Full Day Adventure and Catch Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing at Jeffery's Ledge for multiple speciesTarget cod, haddock, tuna, halibut and eight other fish varietiesSmall group charter accommodates up to six guests maximum
Captain Andy knows Jeffery's Ledge like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish that'll make your day. This top-rated full day charter targets the productive grounds where Atlantic Cod, Haddock, Pollock, Cusk, and the prized Atlantic Halibut call home. With just six anglers max, you'll have plenty of elbow room and personal attention from a captain who's been working these waters for years. Pack your lunch, bring your camera, and get ready for some serious ground fishing action that keeps locals and visitors coming back season after season.
Your day starts early with a ride out to Jeffery's Ledge, one of New England's most productive fishing grounds. This underwater ridge system creates the perfect habitat for bottom dwellers and attracts baitfish that bring in the bigger predators. Captain Andy will position the boat over structure that's been producing fish, and you'll be dropping lines into 100-300 feet of water where these species love to hang out. The smaller group size means everyone gets prime fishing spots along the rail, and Captain Andy can work with each angler to dial in their technique. Whether you're a seasoned ground fisherman or picking up a rod for the first time, you'll be rigging up with the confidence that comes from fishing proven spots with someone who knows exactly where to find them.
Ground fishing on Jeffery's Ledge is all about getting your bait down to where the fish are feeding and keeping it there. You'll be using heavy sinkers to punch through the current and reach bottom quickly, typically rigging with high-low rigs or fish finder rigs that let your bait move naturally near structure. Captain Andy provides all the tackle you'll need, including circle hooks that improve your hook-up ratio and help with safe releases. The key technique here is feeling bottom, then reeling up a few cranks to keep your bait just off the rocks where cod and haddock cruise looking for an easy meal. When the bite is on, you'll know it – these fish hit hard and pull steady as they try to get back to their rocky homes. The captain will help you work fish up from depth and handle the gaff work on any keepers you want to bring home for dinner.
Atlantic Cod remain the bread and butter of Jeffery's Ledge fishing, and for good reason. These chunky fighters average 3-8 pounds but can push well into double digits when conditions are right. Cod feed most actively during cooler months and early morning hours, making them perfect targets for full day trips. They're curious fish that will investigate anything that looks like food, which is why fresh clams, sea worms, and cut bait work so well. When you hook into a good cod, you'll feel that head-shaking fight as they try to wrap your line around bottom structure.
Haddock are the finicky cousins of cod, but when they're biting, you can fill the cooler fast. These silver-sided beauties typically run smaller than cod but make up for it with their excellent table fare and willingness to bite when others won't. Haddock prefer slightly deeper water and seem to respond better to smaller baits presented on lighter tackle. Their bite feels different too – more of a steady pull than the aggressive strikes you get from cod. Peak haddock action often happens during spring and fall migrations when schools move through the ledge system.
Atlantic Halibut are the prize catch that every angler dreams about. These flatfish can reach massive proportions, with anything over 40 inches considered a trophy. Halibut are ambush predators that lie buried in sand near drop-offs, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim overhead. When a big halibut takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – they pull with incredible power and can strip line off your reel in seconds. Most halibut action happens during summer months when they move into shallower feeding areas, though keeper-sized fish show up throughout the season.
Pollock are the speed demons of the bottom fishing world, hitting baits aggressively and fighting with surprising strength for their size. These dark-backed fish school heavily around structure and will often bite in rapid succession once you locate them. Pollock make excellent eating and are perfect for anglers who want consistent action throughout the day. They're less picky about bait than their cod cousins and will readily take everything from sea worms to metal jigs.
Cusk represent old-school New England fishing at its finest. These eel-like fish prefer the deepest, rockiest areas of the ledge and are most active during night hours and dawn periods. Cusk have powerful jaws filled with sharp teeth, making them capable of crushing shellfish and cutting through lighter leaders. They're considered a delicacy by those who know how to prepare them properly, with firm white meat that holds up well to various cooking methods. Finding consistent cusk action requires local knowledge and patience, which is exactly what Captain Andy brings to the table.
