A Local Guide to Fishing Seasons in Gloucester

Published August 4th, 2025 by Tuna Tail Charters

Spring Starts the Chase

Gloucester wakes up fast when spring hits. Boats get pulled from storage. Gear gets checked. Cod and haddock show up in deeper water. Striped bass start moving in, chasing bait into the shallows. The docks buzz with talk of the first catches. You see rods loaded for bottom fishing, coolers packed, and everyone watching the tides.

March: Cod bite turns on. Deep drops, heavy rigs, steady action.
April: Haddock numbers climb. Limits fill fast. Deep-sea trips run back-to-back.
May: Striped bass return. Shallow water lights up. Early mornings, topwater hits, big smiles.
Pollock and redfish show up. Not as famous, but they fill the cooler and keep rods bent.

Spring isn’t just a warm-up. It’s a real shot at full coolers and steady action. Cod and haddock keep the deep-water crowd busy. Striped bass pull everyone to the flats and river mouths. The season starts with a bang, not a whisper.

Summer Delivers the Big Ones

Summer in Gloucester means one thing: bluefin tuna. These fish don’t just show up—they take over. Boats head offshore before sunrise. Crews load up on heavy gear. The radio crackles with reports of hookups and heartbreaks. Tuna test every angler. One run, and you know why people travel across the country for this fight.

Inshore, striped bass and bluefish keep things lively. Early mornings, late evenings, and every tide change brings a new shot. Kids catch their first fish. Old-timers chase personal bests. The harbor stays busy, and the fish keep coming.

Bluefin tuna: Giants. Every hookup is a battle. Land one, and you remember it for life. See what it takes to land a bluefin.
Striped bass: Reliable, hard-fighting, and everywhere. Find the best striper spots.
Bluefish: Aggressive, fast, and always hungry. Chase bluefish inshore.
Pollock, redfish, and haddock: Deep-water trips fill the freezer. Target cod and haddock.

Weather stays steady. Seas calm down. Every day brings a new story. Summer is the heart of Gloucester fishing. Miss it, and you miss the best action of the year. If you want to feel the excitement of bluefin tuna firsthand, our team at Tuna Tail Charters is ready to guide you to the action.

Fall Keeps the Rods Bending

Fall doesn’t slow down. It shifts gears. Fish feed hard, packing on weight before winter. Bluefish get meaner. Tuna stick around, still crushing baits offshore. Bottom fishing heats up again. The crowds thin out, but the action stays hot.

Cooler air, changing leaves, and empty docks. Locals know this is the time for big numbers and big fish. You see fewer boats, but the ones out there mean business. Every trip feels like a bonus round before winter sets in.

Bluefish: Hit harder, fight longer. No finesse, just muscle.
Tuna: Still out there. Fewer boats, more room to work.
Cod and haddock: Deep drops pay off. Fish stage up, and limits come quick.

Fall rewards the patient and the persistent. The fish don’t care about the calendar. They care about food, and they’re hungry. Every trip can turn into a story worth telling. We love helping anglers make the most of this season, whether it’s chasing late-season tuna or filling coolers with cod and haddock.

Winter for the Dedicated

Most people pack it in when the cold hits. Not everyone. Gloucester’s winter fishing is for those who don’t mind numb fingers and icy decks. Cod still bite on calm days. The harbor gets quiet. You see only the serious boats heading out, no crowds, no waiting at the ramp.

Winter rates drop. Trips get longer. The fish don’t see as much pressure, so the ones you find are ready to eat. It’s not about comfort. It’s about the catch. You earn every fish in winter, and that makes it count.

Cod: Still there, still biting. Pick your days, watch the weather, and go when you can.
Haddock: Less common, but worth the hunt.
Solitude: No lines, no waiting, just you and the water.

Winter fishing in Gloucester isn’t for everyone. But for those who go, it’s a different kind of satisfaction. The fish are there. The challenge is real. The reward is yours. Our winter charters are designed for anglers who want to enjoy the quiet side of Gloucester and the satisfaction of a hard-earned catch.

Every Season Brings a New Story

Gloucester never stops. Spring brings the first runs. Summer explodes with variety and size. Fall rewards the persistent. Winter tests the dedicated. Every month, something’s biting. Every trip, a new memory. The only question is how far you want to go and what you want to catch.

Want numbers? Spring and fall fill coolers fast.
Chasing trophies? Summer bluefin and stripers deliver.
Prefer quiet? Winter gives you the water to yourself.

Gloucester’s fishing isn’t just about the fish. It’s about the people, the boats, the docks, and the stories that come back with every trip. The seasons change, but the passion stays the same.