What You'll Find at Great Point

Great Point sits at the northeastern tip of Nantucket, where the Atlantic pushes hard against a narrow spit of sand and rock. The water here is cold, fast-moving, and loaded with striped bass and bluefish from spring through fall. The point itself is a working lighthouse station—you can see the Great Point Light from the water—and the surrounding flats and channels hold fish on nearly every tide.

This is not a beginner's spot. The access is rough, the currents are serious, and the bottom changes fast. But if you know how to read moving water and can handle a boat in tight quarters, Great Point rewards you with consistent action and the kind of solitude you won't find on the south shore.

Key Takeaways

  • Great Point is accessible only by boat; there is no shore access, and you must launch from Nantucket Harbor or a nearby ramp.
  • Striped bass and bluefish feed on the flats and in the channels around the point during spring, summer, and early fall.
  • The current runs hard here, especially on the flood tide, and the bottom is a mix of sand, rock, and shell that changes with storms.
  • The lighthouse station is active, so stay clear of the light structure itself and respect the marked boundaries.
  • Fishing is best on the moving tide—incoming or outgoing—rather than slack water, and dawn and dusk produce more consistent strikes.

How to Get There and What You Need

You will need a boat. Most anglers launch from Nantucket Harbor—either from a public ramp or a charter service—and run northeast about four miles to Great Point. The ride takes 15 to 20 minutes depending on your boat and the sea state. If you don't own a boat, charter captains based in Nantucket run regular trips to the point, and some will drop you for a half-day if you want to fish on your own.

Bring a shallow-draft boat if you can. The flats around Great Point run 2 to 4 feet deep in many spots, and a skiff or flats boat lets you work water that deeper boats cannot reach. If you're running a center console or larger boat, stay in the channels and work the deeper edges of the flats.

You will also need a Massachusetts saltwater fishing license. Nantucket is part of Massachusetts, and the license is required for anyone 16 and older. You can purchase one online through the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries or at tackle shops on the island.

Striped Bass: Spring Through Fall

Striped bass show up at Great Point in late April and stay through October, with the heaviest concentration from May through September. They hunt the flats on the incoming tide, pushing baitfish—sand eels, silversides, and small mackerel—into the shallows. The best fishing happens in the first two hours of the flood tide and the last two hours of the ebb.

Fish the edges where the flats drop into the channels. A 7-weight fly rod with a 200-grain sinking line and a 2-inch sand eel pattern will work. If you prefer conventional gear, a 3/8-ounce white or chartreuse bucktail jig cast uptide and stripped back works just as well. The bass here are not small—fish in the 20- to 35-pound range are common—so bring 20-pound tippet or 20-pound fluorocarbon leader.

Early morning is better than midday. The light is lower, the water is calmer, and the bass are more aggressive. If you fish the afternoon, focus on the deeper channels and the shaded side of the point where the light is broken.

Bluefish: Summer Aggression

Bluefish arrive in June and peak in July and August. They are faster and more aggressive than striped bass, and they will chase baitfish into water so shallow you can see their backs. Expect fish from 8 to 15 pounds, with occasional larger fish mixed in.

Bluefish are not picky. A white or yellow bucktail, a small popper, or even a shiny spoon will draw strikes. The challenge is not getting them to bite—it's keeping your line intact. Bluefish have sharp teeth and will fray a leader in seconds. Use a short wire bite tippet (6 to 12 inches) between your main leader and your fly or lure. If you're using conventional gear, a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader is the minimum.

Bluefish bite best on the moving tide, just like striped bass, but they are more active in the middle of the day. If the morning bite is slow, stay through midday. The bluefish often turn on when the sun is high.

Reading the Tides and Currents

The current at Great Point is the engine that drives the fishing. On the flood tide, water pushes in from the northeast, and baitfish get pushed onto the flats. On the ebb, water drains back out, and the fish follow. Slack water—the 20 to 30 minutes between tides—is usually slow.

Check the tide tables before you go. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes tide predictions for Nantucket Harbor, and Great Point runs about 20 to 30 minutes ahead of the harbor. Plan to arrive at the point 30 minutes before the tide you want to fish, so you're in position when the water starts to move.

The bottom here is a mix of sand, shell, and scattered rock. After a nor'easter, the bottom can shift, and channels that were 4 feet deep may be 2 feet deep. If you fish Great Point regularly, keep notes on what you find each trip. The changes are gradual, but they add up.

Seasonal Timing and What to Expect

Late April through May is the spring run. Water temperatures are still cool, and the fish are hungry after winter. Striped bass are the main target, and they can be large—some fish over 40 pounds move through the point. The bite is reliable but not explosive.

June through August is peak season. Both striped bass and bluefish are present, the water is warm, and the fishing is consistent. This is also when the island is most crowded, so expect to see other boats at the point, especially on weekends.

September and early October is the fall run. The water cools, and the fish feed aggressively before moving south. This is often the best fishing of the year—fewer boats, hungry fish, and stable weather. By mid-October, the bite slows as the fish move offshore.

Practical Tips for Fishing Great Point

Bring more water and sunscreen than you think you'll need. There is no shade at Great Point, and the sun reflects hard off the water. A hat with a brim and polarized sunglasses are not optional—they help you see the fish and protect your eyes from the glare.

Watch the weather. Great Point is exposed to the open Atlantic, and conditions can change fast. If the wind picks up or a squall moves in, the water gets rough quickly. Check the forecast before you leave, and don't hesitate to head back to the harbor if the conditions deteriorate.

Respect the lighthouse station. The light structure and the keeper's house are off-limits. Stay at least 100 yards away from the buildings, and do not land on the point itself. The area is protected, and there are fines for trespassing.

Fish the slack water if the moving tide is too rough. When the current is running hard, the water can get choppy and the fishing can be difficult. During slack water, the surface is calmer, and you can sight-fish the flats more easily. The bite may be slower, but you'll see more fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a guide to fish Great Point?

No, but a guide is worth the money if you've never fished the point before. A local captain knows the channels, the current patterns, and where the fish stage on different tides. After one or two guided trips, you'll have enough information to fish on your own.

What's the best time of day to fish?

Dawn and dusk are most productive, but the moving tide matters more than the time of day. If the best tide of the day runs at midday, fish at midday. The fish feed on the moving water, not the light.

Can I fish Great Point in winter?

The striped bass and bluefish leave by November, and the water is cold and rough. Winter fishing at Great Point is not practical for most anglers. If you want to fish Nantucket in winter, focus on the south shore and the harbor.

What if I get stuck on the flats?

The flats around Great Point are shallow, and it's possible to run aground if you're not paying attention. Keep your depth finder on, watch the water color, and know your boat's draft. If you do run aground, don't panic—the tide will float you off in a few hours. Carry a VHF radio and let someone know where you're going.

Are there other fish at Great Point besides striped bass and bluefish?

Bonito and false albacore show up in late summer and fall, usually in August and September. They are fast, aggressive, and fun on light tackle. Fluke and scup are also present in the channels, though they are not the main target for most anglers fishing the point.