Tuna Ground

Noman's & Gay Head

Shoals off the Vineyard's southwest tip. The water around Noman's Land and Gay Head holds bluefin on the shoals and edges, with fluke and sea bass fishing on the same ground.

The shoals around Noman's Land and Gay Head, off the southwest tip of Martha's Vineyard, are the inshore edge of the south-of-MV grounds. The shoals and edges hold bluefin when the bait is there, and the same ground offers sea bass and fluke, so it can be a mixed-bag day a short run from Menemsha.

The ground

Fish the shoals and current edges, where the relatively shallow structure (the north side runs around 40 feet) pins bait. Tuna push in on the shoals to feed when conditions line up.

How to fish it

Work the edges with jigs and poppers when fish are up, or drop for sea bass and fluke on the same structure. Note that Noman's Land itself is a protected wildlife refuge with access restrictions around the island.

Tip This ground doubles up. If the tuna are not cooperating, the same shoals hold sea bass and fluke, so bring bottom gear and turn a slow tuna day into a full cooler.

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.
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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.