Tarpaulin Cove #408

Tarpaulin Cove

Cast close to shore around rocks on either side; the rock pile below the lighthouse is a particularly good spot. This spot consistently holds small fish in the day, particularly in the spring. Later in the summer, it’s a good starting point for fishing your way down the Elizabeth Islands. It’s better in the evening with 10” and 14” soft plastics. In the fall, keep an eye out for bonito and false albacore cruising down the sound side.

It’s also worth trying to cast live eels rigged on 6/0 live bait hooks into the rocks and slowly retrieve. If you feel a tap or bump, put reel into free-spool and count to three before setting hook.

Troll tubes on light tackle all along the shore. A large rip develops a few hundred yards off the southwest corner of cove, running out into Vineyard Sound — jigs and large swimming plugs are ideal. As with all trolling spots along the Elizabeth islands, troll slowly & with the tide.

For bottom fish, anchor/drift in 15 – 20 feet of water anywhere in the cove and fish sea worms or squid strips for fluke, sea bass or big scup. Green crabs work best for tautog.

• Approximate Lat & Long:  41°28’ N, 70°45’ W
• Best Tide: Mid point of incoming (east) until slack high.
• Hazards: Shallow, rocky bottom along northeast side.
• NOAA Chart Number: 13230
• Tide Chart: Click Here
• Marine Weather: Click Here