Ipswich Bay, the water north of Cape Ann off Ipswich and Rockport, is primarily inshore ground, but in the right years bluefin push right in chasing bait, giving North Shore anglers a shot at tuna on a short run. It is also excellent striped bass and groundfish water.
The ground
The bay's bait concentrations and current edges are the key. When herring, mackerel and pogies flood the bay, the tuna can follow them in surprisingly close.
How to fish it
When bluefin are inside, look for surface feeds and marked fish, then pop, jig or live-bait them. Watch the bait and the birds; inshore tuna fishing is a sight-fishing game.
Tip Keep an eye on the bait reports in late summer. When the herring and pogies pile into Ipswich Bay, the bluefin can show close to the beach, and being ready to run when the bait arrives is half the battle.