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Have you Considered:
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Offshore Opportunities
By David Klausmeyer
Interested in catching big saltwater game fish in an unspoiled environment? Maine has everything the discriminating angler could want: quality offshore fishing, beautiful scenery, and expert licensed captains to show you the way.
Shark Fishing: Tussle with the Bad Boys
Shark fishing has become a popular sport among anglers seeking an unusual experience and the chance to tangle with large fish in the open ocean. Several Maine Registered Guides, such as Captains Dave Pecci, Jim Bollinger, and Ben Garfield offer shark-fishing trips using both heavy conventional and fly tackle. A day on the water fishing for sharks is something you’ll never forget.
View all Fishing Guide listings or visit Maine Saltwater Fishing Guides for more information.
Most of Maine’s sharks reside almost 15 miles from shore in water that is about 400 feet deep. On your excursion to the fishing grounds, you’ll likely see whales, dolphins and porpoises. When you reach the area where the bad boys swim, your captain will cut the boat’s engines and drop a bag of chum—usually ground herring—into the ocean. The odor of chum in the water attracts sharks from a great distance, and it won’t take long before the captain announces, “Here they come!” You’ll spot fins slicing through the surface toward your boat, and within minutes you will cast your bait or fly in front of the nose of a blue, mako, thresher, or porbeagle shark. You’ll actually see its mouth open and chomp down on your offering. Hold on: you are in for the fight of your life!
Maine’s offshore waters contain healthy populations of large sharks. The state record for a blue shark caught on conventional tackle weighed 391 pounds, and the fly-rod record is 101 pounds. The state record for a mako shark, which was caught using conventional tackle, was a mighty 680 pounds.
Bluefin Tuna: A Big, Fat Fish
Other anglers prefer to fish for speedy bluefin tuna. Several Maine charter boat captains offer trips to catch these big, fast bruisers. How big? The Maine state record for a bluefin tuna caught on conventional tackle is 819 pounds! Captains Michael Sosik and Rob Odlin are just two of Maine’s experienced deep-sea sport-fishing guides who specialize in catching large tuna.
View all Fishing Guide listings or visit Maine Professional Guides Association website for more information.
More Offshore Fishing in the Deep Blue
In addition to chasing sharks and tuna, anglers interested in fishing Maine’s offshore blue water can enjoy good sport catching pollack, mackerel, flounder, cod, red fish, and other species. Several Maine companies, such as Bar Harbor Fishing Trips, offer affordable half-day saltwater fishing excursions that include all tackle and bait, and are perfect for the entire family.
View Maine Boat Tour listings or visit Maine Saltwater Fishing Guides for more information.
Whether you’re interested in hooking the fish-of-lifetime or just creating memories with the kids and grandkids, Maine offers an offshore fishing trip that is right for you.
The Maine Department of Marine Resources has information about recreational saltwater fishing in Maine, including facts about Maine’s formidable tuna and shark.
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