Guide
to Species
The
following species are fish that are often found in the sanctuary.
The artwork and data are courtesy of the Massachusetts Division
of Marine Fisheries, with information geared to vessel-based deepwater
fishing. For more information about these species, see more detailed
reports on the DMF
Fish Profiles web page.
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Atlantic
Cod:
These fish are the deepwater treasures of the sanctuary and
coastal Massachusetts (a carving of a cod hangs in the Massachusetts
State House). They are the number one fish sought after by
party boats North of Cape Cod. They are found throughout the
sanctuary and the Gulf of Maine, in deepwater and inshore
while the water is cold.
Season: Year round
Baits and Lures: Sea worms, clams, mackerel, strips
of all fish, crabs, jigs.
Methods and Tackle: Bait-fishing from shore and boats,
fishing from boats using medium to stiff boat rod, conventional
reel and at least 50 lb test line.
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weight: 30 lbs
State Record: 92 lbs |
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Black
Sea Bass:
Although found primarily south of Cape Cod, an occasional
black sea bass can be found in the sanctuary and in Cape
Cod Bay. These migratory fish arrive in late spring. The
majority of these fish begin life as females and thenchange
to males at around three years of age. They prefer habitats
with bottom structure, such as boulder reefs, rocky outcrops
and wrecks.
Season: May - September
Baits and Lures: Cut squid, clams, green crabs.
Methods and Tackle: bottom fish from a boat.
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weight: 4 lbs
State Record: 8 lbs
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Blue
Shark:
Blue and mako sharks are common to our offshore waters and
are sought after by recreational
anglers. Venture with an experienced shark angler to prevent
unexpected surprises and make sure you bleed and ice the
shark flesh immediately. Anglers are encouraged to release
sharks not intended for consumption.
Season: June-October
Baits and Lures: Chumming and baited hooks (preferably
oily fish)
Methods and Tackle: Trolling, drifting; medium to
heavy tackle,
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weights: 150
lbs
State Records: 454 lbs
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Bluefin
Tuna:
All the tunas are very swift swimmers, provide a thrilling
and sometimes backbreaking fight and are literally hot blooded.
The giant bluefin tuna is the biggest and most lucrative of
the tunas in our waters and thus creates much competition
amongst fishermen.
Season: Late June-October
Baits and Lures: Bait fish used with chum slick; plastic
squids, multi-
chains, jigs, artificial lures
Methods and Tackle: Trolling, chunk baits with chum;
medium to heavy
State Record: 1,228 lbs |
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Bluefish:
Bluefish are usually ravenous and will strike at just about
anything you give them. Watch out for those teeth! They average
around 3-7 lbs along the coast and tend to be larger just
offshore in the rips. The juveniles, referred to as “snappers,”
can be found in the estuaries and are fun to catch with light
tackle. In all cases, they put up an excellent fight all the
way to your boat or shore.
Season: June-mid October
Baits and Lures: All small bait fish, jigs, spoons,
plugs, spinners, flies.
Methods and Tackle: Casting from shore or boat (you
may want to use a wire leader) with spin and fly fishing gear,
trolling.
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weight: 12 lbs
State Record: 27 lbs- 4 oz. |
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Cusk:
Like the cod, the cusk is a cool water fish and is found on
hard, rough bottom habitat. Look
for the continuous dorsal fin to assist with identification.
Season: Year round
Baits and Lures: Same as cod.
Methods and Tackle: Same as cod.
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weight: 20lbs
State Record: 34 lbs - 4 oz. |
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Haddock:
Haddock is a member of the cod family and is a delicious fish
for the dinner table. The black
lateral line distinguishes it from the cod and pollock.
Season: May-November
Baits and Lures: Seaworms, clams
Methods and Tackle: Still-fishing from a boat, medium
action rod
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weights: 8 lbs
State Record: 20 lbs |
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Halibut:
This is the largest of the Atlantic flatfishes, which if you
do happen to hook one, can be very
challenging to reel up from deep water.
Season: Year round
Baits and Lures: Seaworms, clams, strips of fish, sandlance,
jigs.
Methods and Tackle: Fishing from a boat with medium
to stiff rod.
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weight: 50 lbs
State Record: 321 lbs |
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Mackerel:
Mackerel are fast swimmers and voracious feeders, which offers
the angler many options
for catching them. They are also an important food fish for
many other species of fish and
marine mammals.
Season: May-September
Baits and Lures: Small bait fish, crab, clams, seaworms,
squid strips, jigs, spoons, flies.
Methods and Tackle: Trolling, jigging, casting from
shore or boat: light tackle.
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weight: 2 lbs
State Record: 3 lbs - 8 oz. |
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Mako
Shark:
Makos are the more aggressive of the two fish and will put
up an exciting
fight. Venture with an experienced shark angler to prevent
unexpected surprises and make sure you bleed and ice the shark
flesh immediately. Anglers are encouraged to release sharks
not intended for consumption.
Season: June-October
Baits and Lures: Chumming and baited hooks (preferably
oily fish)
Methods and Tackle: Trolling, drifting; medium to heavy
tackle, wire leader.
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weights: 150
lbs
State Records: 1,324 lbs |
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Pollock:
The pollock is more available to the angler than its codfish
relative. These aggressive fighters offer the thrills of a
bluefish and the flesh of a cod.
Season: May-October with the best runs in May, Oct.
Baits and Lures: In deeper water use the same as for
cod (jigs, clams...). Inshore waters try
small plugs, Kastmasters, mackerel jigs, metal lures with
a strip of squid.
Methods and Tackle: Still-fishing, casting, trolling.
For deep water use same set up as for
cod. Lighter spinning gear can be used for inshore fishing.
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weights: 20 lbs
State Record: 48 lbs - 2 oz. |
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Winter
Flounder:
The winter flounder (black back) provides good fishing during
the cold weather months. They are very accessible and provide
the angler with thick fillets to take home.
Season:
May - February
Baits and Lures: Sandworms, bloodworms, clams, strips
of squid.
Methods and Tackle: Chum pot (crushed clams), still-fishing
from boats, piers, jetties, bridges, breakwaters; light
tackle
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weight: 3 lbs
State Record: 8 lbs -2 oz.
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Wolffish:
Wolfish are distinguished by their large size, pronouned
molar and canine teeth, and the lack of ventral fins. They
do not school and prefer hard bottom, not mud, in deep waters.
Season: Year Round
Baits and Lures: seaworms, shellfish, crustaceans,
jigs
Methods and Tackle: Drift- or still-fishing from
a boat
Mass. Saltwater Fishing Derby Minimum Weight: 20
lbs
State Record: 55 lbs - 8 oz.
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