Inshore Spot

Buzzards Bay

Rocks, reefs and a great fall run. Buzzards Bay holds striped bass and bluefish all season, false albacore in the fall, and tautog and scup on its rocky structure.

Map showing the location of Buzzards Bay
Location map · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Buzzards Bay is a rich, varied inshore fishery. Its rocky shorelines, reefs and rips hold striped bass and bluefish through the season, false albacore arrive in the fall, and the same rocky structure gives up tautog and scup.

The ground

Fish the rocks, reefs, rips and current edges throughout the bay. In fall, the harbor mouths and open water hold albies chasing bay anchovies and silversides.

How to fish it

Bass and blues on soft plastics, jigs and topwater around the structure; albies on small fast metals and light spinning gear in the fall; tog on crabs over the rocks. A true multi-species bay.

Tip In the fall, Buzzards Bay is albie country. Watch the harbor mouths and open water for fast, splashy feeds on bay anchovies, and keep a light spinning rod with a small metal or epoxy jig rigged and ready.

Regulations Striped bass and other species each have their own rules, see Massachusetts DMF.
From the page to the water

Learn it here, land it out there

Reading is a great start. The fastest way to get good is a day on the water with someone who does it every day.

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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.