Captain Jack here, with your high-tech, science-backed breakdown of the offshore scene. The weather has been a major player this week, with a big Nor'easter churning things up and keeping most of the fleet tied to the dock. However, the persistent angler who picked their window found that the fish are still out there and on the feed. The water is cooling, and the pelagics are responding. Let's break it down from south to north. Hudson Canyon - November 7, 2025The Hudson has been the epicenter of the action for those who could make the run. The temperature break is still holding, with a noticeable edge of 58-degree water pushing up against the cooler 55-degree inshore water. This is where the life is. Reports from the Bluefin IV and Alyssa Ann Sportfishing confirm a solid yellowfin and bigeye bite on the troll. The fish are holding in the 600-to-800-foot depths, and the bite has been best at first light. The key has been to find the bait, which has been a mix of squid and mackerel. There have also been reports of some nice mahi-mahi mixed in with the tuna.
Atlantis Canyon - November 7, 2025Atlantis has been a bit quieter than the Hudson, but there are still fish to be had. The water is a bit cooler here, and the temperature breaks are not as defined. However, the Rock Fish Charters crew found a nice pocket of 57-degree water that was holding some yellowfin. The fish were deeper here, in the 800-to-1000-foot range. The chunk bite has been more productive than the troll, with butterfish and sardines being the top baits. There have also been a few reports of albacore in the area.
Block Canyon - November 7, 2025Block has been a ghost town for the most part. The water is cold and green, and there is very little life. The consensus from the fleet is to save your fuel and head further south. The Lady Grace Charters made a run out to Block and reported very little to mark on the sounder.
Toms Canyon - November 7, 2025Toms has been a pleasant surprise. The water is a bit warmer here than in Block, and there is a nice edge of clean, blue water pushing in from the south. The Finall-ey Fishing crew found a nice pick of yellowfin on the troll, with fish up to 60 pounds. The bite was best in the afternoon, and the fish were holding in the 500-to-700-foot depths. The bait here has been primarily sand eels.
Fishtails/Bacardi Grounds - November 7, 2025The Fishtails and Bacardi Grounds have been hit or miss. The water is a bit churned up from the storm, and the fish are scattered. There have been a few reports of schoolie bluefin tuna in the area, but the bite has been inconsistent. The key here is to cover a lot of water and look for life. The birds have been the best indicator of where the fish are.
Montauk Offshore Grounds - November 7, 2025The Montauk offshore grounds have been the most consistent for bluefin tuna. The fish are holding in the 15-to-25-mile range, and they are feeding on a mix of mackerel and sand eels. The bite has been best on the troll, with spreader bars and ballyhoo being the top producers. The fish are ranging in size from 50 to 100 pounds, with a few bigger fish mixed in.
72-Hour Oceanographic Outlook
The forecast is calling for the wind to finally lay down over the weekend. This should allow the water to clean up and the temperature breaks to become more defined. I expect the bite in the Hudson and Toms Canyons to improve, and we may see some more consistent action in the Fishtails and Bacardi Grounds. The bluefin bite off Montauk should remain strong.
Tactical Recommendations
Trolling: Spreader bars, ballyhoo, and cedar plugs are all good choices. Vary your colors and your speeds until you find what the fish want.
Chunking: Butterfish, sardines, and squid are all good baits. Set up a slick and be patient. The fish will come to you.
Jigging: When you mark fish, don't be afraid to drop a jig on them. This can be a very effective way to get a bite when the fish are not responding to the troll or the chunk.
That's the latest from the offshore grounds. It's a dynamic environment out there, and things can change in a hurry. Use this information as a starting point, but always be prepared to adapt to the conditions. Stay safe and tight lines!
