Gear & Tackle

Saltwater & Coast

Fly Fishing

Spin, Cast & Bait

Boston Harbor Fishing Guide

Massachusetts

The waters around the Boston Harbor Islands, home to striped bass and bluefish, with shore fishing on Deer Island.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Boston Harbor for striped bass and bluefish. In October, striped bass and bluefish are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Bob's Bait Shack in Winthrop, about 4 mi away. Race Point is about 41 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Striped Bass
Bluefish
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What You'll Catch

Boston Harbor Species

Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Bluefish

Bluefish

Prime Now
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Best: May to Oct

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

7 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Lefty's Deceiver #3/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Bluefish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Bluefish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Bucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Metal Jig 1/2 to 3 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Bluefish

    Shop This Lure

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Bluefish

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Striped Bass

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.

Bluefish

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast 7 to 9 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 20 lb braid with a wire leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Boston Harbor

Jigs

Spro Bucktail Jigs

Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.

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Metal Jigs

Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig

A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.

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Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod

Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.

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Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Topwater

Heddon Zara Spook

The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.

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Spoons

Acme Kastmaster Spoon

A dense spoon that casts a mile and flutters on the fall.

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Boston Harbor

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Boston Harbor

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Massachusetts · About 41 mi

Race Point

The northern tip of Cape Cod at Provincetown, where fast currents and deep water near shore draw surfcasters after striped bass and bluefish.

Striped Bass · Bluefish

Saltwater & Coast · Massachusetts · About 42 mi

Cape Cod Bay

The bay inside the hook of Cape Cod between Plymouth and Provincetown, where state harvest records show a strong striped bass fishery.

Striped Bass

Saltwater & Coast · New Hampshire · About 52 mi

Great Bay

A tidal estuary behind Portsmouth with spring and summer stripers.

Striped Bass

Saltwater & Coast · Massachusetts · About 57 mi

Cape Cod

Stripers and albies from the beach, flats, and rips.

Striped Bass · False Albacore · Bluefish

Saltwater & Coast · Rhode Island · About 57 mi

Narragansett Bay

A large bay with spring schoolie stripers, summer blues, and fluke.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · Flounder

Saltwater & Coast · Massachusetts · About 67 mi

Martha's Vineyard

An island known for surfcasting and a fall derby for stripers, blues, and albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore