What saury are and where to find them
Saury are long, slender fish with a sharp beak and a greenish back that turns silver on the belly. They're fast swimmers that travel in schools, and they're found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. On the Atlantic side, they range from Nova Scotia down to the Carolinas. In the Pacific, they're most common off California and Oregon, though they move north into British Columbia waters in summer.
Saury prefer cooler water and show up in predictable seasonal patterns. In the Atlantic, they arrive in fall and winter. In the Pacific, the main season runs from late summer through early fall. They feed on small fish and crustaceans and tend to stay in deeper water during the day, moving into shallower areas at dawn and dusk.
Key Takeaways
- Saury are most abundant off the coasts of California, Oregon, and the northeastern Atlantic during their respective seasons, with fall and winter being prime time on the East Coast.
- They respond well to small jigs, spoons, and live bait like sand eels or silversides, and they hit aggressively when they're feeding.
- Charter boats and party boats in coastal towns offer the most reliable access, since saury schools can move quickly and local captains know where they're holding.
- Saury are excellent eating fish with firm, flavorful meat, and many anglers target them specifically for the table rather than sport alone.
Atlantic saury: Northeast coast timing and access
Atlantic saury arrive off the New England and Mid-Atlantic coasts in October and November, with the peak bite often running through December. They congregate in deeper offshore waters, typically 40 to 100 feet down, though they'll move shallower during low-light periods. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York have the most consistent fisheries, with boats operating out of ports like Point Judith, Montauk, and New Bedford.
Party boats and charter boats are the standard way to reach them. A typical trip runs 6 to 8 hours and targets saury alongside other species like mackerel or squid. Expect to pay between $60 and $150 per person on a party boat, depending on the port and the season. Charter boats cost more but give you control over timing and location. Many captains will focus on saury if conditions are right, though you should confirm that before booking.
The fishery can be inconsistent year to year. Saury populations fluctuate based on water temperature and food availability, so some seasons see strong runs and others are quiet. Check with local tackle shops or the party boat captains directly before planning a trip—they'll know whether saury are showing up that week.
Pacific saury: California and Oregon waters
Pacific saury move into California and Oregon waters in late August and September, with the bite typically strongest through October. They're found in shallower water than their Atlantic cousins—often 20 to 60 feet down—and they're more accessible to small boats and even shore anglers in some locations. The main ports are Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Newport, Oregon, where charter and party boats run dedicated saury trips.
Pacific saury are smaller than Atlantic saury on average, running 8 to 12 inches, so they're lighter on the rod but still fun to catch in numbers. They school tightly and can produce fast action when you find them. A typical charter trip costs $80 to $180 per person and lasts 4 to 6 hours. Some boats will also fish for saury from the beach or jetties in northern California and Oregon, which is a free or low-cost option if you have access to the right spots.
Tackle and techniques for saury
Saury respond to small, fast-moving lures and live bait. Small jigs in the 1/4 to 1/2 ounce range work well, especially in silver or white. Spoons are equally effective—a 1-inch spoon cast or jigged vertically will draw strikes. Live sand eels, silversides, or small mackerel are excellent if your boat allows live bait fishing. Saury are aggressive feeders and will hit hard, so you'll feel the bite immediately.
Light to medium-light spinning or conventional tackle is ideal. A 6 to 7-foot rod with 8 to 12-pound test line gives you sensitivity and enough backbone to handle the fight. Saury don't run hard or make long runs, but they're acrobatic and will shake their heads, so a slightly flexible rod helps you keep tension without breaking off.
When you locate a school, work the lure or bait at the depth where fish are showing on the sounder. Saury often suspend at a specific depth, so vertical jigging is often more productive than casting. If you're on a charter or party boat, the crew will direct you to the right technique and depth for that day's conditions.
Seasons and water conditions
Atlantic saury peak in fall and early winter when water temperatures drop to the 50s and low 60s Fahrenheit. They're most reliable from mid-October through December, though some years they linger into January. Pacific saury prefer slightly warmer water in the 55 to 65-degree range and show up when upwelling brings cool, nutrient-rich water to the coast. This typically happens in late summer and early fall.
Both coasts see saury move based on baitfish availability and water temperature. Warm years or years with poor baitfish runs can shift the timing or reduce the bite. Local captains and tackle shops track these patterns closely, so calling ahead is the best way to know whether conditions are favorable for a trip.
Regulations and what you need to know
Saury are not regulated by catch limits in most U.S. waters, which means there are no bag limits or size restrictions. However, regulations can vary by state and change year to year, so check the current rules for the state where you plan to fish. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, California, and Oregon all have their own marine fishing regulations, and they're posted on each state's fish and wildlife website.
If you're fishing from a charter or party boat, the captain and crew handle all regulatory compliance, and your fishing license is usually included in the trip fee or purchased separately for a small add-on cost. If you're fishing from shore or a private boat, you'll need a saltwater fishing license for the state you're in. These cost between $10 and $50 depending on whether you buy a short-term or annual license.
Saury as food and why anglers target them
Saury are excellent eating fish and are prized in Japanese and European cuisine. The meat is firm, flavorful, and oily in a good way—similar to mackerel but milder. Many anglers target saury specifically for the table rather than sport, and a day of saury fishing can yield 20 to 50 fish, which makes for a productive meal.
They're best eaten fresh and can be grilled whole, filleted and pan-fried, or smoked. The bones are small and edible when cooked, so you don't have to fillet them if you don't want to. If you're planning to keep saury, bring a cooler with ice and keep them on ice immediately after catching them. They deteriorate quickly in warm conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time of year to fish for saury?
Atlantic saury peak from October through December. Pacific saury are best from late August through October. Both coasts see variation year to year based on water temperature and baitfish, so checking with local captains or tackle shops before your trip gives you the most current information.
Can I catch saury from shore?
In some locations, yes. Northern California and Oregon jetties and beaches can produce saury during the fall run, especially at dawn or dusk. Atlantic saury are harder to reach from shore because they stay in deeper water, so a boat is usually necessary on the East Coast.
How big do saury get?
Atlantic saury typically run 12 to 16 inches. Pacific saury are smaller, usually 8 to 12 inches. Both are strong fighters for their size and are more fun in numbers than as individual trophy fish.
Do I need special gear to fish for saury?
No. Light to medium-light spinning or conventional tackle works fine. Small jigs, spoons, and live bait are all effective. If you're on a charter or party boat, the crew will provide guidance on what to use that day.
Are saury safe to eat?
Yes. Saury are clean, healthy fish with no known toxins or contamination issues. Keep them on ice immediately after catching, and cook them fresh or freeze them for later. They're best eaten within a few days of catching.