Jeffery's Ledge produces fish year-round, but Captain Andy knows the seasonal patterns that can make your trip legendary. This world-class ground fishing experience gives you access to waters that many anglers only dream about, with a captain who's dedicated his career to putting clients on fish. The six-person limit ensures you'll have room to fish comfortably and get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. Don't wait for the perfect weather window – the best fishing often happens when conditions are challenging, and Captain Andy's experience shines through when others are heading back to port. Contact Captain Andy directly to discuss additional trip possibilities and secure your spot for what could be your best fishing day of the season.
Gadus MorhuaAtlantic cod remain one of the most sought-after fish on Jeffery's Ledge, and for good reason. These bottom-huggers typically range 5-20 pounds with that distinctive barbel under their chin and mottled coloring. They love rocky structure and sandy bottoms in 50-200 feet, especially around the edges where baitfish gather. Winter through early spring is prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavily, but we catch them year-round. What makes cod special is their aggressive strike and excellent fight, plus they're absolutely delicious - that sweet, flaky white meat is hard to beat. The key to consistent cod fishing is getting your bait right on bottom. I always tell guests to use a heavy sinker and keep your bait moving slightly - cod are curious and that little movement triggers strikes when they're being finicky.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusAtlantic halibut are the giants of the flatfish world, and when you hook into one here on Jeffery's Ledge, you'll know it. These diamond-shaped bruisers typically run 30-50 pounds, but we've seen fish push 100+ pounds. They're strong swimmers that love the deeper water around 150-500 feet, usually hanging near the bottom over rocky or sandy structure. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at these powerhouse fish. What makes halibut special is the incredible fight they put up - they'll test your gear and your stamina. Plus, the meat is absolutely top-notch table fare. My tip: once you feel that heavy thump, let the boat drift and keep steady pressure. Don't rush it - these fish have the strength to snap lines if you get impatient.
Brosme BrosmeCusk are one of our more unique catches on Jeffery's Ledge - they look almost eel-like with their long, tapering body and continuous fins. These deep-water specialists typically run 5-15 pounds and live right on the bottom in 200-600+ feet of water over rocky and muddy areas. Winter and spring are your best bet when they're more active, though we catch them year-round since they don't migrate much. What makes cusk interesting is they're often a surprise catch when targeting cod or haddock, and their oily, rich meat is actually excellent for grilling or baking. Since they're sluggish swimmers, the fight isn't much, but landing one is always satisfying. Here's the thing about cusk - they're weak biters, so when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook gently. They have soft mouths and you can easily pull the hook right through if you're too aggressive.
Melanogrammus AeglefinusHaddock are one of the most reliable fish we target on Jeffery's Ledge, and they're perfect for anglers who want consistent action with great table fare. These bottom-dwellers typically run 2-5 pounds and 14-24 inches, with that distinctive black "thumbprint" mark behind their pectoral fin. You'll find them over sandy and rocky bottoms in 60-300 feet of water, often schooled up in good numbers. Spring spawning season from January through June is prime time, but they bite well year-round in our cold New England waters. What guests love about haddock is their willingness to bite and excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Here's a local trick: skip the jigs and use fresh clams on a simple two-hook rig. Haddock prefer natural bait, and you'll get cleaner hooksets in their tender mouths.
Pollachius pollachiusPollock are some of the scrappiest fighters you'll encounter on Jeffery's Ledge, and they'll surprise you with their power. These silver-sided cod relatives typically run 3-8 pounds and love rocky structure in 100-400 feet of water. You can spot them by that pronounced underbite and darker coloring compared to their cod cousins. They're most active during early morning and evening hours, especially around tide changes when baitfish get pushed around the structure. What guests love about pollock is that explosive strike and the way they fight all the way to the boat - they've got more speed than cod and use it. While they're not as prized for eating, they're still good table fare. My advice: bring good boots with ankle support because these fish will try to drag you around the boat. When you hook one, be ready for a real tussle.
Newington, NH