False Albacore & Bonito Fly Fishing on Martha's Vineyard

Every fall, false albacore and Atlantic bonito, the "hardtails", arrive in the waters around Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. Pound for pound, the false albacore is the hardest-fighting fish in the Northwest Atlantic, with a first run clocked near 40 mph. Boylermaker Charters runs half-day (4 hour) and full-day (8 hour) fly fishing and light tackle charters for albies and bonito from Oak Bluffs with Capt. Jaime Boyle.

When is false albacore season on Martha's Vineyard?

Bonito usually show first, in late summer. False albacore arrive around late August, and the run typically peaks in September and October, ending when water temperatures drop. Timing changes from year to year with water temperature and bait, so the best weeks shift each season.

Where we find albies and bonito

Hardtails feed on small baitfish such as bay anchovies and silversides, pushing them to the surface along rip edges, current lines and island points. Our home water for them is the Elizabeth Islands and the inshore rips off the Vineyard. Jaime fishes them from the Boylermaker, his 24-ft Silverhawk center console, built for the rips and open Sound.

How we fish for them: tactics and flies

Albie fishing is run-and-gun: find busting fish, get ahead of the school, and make a quick, accurate cast before they sound. Small flies that match the bait are key, followed by a fast strip retrieve, and you need a reel with plenty of backing for that first run. Light tackle anglers do the same thing with small metals and jigs.

Jaime designed the Bonito Bunny for these fish. Its palmered cross-cut rabbit strip gives the buoyancy and pulse that false albacore can't resist, and it was built for the rips and current edges of the Elizabeth Islands, where fish move fast and chances don't last. Small epoxy patterns are the other go-to.

A guide with an albie record

Capt. Jaime Boyle has guided the Vineyard for over 30 years and has been a USCG-licensed captain since 1993. His 16.38-pound false albacore from 1990 remains the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby fly rod record. In 2001 he put client Mike Henry on a 9.81-pound albie that locked in a Grand Leader title. More about Captain Jaime.

Book a fall albie charter

Half-day and full-day charters for up to 4 anglers. All flies, leaders and safety equipment are provided, and no fly fishing experience is required. Fall dates fill early, so request your dates on the booking page or call (508) 922-1749.