Tuna Ground

the Inside Fingers

A traditional early-season spot. The Inside Fingers, south of the Vineyard, is finger-like bottom structure that has long been a go-to early in the tuna season.

The Inside Fingers are a piece of finger-like bottom structure on the grounds south of Martha’s Vineyard, long a common early-season spot for bluefin. The structure concentrates bait and current, and it sits within easy reach of the other south-of-MV marks.

The ground

Fish the fingers of structure and their edges, where bait gets funneled. Work west to the deeper Outside Fingers and the 31 Fathom Hole as conditions dictate.

How to fish it

Troll the edges and jig the marks, matching the sand eels and squid on the menu.

Tip The Fingers reward working the structure edges, not just running over the top. Line up your troll and your drifts along the fingers where bait stacks, and watch the sounder for fish holding on the edges.

About the coordinates The coordinates on this page are an approximate reference to orient you, not a navigation waypoint. Fish move, and numbers vary boat to boat, get exact, current marks locally and always run on a plotter with proper charts.
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.
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.