The water east of Chatham, off the Cape's elbow and the backside toward the shoals, is some of the most productive bluefin ground on the Cape. A complex of rips, edges and shoals concentrates bait and fish, and its relatively short run from Chatham and Harwich makes it a favorite, when the whites and seals allow you to fish in peace.
The ground
This is rip-and-edge country, current pouring over and around the shoals stacks bait, and tuna set up to feed on the edges. Named spots and buoys mark productive areas that locals know well.
How to fish it
Read and fish the rips: troll the edges to find fish, then jig or pop them. Sand eels and squid are big on the menu here.
Tip Fish the rip edges on the moving tide. The tuna hold where the current sweeps bait over the shoals, so work the down-current side of the rips and time it to the strongest flow.