Offshore Fishing Adventures in Groton, CT
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target shark, tuna, and mahi mahi in deep offshore watersAccommodates up to 6 guests per charter tripProfessional charter service with Angler Management Fishing Charters II
Picture this: you're 20+ miles off the Connecticut coast, engines quiet, watching your captain rig up heavy tackle while scanning the horizon for bird activity and temperature breaks. That's where the magic happens with Angler Management Fishing Charters II. We're talking serious offshore action here – the kind where you'll need both hands on the rod and your sea legs under you. This isn't your typical harbor cruise; we're heading to the deep water where the big fish live, and trust me, they don't come easy.
Your day starts early – we're talking 5:30 AM departure to maximize our time on the prime fishing grounds. The ride out takes about an hour, giving you time to get your gear sorted and grab some coffee before the real work begins. Our boat handles up to 6 anglers, which means everyone gets plenty of elbow room and personal attention from the crew. We're not packing you in like sardines here. The waters off Groton give us access to some of Connecticut's most productive offshore grounds, where the continental shelf drops off and the pelagic species we're targeting cruise the current lines. Expect to spend 8-10 hours total on the water, with the majority of that time actively fishing once we reach the grounds.
We run a spread of high-speed trolling lures and live bait when conditions allow. The boat's rigged with top-shelf Penn and Shimano reels spooled with 50-80 pound test – because when a 200-pound tuna decides to make a run, you need gear that won't quit on you. We'll be pulling diving plugs, cedar plugs, and spreader bars through the water column, adjusting our speed based on what we're marking on the fish finder. When we hook up, it's all hands on deck. The crew will coach you through the fight, but make no mistake – you're doing the work. These fish will test your stamina, so come prepared for a workout. We also carry circle hooks for shark fishing, rigged with wire leaders and chunks of fresh bait.
Yellowfin Tuna are the crown jewel of our offshore trips, and these fish are absolute freight trains when they hit. We're talking 40-150 pound fish that'll scream line off your reel faster than you can blink. Peak season runs from July through October when the water temperature hits that sweet spot around 68-72 degrees. These fish travel in schools and feed aggressively on squid and smaller baitfish. What makes yellowfin so special? They fight dirty – long runs, deep dives, and they never give up until they're boat-side. Plus, the meat is restaurant-quality sashimi grade if you decide to keep one for the table.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics to your fishing day. These stunning fish light up in electric blues, greens, and golds when they're fired up, and they love to jump and tailwalk across the surface. We typically find them around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks from June through September. They're smaller than tuna – usually 10-30 pounds in our waters – but they make up for size with pure attitude. Mahi are also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill. They often travel in small schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around.
Thresher Sharks are the wildcards that can show up any time we're fishing offshore waters. These prehistoric predators are known for their distinctive long tail fin, which they use like a whip to stun baitfish. We encounter threshers ranging from 100-300 pounds, and they put up a completely different fight than the tuna or mahi. It's more of a bulldogging, grinding battle that tests your lower back and forearms. Thresher season peaks in late summer when they follow the bait schools closer to shore. We practice catch and release for all sharks, but getting a photo with one of these apex predators is definitely a bragging rights moment.
Look, offshore fishing isn't for everyone – but if you're reading this far, you're probably the type who gets it. This is real fishing, the kind where you might come back empty-handed or you might boat the fish of a lifetime. That's what makes it addictive. Angler Management Fishing Charters II has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and we know where to find them when conditions line up. The boat's equipped, the crew knows their stuff, and all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and a strong back. Don't wait until peak season to book – the best dates fill up fast, especially for weekend trips. Whether you're a seasoned offshore angler or ready to step up from inshore fishing, this is your chance to see what Connecticut's deep water has to offer.
This 32-foot Downeast beauty from Judge Yachts is your ticket to serious offshore action in Groton's productive waters. The 330HP Cummins diesel gets you to the fishing grounds fast and smooth, while the spacious cockpit gives your crew of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work. When those tuna start screaming line or a mako decides to put up a fight, you'll appreciate the solid construction and stable platform this boat provides. The GPS keeps you on the fish and gets you back to port safely. Perfect for targeting sharks, tuna, and mahi in the deep blue beyond Block Island Sound.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll find offshore - flashing gold, blue, and green before fading once boated. Average catch runs 15-29 pounds, though the record hit 87. They're surface dwellers, hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges. These fast-growing fish mature quickly and spawn year-round, keeping populations strong. Summer through fall gives us the best action when water warms up. What guests love most? The acrobatic jumps and that sweet, mild white meat that grills perfectly. We troll ballyhoo or cast artificials, making the bait skip like flying fish. Here's the key: when you hook one, keep others around by leaving hooked fish in the water while rigging fresh lines.
Alopias VulpinusThreshers are the aerial artists of the shark world - that massive tail whips prey at 50 mph and sometimes launches them clear out of the water. Average size runs around 16 feet and 500 pounds, but they max out over 20 feet. Find them 40-50 miles offshore in 60-70 degree water, anywhere from the surface down to 2,000 feet. Late spring through fall brings the best fishing as they follow bait north. Despite their size, they have small mouths and teeth, making the fight more about endurance than worry. We troll mackerel or sardines at 25-50 feet deep, drifting around bait balls at 2-4 knots. Use an 8/0 hook with heavy leader - their tail can wrap your line fast.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfins are the speed demons of the deep - hitting 50 mph with their torpedo-shaped bodies. Most of what we catch here runs 60 pounds, but they can push over 400. Look for them in the top 100 feet during summer months when water temps climb. These warm-blooded fish travel huge distances following bait schools. What makes them special? That initial run will test your drag, and the meat is restaurant-quality - second only to bluefin for sashimi. We target them trolling rigged ballyhoo or jigging when they're deep. Pro tip: when chunking, match whatever baitfish they're feeding on that day. Herring and anchovies work great off our coast. The fight alone makes it worth the trip offshore.
Groton, CT