Enjoy the Summer Bonito Bonanza on the East Coast

As water temperatures in the Atlantic rise, bonito fishing hits a frenzied pace.

July 11, 2025 By Tom Keer

The wind was light enough that even the most hardened landlubber wouldn’t get seasick, but dang if I didn’t get dizzy from watching the terns. Some birds flew uptide, others went downtide, but the most reliable birds were high in the sky. When a bait ball was pushed up to the surface, the terns would drop down for an easy meal. The water temp was too hot for the fish underneath to be striped bass, and they weren’t bluefish either, which left just one possible suspect: Bonito!

BONITO MADNESS

The Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) is a pelagic fish that spends most of its time offshore. They arrive when the Gulf Stream consistently pushes 70-degree water inshore, which typically occurs in mid- to late July. They aren’t fans of cold water, and as the Gulf Stream retracts and water temperatures drop, usually around late October or early November, they leave.

Anglers love catching bonito due to their muscular, bullet-shaped bodies and a hard, forked tail that propels them to speeds up to 40 mph. Bonito are ram ventilators, a term for fish that must consistently swim fast to get enough oxygen. They have teeth, but instead of stopping for a meal, they swallow small baitfish whole on the run. Favorite forage includes silversides, bay anchovies and sandeels, as well as young-of-the-year tinker mackerel, peanut bunker and butterfish. Although the world record bonito is 18 pounds, most top out around 12 pounds and 30 inches in length.

Some ray bonito fish served for dinner. — Bonito is often confused with false albacore but taste distinctively different. Their speed, power and palatability make them a popular species. (Shutterstock photo)

The bonito goes by nicknames like “bones” and “green beans,” but are not to be confused with what southern anglers call “bonita,” aka false albacore. Atlantic bonito taste delicious, so if you catch one, bleed it immediately and put it on ice. Slice filets into pieces, stir fry in soy sauce and serve over rice. Or coat filets with mayonnaise and toss them on the grill.

LURES AND FLIES

Stick jigs like Deadly Dicks, Kastmasters and Al’s Saltwater Goldfish work great, as do soft plastics in a variety of colors. Bonito like small baitfish, so try smaller stick baits with green, blue or brown backs. Fly rodders use Flatwings, Deceivers, Clousers, Mushmouths and epoxies in colors that match the bait.

Bonito love current, and they’ll often follow the edge between fast- and slow-moving water. The most common spots are rips, particularly where there is a dramatic depth change in the bottom. River mouths, jetties and break walls offer similar sharp declines. Fast currents around reefs and inshore islands are worth exploring as well.

Schools of bonito pop up and down. They trade places quickly, and the school that was in front of you a moment ago can be 200 yards away in an instant. If you’re in an area where a few schools have popped up, don’t move. Another school will eventually show. Move when fish cease to appear.

Ask any bonito junkie with a sunburned face where he found them, and his spots will be different from one day to the next, but there are lots of places to chase bonito up and down the coast. Here are some spots where you can start your search.

BONITO BULLSEYE DESTINATIONS

MID CAPE COD

An arial view of a resort in Chatham, Mass. — Though bonito are generally a pelagic species, they do venture close to shore on occasion. Chatham, Mass., is a great place to start your search. (Photo courtesy of Chatham Tides)

Where to Fish: The Gulf Stream pushes warm water close to shore at Chatham, Mass. Bonito like edge drop-offs, and there is a good one on the dropping tide at Hardings Beach and Hardings Point. Chatham Harbor above the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is another fun spot, and if you have a boat, check out the east side of Monomoy Island and the Monomoy Rips.
Where to Stay: The Chatham Tides Hotel is on the water and offers clean, affordable rooms.
Where to Eat: It’s tough to beat the nightlife, suds and grub at The Chatham Squire. It’s always a good time, even after Labor Day.
Tackle Shops: North Chatham Outfitters in North Chatham is a full-service shop with a guide network for both light tackle and fly.
Public Ramp: Ramps in Chatham are heavily focused toward resident use, so try the Bass River ramp in Yarmouth. It accommodates 68 trailers and is a midpoint spot that allows captains to hit spots to Chatham in the east but also spots to the west.

