 miles south of the Southeast corner of Martha’s Vineyard. (The buoy makes a hooting sound as it bobs up and down.) What draws fish to this area isn’t the buoy itself but the sandy structure of Wasque Shoal and its sharp drop-off into deep water at the end of Muskeget Channel.
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Action at The Hooter begins in mid- to late May when striped bass arriving from the south (and later, bluefish) are drawn to the area to feed on squid and sand eels. The fish are often found in visible current rips on the edge of Wasque Shoal (area A) and can be taken by casting or trolling.
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As the water warms, bass are more likely to be found in deeper water off the edge of the drop-off into Muskeget Channel (area B) and can be taken by trolling parachute jigs on wire line or by vertical jigging. Remember to stay within the 3-mile line, as it is illegal to target bass in federal waters.
Check out some amazing bonus footage that our crew captured of a bluefish spewing sand eels at the Hooter
Check out some amazing bonus footage that our crew captured of a bluefish spewing sand eels at the HooterIn mid- to late July, bonito arrive at The Hooter, often a week or more before they are reported inside Vineyard Sound. False albacore will also mix in by August, and bluefin tuna are always a possibility in the deeper water.
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Most bonito fishermen use high-speed trolling tactics to target these fish while avoiding bite-offs from bluefish. Rebel Fastracs, Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, and other lures that track well at high speeds are popular.
Casting metal lures like Deadly Dicks and Swedish Pimples or Hogy Epoxy Jigs around schools of sand eels under feeding terns will also be effective at times. Use your chartplotter to focus your efforts on the steep dropoff. Usually, you’ll find the bait and the bonito hanging between the 30- and 50-foot contour lines (area C).
Was wondering what brand of rod & reel was being used in bonito video?
I am in the market for a new saltwater set-up and the one shown looked like something I would be interested in. Thank you!
Darlene,
Kevin was using a Quantum Cabo 40 as a reel. The rod was a Quantum Cabo spinning rod, that is no longer available, however any 7-foot, medium-action spinning reel would be perfect for that kind of fishing, both light-tackle trolling and casting to breaking fish.
Darlene,
I believe the reel is a quantum cabo (40 maybe 50), not sure the rod – possibly a
Shimano Teramar
Love our son’ magazine and his TV show. good work, Chris and your staff.
when is there going to be new episodes of OTW?
Brett,
New Episodes of Season 12 have been airing since late January.
Oh wow. My bad, I guess I missed something or maybe saw a repeat and assumed. Thanks again
I live in Quincy, need to know where I can fish off shore. On foot meaning no car. Can you help where the fish are
Any idea when your show will be back on Dish Network? We asked them if you were on there, they said yes, we switched providers and then no On The Water!!!? Anything we can do to move it along? I miss watching! It was nice seeing you at the RI Fishing Show in Providence Chris. Best regards, Jim
Really enjoyed this wknd (March 26, 2017) OTW tv show of fluke fishing on Nantucket Shoals. What is the fluke fishing like on Wasque Shoals? Similar? Also, wonder if fluke fishing at southern end of Shoal (where it drops to deep water) on south flowing tide would be good. Have not tried that, but can imagine if sand eels/squid/crabs etc are watching off shoals into deep water, that might be a good fluking spot. Anyone try fishing there for fluke?
It has all the ingredients of a great fluke spot, John, I’m sure somebody is targeting them there.
Caught a fluke last summer while fishing alone and trolling with a rising tide, aka as an easterly tide, for stripers in 5-10 feet of water crossing over the shoals. Had never caught a fluke there before. Got two schoolies that day and released same. Was using 27# lead line and a subsurface Yo-zuri lure.
Was just wondering if you could elaborate more on bluefin fishing around the hooter. got a 17 footer so not too far but is it possible around the hooter?