Tuna Ground

South of the Vineyard

The Vineyard's offshore front yard. The water south of Martha's Vineyard, including the MV shipping lanes, holds bluefin and other tuna through the season, a strong ground for the Island and south-side Cape fleet.

The water south of Martha's Vineyard, including the stretch known as the MV shipping lanes, is prime tuna ground for the Island fleet and the south-side Cape boats. Bait stacks along the offshore edges and in the deeper lane water, and bluefin and other tuna follow it through the season.

The ground

Fish the edges, breaks and the deeper water along the lanes, keying on bait and temperature. This is more open, deeper water than the inshore banks, so reading the ocean matters.

How to fish it

Trolling to find fish along the breaks, then jigging and popping what you locate. As with the shipping lanes anywhere, keep an eye on commercial traffic.

Tip South of the Vineyard, the bait and fish relate to temperature breaks and the lane structure. Do your homework on sea-surface temperature before you run, and troll the breaks where warm and cool water meet.

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.

Book a trip with Captain Nick

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.