What You'll Find at Short Beach

Short Beach is a small, rocky cove on Nahant's eastern shore that holds striped bass and flounder through much of the year. The beach itself is narrow—maybe 200 yards of sand and rocks—and it sits between two rocky points that funnel baitfish and create current breaks where stripers hunt. Access is straightforward: park at the Nahant Town Beach lot and walk north along the shore for about ten minutes. The water here is shallow close in, dropping to 8 to 12 feet within casting distance, which makes it good for sight-fishing on clear days and for working soft plastics along the bottom.

The cove faces northeast, so it takes a beating in nor'easters but stays calmer than the open Atlantic side of Nahant when the wind swings offshore. That shelter makes it fishable on days when other spots are blown out. The rocky bottom holds mussels and small crustaceans, which draw flounder in summer and fall. Stripers move through on their way to deeper water, especially around the tide changes when the current picks up along the points.

Key Takeaways

  • Short Beach is a small northeast-facing cove with rocky points on both ends that concentrate stripers and flounder during feeding windows.
  • Access is free and easy from the Nahant Town Beach parking lot; a ten-minute walk north along the shore gets you there.
  • The shallow water close to shore and deeper drop-off within casting distance make it good for both sight-fishing and bottom work with soft plastics.
  • Spring and fall bring the most consistent striper action; summer flounder fishing is reliable on the sandy bottom inside the cove.
  • The northeast exposure means it stays fishable when other Nahant spots are rough, but it also gets pounded in nor'easters.

Seasonal Patterns and What Bites When

Spring stripers (April through May) move into Short Beach as water temperatures climb into the 50s. They hunt along the rocky points in the hour or two after sunrise and again in the last light before dark. Small live mackerel or herring work well if you can get them; if not, 3- to 4-inch soft plastics in pearl or chartreuse fished on a quarter-ounce jig head will draw strikes. The current is strongest around the tide change, so plan to fish the hour before and after slack water when the water is moving hardest.

Summer (June through August) shifts the focus to flounder. They settle on the sandy bottom inside the cove and hunt small baitfish and shrimp. Fish the same soft plastics but work them slowly along the bottom, pausing every few feet. Early morning and the last two hours before dark are most productive. Stripers are still around but deeper and less predictable in the heat; they move out to cooler water during the day and return to the shallows at night.

Fall (September through October) brings the best striper fishing of the year. Baitfish are thick, water temperatures drop back into the 60s, and stripers feed aggressively throughout the day. Live mackerel or herring fished near the rocky points will produce steady action. Soft plastics work too, but live bait is worth the effort if you can source it. Flounder are still present but less aggressive as they begin moving to deeper wintering grounds.

Winter (November through March) is slow. Water temperatures drop into the 40s, stripers move offshore, and flounder disappear. A few winter stripers linger in deeper pockets, but Short Beach is not a reliable winter destination. Focus on other Nahant spots or move to deeper-water structure.

Tackle and Technique for Short Beach

A 7-foot medium-action spinning rod with 10- to 15-pound braided line is the standard setup. Braid cuts through the rocky bottom and gives you better feel for the structure. Tie a 12-inch fluorocarbon leader (15 to 20 pounds) to reduce visibility in the clear water. For soft plastics, use a quarter-ounce to half-ounce jig head depending on current and depth. For live bait, a simple 2/0 to 3/0 circle hook on a three-way rig lets you fish the bottom without snagging constantly on the rocks.

Cast parallel to the rocky points rather than straight out into the cove. The stripers hunt along the edges where the rocks meet sand, and that is where your bait or lure should be. Work soft plastics with a slow lift-and-drop motion, letting the jig sit on the bottom for a few seconds between movements. Live bait can be fished stationary or worked slowly along the bottom; either way, keep tension on the line so you feel the strike immediately.

The rocks are sharp and will fray your line quickly. Check your leader every few casts and replace it if you see fraying. Bring extra jig heads and hooks—you will lose a few to the bottom, and it is faster to retie than to spend an hour picking through rocks looking for a snag.

Tides and Current at Short Beach

Short Beach is a tidal fishery. The cove fills and drains with the tide, and the current along the rocky points is strongest around the tide change. Plan to fish the hour before and the hour after slack water—that is when the water is moving fastest and stripers are most active. Incoming tide generally produces better action than outgoing, especially in spring and fall when baitfish are moving into the shallows.

At high tide, the water covers more of the rocks and the cove deepens slightly, which can push stripers in closer to shore. At low tide, the rocks are more exposed and the water is shallower, which can make stripers spookier but also concentrates them in the deeper pockets. Neither is inherently better; it depends on the day and the baitfish activity. Check the tide tables before you go and plan to fish the window when the current is moving.

Parking and Access

Park at the Nahant Town Beach lot on Nahant Road. There is a small fee (usually a few dollars) during summer months, and it is free in the off-season. The lot fills quickly on weekends, especially in summer, so arrive early if you are going on a Saturday or Sunday. From the lot, walk north along the beach toward the rocky points. Short Beach is the first significant cove you will reach—about ten minutes on foot. The walk is easy and mostly flat.

The beach is open to the public, and fishing is allowed year-round. There are no special restrictions specific to Short Beach, but respect private property if you wander beyond the public beach area. Bring water and sunscreen; there is no shade once you are on the rocks, and the sun reflects hard off the water.

What to Bring and What to Expect

Bring a small tackle bag with extra leaders, jig heads, and hooks. The rocks are sharp and will destroy gear quickly. Wear wading boots or shoes with good grip—the rocks are slippery when wet, and a fall can mean a trip to the emergency room. Bring a headlamp if you plan to fish early morning or late evening; the walk back to the parking lot is dark in low light.

Short Beach is not crowded most days, which is one of its appeals. You might see a handful of other anglers on a weekend, but weekday mornings are often quiet. The cove is exposed to the northeast, so wind and weather can change quickly. Check the forecast before you go, and do not fish if a nor'easter is coming—the rocks become dangerous and the fishing shuts down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Short Beach at night?

Yes, and night fishing can be productive for stripers, especially in summer when they move into the shallows after dark. Bring a headlamp and watch your footing on the rocks. The walk back to the parking lot is dark, so plan your exit before full darkness sets in.

What is the best tide for Short Beach?

The hour before and after slack water produces the most consistent action because the current is strongest then. Incoming tide generally outfishes outgoing tide, especially in spring and fall. Check the tide tables and plan to fish the window when the water is moving hardest.

Do I need a boat to fish Short Beach?

No. The cove is fishable entirely from shore. You can reach all the productive water from the beach and rocks without wading deep or needing a boat.

What if the water is too rough to fish?

Short Beach is exposed to the northeast, so nor'easters make it dangerous and unfishable. On those days, move to the western side of Nahant or head to a more sheltered spot. The fishing will be better elsewhere anyway.

Are there other fish besides stripers and flounder?

Occasionally, but rarely. Bluefish show up in late summer and fall, and small cod are possible in winter. The main fishery is stripers and flounder, and that is what you should plan for.