Offshore

Jeffreys Ledge

Offshore · New Hampshire · Jeffreys Ledge / Gulf of Maine

Location Snapshot

Jeffreys Ledge is an offshore Gulf of Maine fishery built around a named rocky ledge and surrounding groundfish water, distinct from the Portsmouth / Piscataqua estuary. Atlantic cod, haddock, and Atlantic bluefin tuna are the principal supported targets, with pollock adding another coldwater offshore opportunity.

Information Only

StrikeTracks does not currently provide an Offshore fishing-condition rating. Marine Conditions are observations and forecasts for trip planning. They are not an Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor fishing score.

Marine Conditions

Planning context — not a fishing rating.

Marine Forecast

Today

NE winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft, building to 7 to 8 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: E 8 ft at 11 seconds and N 4 ft at 4 seconds, becoming E 8 ft at 10 seconds and N 7 ft at 6 seconds.

Wave Height

5.6 ft

At this destination

Jeffrey's Ledge, NH (44098) · NDBC 44098

Wave Period

10 s

At this destination

Jeffrey's Ledge, NH (44098) · NDBC 44098

Wave Direction

At this destination

Jeffrey's Ledge, NH (44098) · NDBC 44098

Marine Alerts

Small Craft Advisory · Minor — Small Craft Advisory issued October 20 at 2:16AM EDT until October 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA

Nearby fishing destinations

Stellwagen Bank26.7 mi
Massachusetts · Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary / Massachusetts Bay · Offshore
Approximately 26.7 miles away
Gloucester / Cape Ann29.7 mi
Massachusetts · Massachusetts North Shore · Harbor
Approximately 29.7 miles away
Portsmouth / Piscataqua River33.1 mi
New Hampshire · Gulf of Maine / New Hampshire Seacoast · Estuary
Approximately 33.1 miles away

Fishery Profile

Fishery Overview

Jeffreys Ledge offshore fishery

Jeffreys Ledge is a offshore ledge destination in NH. Distinct from the Portsmouth Piscataqua estuary. Portions overlap Stellwagen NMS. Fishing is generally allowed.

Fishery type: Offshore ledge
Fishing modes: Offshore boat
Habitat and structure: Rocky ledge · Gulf of Maine groundfish water

Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Not a live bite forecast.

Fishery Targets

Cod and haddock are seasonal groundfish here. Bluefin tuna are seasonal, and federal rules change each year. Pollock follow a typical season.

This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.

Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations

Atlantic cod
Primary
Gadus morhua
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: APRIL — OCTOBER
Haddock
Primary
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: APRIL — OCTOBER
Atlantic bluefin tuna
PrimaryRegulations vary annually
Thunnus thynnus
Also called Bluefin tuna
Typical seasonal opportunity: LATE SPRING — SUMMER
Pollock
Secondary
Pollachius virens
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING — FALL

Typical Seasonal Targets

Atlantic cod — APRIL — OCTOBER
Haddock — APRIL — OCTOBER
Atlantic bluefin tuna — LATE SPRING — SUMMER
Pollock — SPRING — FALL

Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.

How to Fish Jeffreys Ledge

Typical October approaches include bottom and structure jigging and mark-and-drift groundfish for Atlantic cod and Haddock.

Bottom and structure jigging
Vertical or short-hop jigs on live bottom, wrecks, banks, or ledges from an offshore boat.
Best for
- Atlantic cod
- Haddock
Modes
- Offshore boat
Setup
- Medium-heavy jigging and bottom tackle
Mark-and-drift groundfish
Drift or slow-present baits on marked groundfish water. Drift or slow-present baits on the marked groundfish water.
Best for
- Atlantic cod
- Haddock
Modes
- Offshore boat
Setup
- Medium-heavy jigging and bottom tackle

Common Tackle Setups

Medium-heavy jigging and bottom tackle
Jigging or conventional bottom outfits heavy enough for grouper, snapper, or groundfish. Circle-hook bottom rigs where required.
Rod
Match rod class to the listed offshore techniques.
Used for
- Bottom and structure jigging
- Mark-and-drift groundfish

Typical October Lures and Flies

Common lure and fly families associated with this month’s techniques.

Diamond-style jig
Lure
- Atlantic cod
- Haddock
Midwater to variable · Jig, fast, steady
Cast and retrieve with a steady or pulsed cadence through bait schools
Vertical metal jig
Lure
- Atlantic cod
- Haddock
Midwater to bottom · Jig, fast
Maintain contact and vary hop height until fish show a preferred cadence
Reef and structure jig
Lure
- Atlantic cod
- Haddock
Bottom · Jig, slow
Maintain near-bottom contact without burying the jig in snags

General seasonal guidance, not a live recommendation, product endorsement, or guarantee of success.

Access, Safety and Regulations

Access

Offshore boat from New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts ports. No shore access.

Primary hazards

Gulf of Maine seas and mixed MA/NH traffic. Portsmouth harbor tide is not ledge-local.

Fishery considerations

Harbor tides do not describe this ledge.
Regional marine weather. Buoy 44098 describes the ledge, not the harbor.

Regulations

Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.

View current recreational saltwater regulations

Fishery Sources

Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.

Location and Access

Offshore · New Hampshire

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This marker is the mapped fishing area. It is not a boat ramp, a parking area, or a place to drive to.