Nantucket Fishing Report—May 13, 2025
The Tight Lines Fishing Report is brought to you by Corey and Cam Gammill via Bill Fisher Tackle and Bill Fisher Outfitters. Visit their website, their shop at 127 Orange Street, or give them a call at (508) 228-2261.
Dear Fishermen and Friends,
While we’re all eagerly anticipating the arrival of striped bass, the waters around Nantucket are teeming with life right now. It’s funny how the question “has the first striper been caught?” dominates conversations. In reality, we’ve seen abundant tautog, the arrival of sea robins, and massive schools of squid and mackerel off Hyannis. Shad are even jumping along the south shore, and gannets are feeding on herring east and south of the island. There’s no shortage of fish; just not the stripers yet.
Daily reports confirm good tautog catches from jetties and docks, and somebody caught a shad recently. So, if you’re itching to bend a rod, there are opportunities! We have plenty of tautog jigs and small deadlys for shad if you’re interested, or you could try your luck at being the first to land a striper.
During a trip out to break in my new motors this week (Wahoo!), I observed impressive numbers of sand eels and terns, reminiscent of August conditions. Water temperatures are in the low 50s, though it sounds like the middle of the sound and Muskeget Channel are still around 49 degrees. The bottom line is, the stage is set.
It’s important to distinguish optimism from reality. While all the signs of life are present, the stripers haven’t arrived yet. But they will. The long, cold winter has us all eager, but the anticipation itself, alongside the current fishing opportunities, brings its own joy. That’s ultimately why we fish, isn’t it?
One common trait among Nantucket fishermen, myself included, is being too busy with work and life to explore the early season fully. My wife deserves credit for reminding me of this. Her unwavering support and encouragement to prioritize joy over to-do lists have been invaluable. (Lucky me, right?) She’s absolutely right. With long days upon us, this next month is the perfect time to head to spots like Jackson Point and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow anglers. I want to see more people out on the water, taking advantage of why we live here. We need to shift from planning fishing trips to simply going because it sounds fun.
So, the current truth is, there’s no striper report to give, but all indications point to their imminent arrival. Your choice now is: cast a small metal at Nobadeer with a moderate retrieve for a shot at shad, target tautog at the docks, or scout your favorite striper locations, perhaps focusing on the north shore.
Alternatively, as we often suggest this time of year, take the opportunity to scout the south shore beaches for future success. The clear water makes it easy to identify how the sandbars have shifted and where the holes are. Walk or drive a few miles of shoreline and take notes. This effort now will pay off in the coming weeks. Remember, fish seek structure. Despite the south shore appearing as a smooth stretch, it’s not. Fish will congregate where they can find the best return for the least effort, such as behind sandbars, in holes, and near outflows. Read the water, understand the structure, and you’ll discover where the fish will be.
Take a break from the daily grind and go fishing!
Tight Lines,
Captain Corey Gammill: 203-962-8867
Captain Cam Gammill: 508-332-9149
Captain Mike Ruby: 508-221-7144
Captain Nat Reeder
Book a Charter!
The Spring Run is right around the corner. This is our favorite time of year with Bass rolling on squid. It is a scene not to be missed. We would love to get you on the water for a charter, call 203-962-8867