UPPER CAPE COD

The fishing resort on the East Coast called Falmouth Tides. — From July through September, bonito begin to crowd Upper Cape waters where they chase sand eels and other small baitfish. The Falmouth Tides is an ideal base of operations. (Photo courtesy of Falmouth Tides)

Where to Fish: Any of the mouths of the salt ponds are solid bets. The mouth of Waquoit Bay, Popponesset, Loop Beach, Green Pond and Great Pond attract bonito.
Where to Stay: The Falmouth Tides. It’s near the ferry, and in between ferry runs you might catch a blitz a short walk from your digs. If the fishing sucks, catch the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. The bonito bite might be better there.
Where to Eat: Grumpy’s in Falmouth gets the nod as a dive bar with decent grub (or you can bring your own food) and live music.
Tackle Shops: Eastman’s Sport and Tackle in Falmouth has been in business since 1988. The Bear’s Den in Taunton focuses on fly-fishing and has an assortment of hot local flies as well as guides for hire.
Public Ramp: The Great River Ramp at Waquoit Bay puts you right in the middle of the action. It’s resident-only through Labor Day and free after that.

RHODE ISLAND

A photo of the front of Phil & Ann's Suneset Motel. — Photo courtesy of Phil and Ann’s

Where to Fish: You’ll find ocean speedsters in a lot of places, but start looking in South County. The breachway at Quonnie Pond, the Charlestown Breachway, along East Beach and the West Wall at Point Judith are top spots. Or head to Napatree Point and Watch Hill Lighthouse.
Where to Stay: Phil and Ann’s Sunset Motel is a family-owned business and has been for years. It’s a throwback, with simple lodging. Rhode Island is easy to get around, and the motel is in the middle of the South County action.
Where to Eat: It’s always party time at the Ocean Mist at Matunuck Beach. The Mist has a lot of great bands and a college vibe. It’s a tremendous amount of fun all year long, but especially in summer.
Tackle Shops: The Saltwater Edge in Middletown is fully stocked for both light tackle and fly. Peter Jenkins, the owner, is a hardtail junkie, and the shop has a guide network, too.
Public Ramp: The Galilee Boat Ramp in Narragansett is minutes from the West Wall and a short run to points to the west. Or head to Point Judith and then north, as bonito run Scarborough Beach, too.

NEW YORK

Fried tacos with bonito fish. — Bonito has a great taste and can be cooked in a variety of ways. (Photo courtesy of The Gig Shack)

Where to Fish: The Empire State features the warm water, bait and edges that bonito like, too. Places like Breezy Point, Coney Island, Jones Beach and East Rockaway Inlet get a lot of traffic. Head east to Shinnecock Inlet, Shelter and Gardiner’s islands and along the North Fork beaches for smaller crowds.
Where to Stay: Rates can be high in summer, though they drop after Labor Day. For clean, cheap digs, check out the Montauk Breakers or the Ocean Resort Inn.
Where to Eat: If you’re out east, head to 668 The Gig Shack, aka “The Shack” in Montauk. The owner, Arden Gardell, is a fishhead and loves to hammer bonito.
Tackle Shops: If you work in Manhattan, pick up supplies for your trip at The Urban Angler on 5th Avenue in Midtown. If you’re on Long Island, check out Camp-Site Sport Shop in Huntington.
Public Ramp: If you’re fishing out east, the Village of Sag Harbor Ramp and the Northwest Harbor Park in East Hampton have limited parking, so get there early. Hempstead Town Marina West at Point Lookout is close to Jones Inlet.

NEW JERSEY

Where to Fish: The extensive New Jersey beach break makes catching bonito easier by boat than by boots. Sandy Hook is a good spot, and schools frequently show up off Monmouth Beach. Check out the Shark River Inlet and Manasquan Inlet, too.
Where to Stay: The Ocean Plaza Hotel in Ocean Grove is across from the beach. Another option is the Casa Del Mar at Point Pleasant Beach on the south side of Manasquan Inlet.
Where to Eat: Head to the Shady Rest Restaurant in Bayville. It was owned by the late Bob Popovics, a saltwater fly-rodder and fly-tyer who developed a number of patterns for bonito.
Tackle Shops: Julian’s Bait and Tackle in Middletown is close to Sandy Hook, while Fisherman’s Supply Company in Point Pleasant Beach is near Manasquan Inlet.
Public Ramp: Use the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina for the Sandy Hook area and Hoffman’s Marina East for Manasquan Inlet.