The school bluefin bite rages on off Rhode Island, bigeye are punishing trolling spreads in the canyons, and giant bluefin are increasing in number from New Hampshire to New Jersey.
Massachusetts to Maine
Captain Bob from Seacoast Sportfishing in New Hampshire says the bluefin fuse has finally lit up. In recent days, small “rat” class recreational bluefin (40″–60″) have been blitzing on mackerel, a rare sight in waters usually dominated by giants. While not welcomed by commercial crews, light-tackle anglers are loving the opportunity.
In deeper water, giants are active and keyed in on bunker schools. The inshore pogies are drawing 90″+ class fish within range. Live bait is working, especially mackerel and whiting.
Out east of Stellwagen, haddock fishing remains solid, and the occasional surprise halibut is making headlines. Captain Eric Doherty of Impulse Sportfishing landed a 40-pound Atlantic halibut on a recent haddock charter, along with a limit of haddock and a 200-pound porbeagle that capped off a memorable trip.
Southern New England
South of Block Island and Montauk, bluefin action remains steady. According to Captain Chris from Keeping It Real Sportfishing, multiple recent trips have produced double-digit tuna catches on both jigs and trolling gear. The key has been finding fish away from the fleet, where less pressure equals more aggressive tuna.
Captain Joe Diorio reported similar trends—plenty of life, but fish are moving constantly. Trolling to locate, then switching to jigs or poppers, continues to be the winning strategy. Joe noted strong signs of life—whales, dolphins, birds—congregating south of the island, hinting at the best bite still to come.
We’re also seeing an early influx of mahi-mahi around the pots and floating debris.
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Long Island and New York Bight
Will King reported a surge of big bluefin south of Fire Island last week, glued to the bottom and feeding heavily on sand eels and squid. Fish ranged from 65 inches to well over 100, and jigs dropped to bait balls have been the key to hookups. Cobia have also appeared inshore, hitting live bunker.
On the East End, Jeff from White Water Outfitters says bluefin in the 30- to 70-pound range are consistent 15 to 40 miles out, with jigging producing the best results. A few giants have been spotted, but the main event may still be ahead. The canyons east of Long Island are loaded with bigeye tuna, yellowfin, and increasing numbers of white marlin.
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New Jersey
Off the Jersey Shore, captains noted a slowdown in the canyons south of the Hudson, but midshore structure is holding small bluefin and yellowfin. Christian at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported good numbers of yellowfin at Bacardi and Triple Wrecks, along with a mix of giant and keeper-size bluefin further inshore at the Little Italy.
Trolling and soft plastics like NLBNs are both effective. The inshore mahi bite is beginning, and while numbers are modest, quality is excellent.