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Block Canyon

The southern New England canyon. Block Canyon, off Block Island and Montauk, is one of the closest canyons for the RI and eastern Long Island fleets, a productive edge for tuna, billfish and swords.

Block Canyon, off Block Island and Montauk, is one of the more accessible canyons for southern New England and eastern Long Island boats, which makes it a popular and productive destination. Its edge holds yellowfin and bigeye, marlin, swordfish and mahi when the water is right.

The canyon

Fish the edge and the fingers where the shelf breaks. The canyon sits within a workable overnight run of several southern New England ports, so it sees regular effort when the warm water pushes up.

How to fish it

Troll the edge by day, chunk overnight, deep-drop for swords, and hit the pots for mahi. Read the temperature and the bait to pick your spot on the edge.

Tip Block is a favorite in part because of the shorter run, but the fish still follow the water. Check the temperature charts, because some years the good water sets up better on the neighboring canyons, and a slightly longer run pays off.

Canyon-run safety The canyons are a long run into deep, open ocean, usually an overnight or multi-day trip far beyond help. Go in a capable, well-found boat, watch the weather window closely, carry proper safety and communications gear (EPIRB, life raft, redundant electronics), and file a float plan. This is serious offshore fishing.
Regulations Tuna are federally managed highly migratory species requiring an HMS permit, with category, size and retention rules that change through the season. Confirm current rules with NOAA Fisheries HMS before fishing.

Related in the Library

GamefishYellowfin TunaAreaThe Northeast CanyonsAreaAtlantis CanyonAreaHudson Canyon
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Note: fishing regulations (size limits, bag limits, seasons, permits) change often. Always confirm current rules with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (saltwater), MassWildlife (freshwater), or NOAA Fisheries (offshore/HMS) before you keep a fish.