Tuna Ground

South of Montauk

The west end of the grounds. South of Montauk marks the western edge of the southern New England tuna water, a rich, current-swept zone that draws bluefin and other tuna within reach of the Point.

South of Montauk is the western anchor of the southern New England tuna grounds. The Point pushes strong current and bait out over the edges and lumps, creating rich, fishy water that holds bluefin and, in warm years, other tuna, all within a manageable run of Montauk and Block Island.

The ground

Fish the edges, lumps and rips where the current off the Point sweeps bait, squid, sand eels and bunker among it. This is famously productive, current-driven water.

How to fish it

Trolling the edges and rips to find fish, then jigging and popping what you locate. When bluefin corral bunker or squid on top, the surface game can be outstanding.

Tip The current off Montauk is the engine. Fish the rips and edges on the moving tide, where the Point's hard current stacks bait, and be ready for surface feeds when the tuna push it up.

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.