Tuna Ground

the High Ground

The shallow rise on the south end. The High Ground is the shallowest part of Stellwagen, a rise that pins bait and draws bluefin up where you can often see them work.

The High Ground is the shallow southern rise of Stellwagen Bank, where the bottom comes up closest to the surface. That shallow structure pins sand eels and other bait against the top of the bank, and bluefin push up onto it to feed, often where you can see them crash on the surface.

The ground

The shallow rise creates a natural feeding zone: bait cannot sound to escape, so tuna herd and corner it. This makes the High Ground a prime spot for surface feeds and visible fish.

How to fish it

The shallow, feed-heavy nature makes it excellent for popping and casting to breaking fish, and for jigging marks. Approach feeds carefully so you do not put them down, and match the small sand eel profile.

Tip The High Ground is where you get your best shots at breaking, castable fish. Keep a popping rod rigged and ready, ease up on feeds from up-wind, and put a cast to the edge of the school rather than driving through it.

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.