By Capt. Craig Angelini
I enjoy traveling the world to fish epic destinations as much as anyone. However, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the Mid-Atlantic fisheries provide world-class fishing opportunities.
From Cape Cod to North Carolina amazing big game fishing opportunities exist. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to name another fishing destination where catching multiple large species of tuna, marlin, mahi, swordfish, wahoo, and more can be taken on the same trip. In addition, this region offers unparalleled food, lodging, nightlife, charter boats, and convenience.
Unlike many tropical destinations, which are typically volcanic in origin and exhibit sharp, rocky coastlines with steep drop-offs, our continental margin extends 70-plus miles to the continental slope. Depth gradually increases across the sandy, clay, and bedrock outcrops of the continental shelf. Upon reaching the continental slope, referred to as the “bank,” depth steeply drops to 100 fathoms or more. Seafloor features in this region exhibit clear evidence of past sea level rise, evidenced by the stark definition of submarine canyons left behind from ancient riverbeds. These canyons provide tremendous structure for squid and bait fish, along with physical bottom relief generating nutrient upwelling and prime habitats for big game species.
The varied structure and bottom composition provide habitat for a wide range of bait species as well. Most notably are Illex squid, Loligo squid, Atlantic saury (half-beaks), various mackerels, menhaden, sand eel, sardine, anchovy, bonito, flying fish, bluefish, whiting, ling, cod, butterfish, false albacore, and skipjack tuna. This results in bluefin
