Cape Cod Offshore Tuna Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Bluefin, Bigeye, and Yellowfin tuna offshore Cape Cod watersPremium gear, bait, ice, and fishing license included with charterComplimentary catch cleaning service provided after fishing trip
Looking for serious tuna action off Cape Cod? Strike 2 Fishing Charters has you covered with top-rated offshore trips targeting the big three: Bluefin, Bigeye, and Yellowfin tuna. Running out of both Chatham and Fairhaven gives us flexibility to chase the best bite, whether that's hitting the productive waters south of Martha's Vineyard or running east to the deeper canyons where the giants roam. This isn't your typical harbor fishing trip – we're talking blue water, serious fish, and the kind of battles that'll have your arms burning and your heart pounding.
Your day starts early, meeting at either our Chatham or Fairhaven dock depending on where the fish are showing best. Cape Cod's offshore waters are legendary for a reason – the continental shelf drops off dramatically here, creating perfect conditions for pelagic species like tuna. We'll cruise out anywhere from 20 to 60 miles depending on water temps, bait concentrations, and recent reports from the fleet. Don't worry about bringing tackle – we've got you set up with premium rods, reels, and all the terminal gear you'll need. Circle hooks, heavy fluorocarbon leaders, and fresh bait are standard issue. The boat holds up to 6 anglers comfortably, so you're not fighting for rail space when a fish comes up hot on the spread. Pack your own food and drinks for the day, and remember that our first mate works hard to put you on fish – a 20% tip is customary and much appreciated. Best part? We'll clean your catch at the dock, so you can head home with sushi-grade fillets ready for the grill or the sashimi knife.
Offshore tuna fishing is all about covering water and presenting the right bait at the right depth. We run a spread of trolling lures and natural baits, typically pulling 4-6 lines at cruising speed between 6-9 knots. The spread includes a mix of cedar plugs, spreader bars with ballyhoo, and occasionally live bait when we can find it. Water temperature is everything out here – we're looking for that magic 68-72 degree range where the tuna feel comfortable. Our electronics help us locate temperature breaks, bait balls, and structure that holds fish. When we mark fish on the sounder or see birds working, we'll often switch to chunking or live bait fishing. The tackle is sized for the job – 50-80 pound class rods with quality reels that can handle long runs and sustained pressure. Circle hooks are mandatory for Bluefin conservation, and we use heavy fluorocarbon leaders to handle their sharp gill plates and powerful runs. The key is staying patient and keeping your eyes on the spread – when a tuna crashes a bait, you'll know it.
Cape Cod's offshore waters consistently produce world-class tuna fishing from late spring through fall. The combination of deep water access, abundant bait, and favorable currents makes this one of the Northeast's premier tuna destinations. Anglers regularly boat fish ranging from schoolie Bluefin in the 40-60 pound range all the way up to giant Bluefin pushing 200+ pounds. The Bigeye bite has been particularly strong in recent years, with fish in the 100-150 pound class showing up reliably during summer months. Yellowfin provide non-stop action when they're around, often traveling in schools and hitting multiple baits at once. What really sets Cape Cod apart is the variety – you might start the day catching 30-pound Yellowfin and end it battling a giant Bluefin that takes 45 minutes to subdue. The quality of fish here is outstanding, with many going straight from the boat to high-end sushi restaurants.
Bluefin Tuna are the kings of Cape Cod waters, and for good reason. These powerful fish can reach massive sizes, with giants over 200 pounds not uncommon during peak season from June through October. Bluefin are incredibly strong fighters, known for long runs that can peel hundreds of yards of line off your reel in seconds. They're also highly intelligent, often requiring finesse presentations and light leaders to get them to bite. The smaller school Bluefin in the 30-70 pound range provide fantastic action and make excellent table fare. What makes Bluefin special is their unpredictability – they might crash a trolled ballyhoo at full speed or require a perfectly drifted chunk bait to entice a bite.
Bigeye Tuna are the deep water specialists, typically found in 200+ feet of water during daylight hours. These fish average 80-150 pounds and are prized for their exceptional meat quality – many consider Bigeye the best eating of all tuna species. They're strong fighters but tend to battle in the depths rather than making the spectacular surface runs that Bluefin are famous for. Bigeye are most active during summer months when water temperatures are optimal, and they often feed heavily at dawn and dusk. Their large eyes are perfectly adapted for deep water hunting, and they'll often take baits that other tuna species ignore.
Yellowfin Tuna bring the non-stop action that keeps anglers coming back for more. These sleek, fast-swimming fish typically range from 20-60 pounds in our waters and are absolute speed demons. When you find a school of Yellowfin, it's not uncommon to have multiple hookups as they compete aggressively for bait. They're excellent table fare with firm, mild meat that's perfect for grilling or searing. Yellowfin are most common during the warmer months from July through September, and they often travel with dolphins or feed under bird activity. Their distinctive yellow fins and torpedo-shaped bodies make them
Strike 2's 30-foot Black Watch is built for serious tuna fishing in Cape Cod waters. Twin 250HP Cummins engines push this offshore workhorse to 22 knots, getting you to the productive fishing grounds fast. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting birds and bait schools, while the fish finder helps locate those deep-running bigeye and bluefin. Your first mate knows these waters and will keep you on fish all day. The boat handles rough offshore conditions with ease and has everything you need - icebox and refrigerator for your catch and drinks, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus a head for comfort during long fishing days. With room for 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to fight big tuna without getting tangled up. All your tackle, bait, and licenses are covered, plus they'll clean your catch at the dock. Just bring your appetite for big fish and some snacks for the ride out to the deep water where the giants swim.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye tuna are built for deep water hunting with those huge eyes and streamlined bodies. These fish can push over 400 pounds, though most we catch run 60-150 pounds. They dive deeper than other tunas, often hanging around 200-800 feet where the water's cold and oxygen is thin. Best fishing happens at dawn and dusk when they move up to feed - their sensitive eyes handle low light better than bright sun. What makes them special is that fatty, rich meat that rivals bluefin for sushi quality. They fight hard with long, powerful runs that'll test your gear. Here's the trick: when trolling at first light, use dark-colored lures in the 8-10 inch range on your short riggers. Those Bigeye Rockets work great, and don't be afraid to keep lines out well after sunset.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail - massive, powerful fish with steel-blue backs and silver sides. We see everything from 50-pound schoolies to giants over 500 pounds. Being warm-blooded, they handle our cold Cape waters better than other tunas, staying around from late spring through fall. They patrol depths from 50-300 feet, following bait schools along temperature breaks and structure. The fight is legendary - long runs, deep dives, and pure strength that'll wear you out. But it's that rich, buttery meat that makes them so prized for sushi. They're also the smartest tuna, often refusing lures that fool other species. Early morning and late evening are prime times when they feed aggressively. My go-to setup is fresh herring on circle hooks while chunking. Keep your chum line steady and let them come to you - patience beats speed with these fish every time.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the speed demons of the tuna world, hitting 50 mph with those bright yellow fins flashing. Most fish we see run 40-80 pounds, but giants over 200 pounds show up regularly. They cruise the upper 100 feet of water column, loving warm offshore currents and temperature breaks. Summer through early fall gives us the best action when they follow bait schools up from the south. What guests love is the raw power - these fish make blistering surface runs and dive hard when hooked. The meat's top-notch too, perfect for steaks or sushi. They're also willing biters compared to finicky bluefin. Best technique is running a mixed trolling spread with rigged ballyhoo and skirted lures. When you mark them deep but nothing's biting, bring in the spread and start jigging - often triggers strikes when trolling won't.
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