Coxes Ledge is a well-known offshore rise south of Rhode Island and east of Block Island, a piece of hard-bottom structure that concentrates bait and supports a rich fishery, tuna, sharks, and a strong bottom fishery for black sea bass and cod. For southern New England boats, it is a classic offshore destination.
The ground
The ledge structure and hard bottom rise out of deeper water, and current over the rise stacks sand eels, squid and other bait. That structure-and-bait combination is what draws the tuna and everything else.
How to fish it
For tuna, troll the edges and jig marks. The same structure offers excellent bottom jigging for sea bass and cod, so it can be a mixed-bag day.
Tip Coxes is as much a bottom-fishing destination as a tuna spot. If the tuna bite is slow, the same hard structure holds sea bass and cod, so bring jigging gear and make the long run count either way.