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Hydrographer Canyon

The gateway to the Georges canyons. Hydrographer Canyon, on the southern edge of Georges Bank, is the first of the eastern canyons, prime big-game water for the Cape, Islands and RI fleets.

Hydrographer Canyon marks the western end of the Georges Bank canyons, cutting into the southern edge of the bank. It is a productive big-game ground for the Cape, Islands and Rhode Island fleets, holding yellowfin and bigeye, marlin, swordfish and mahi.

The canyon

Fish the edge where the bank drops off, and the fingers and tips of the canyon. The Georges Bank canyons sit along a rich, productive stretch of the shelf edge, so when the water is right they can be outstanding.

How to fish it

Troll the edge, chunk overnight, deep-drop for swordfish, and hit the pots for mahi.

Tip The Georges canyons form a chain along the bank’s edge, so plan to run between them. If Hydrographer is quiet, Oceanographer, Gilbert and Lydonia are strung out to the east, follow the bait and the breaks along the edge.

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

GamefishBigeye TunaAreaThe Northeast CanyonsAreaOceanographer CanyonAreaVeatch 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.