Atlantic Bonito

Season in Cape Cod

Peak months: Sep, Oct.

OTW Sept 2025: fall brings a short window for bonito; a 2024 teaser: from late July to early November bonito invaded inshore waters. Martha's Vineyard Derby weighs bonito Sept to mid-Oct. OTW Oct 31 2024: bonito feeding with hickory shad at the East End of the Canal. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Wherever bluefish and stripers are feeding on bait in fall; the East End of the Canal; Martha's Vineyard during the Derby (OTW).

Schools that jump while chasing small bait, usually beyond casting range from New York beaches.

What to look for

Fish jumping and slashing through small bait; birds over rainbait.

What to throw

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Epoxy jig3/8 to 1 oz, Small, matched to silversides, bay anchovies and sand eels. Fast steady retrieve through the school.

Silver casting spoon (Clarkspoon or Drone style)1/2 to 1 oz, No. 0 to 1 / 2.5 to 3.5 in. Burn it. Fast, steady, just under the surface.

Swimming minnow plug (Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow style)3/4 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in. Steady medium retrieve with occasional twitches and pauses.

Leader

Common mistakes

• Lures too large for the micro bait they are eating
• Casting into the middle of a moving school instead of ahead of it

Landing

Net or lift by the tail; they fight hard to the end.

Handling

• Sharp small teeth
• Treble hooks on jigs while it thrashes

Use pliers to unhook.

Keep or release

MA DMF: an oily fish, good for bait; can be steaked and grilled.

Recipes for atlantic bonito

Typical: unknown. Large: Up to 12 lb and 30 in (MA DMF).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the MA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.

Sources

• On The Water: What's Biting in September on Cape Cod? (Allen, Peros, Rathgeber, 2025) (Angler knowledge)
• Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby (dates Sept 13 to Oct 17 2026 per Vineyard Gazette and derby calendar) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Cape Cod Fishing Report, Oct 31 2024 (Red Top Sporting Goods, Eastman's Sport and Tackle) (Angler knowledge)
• MA DMF: Learn about Atlantic bonito (Official source)
• The Fisherman: Too Warm, Or Too Cold? Species' Preferred Temperature Ranges (Aguiar, 2023) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: The Epic Bonito Run of 2024 (Fee, 2025) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Long Island and New York Fishing Report, August 13, 2020 (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Cape Cod