Nantucket County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Nantucket
The island 30 miles off Cape Cod — blitzing striped bass and bluefish along miles of surf and the rips off Great Point, with bonito and false albacore in late summer. A classic four-wheel-drive surfcasting destination. Live tide and water temperature from the Nantucket station.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Bluefish — Skip the Bluefish trip today.
Best conditions of 2 species tracked at Nantucket.
Small Craft Advisory issued July 21 at 2:31PM EDT until July 22 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:04 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:37 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 12:10 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 6:56 PM | High | 3.6 ft |
Species at Nantucket
2 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Bluefish Skip the Bluefish trip today. In season 14/100
What's helping
- 74°F water — inside bluefish's active range
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
- 22 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- 72% rain — wet day — uncomfortable but fish still bite
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.
Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.
Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
No minimum size. 5 fish/day from shore or private boat (more on for-hire vessels).
Source: Massachusetts regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's hurting
- 74°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
- outgoing tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- 22 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- 72% rain — wet day — uncomfortable but fish still bite
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 28"
- Max size
- 31"
- Daily creel
- 1
28–31" slot, 1 fish/day. Inline (non-offset) circle hooks required when fishing with bait.
Source: Massachusetts regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Atlantic Ocean
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Massachusetts
Coordinates
Notes
MA: striped bass 28–31" slot, 1/day (inline circle hooks with bait). Great Point is the signature surf spot.
Local reports & rules for Nantucket: Massachusetts MassWildlife fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Nantucket?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Nantucket you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Nantucket?
Nantucket is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Nantucket?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Nantucket against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Nantucket have?
Nantucket has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. MA: striped bass 28–31" slot, 1/day (inline circle hooks with bait). Great Point is the signature surf spot.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Nantucket?
state agency regulations apply at Nantucket. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Nantucket tidal water?
Yes. Nantucket sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.