Full Day Offshore Fishing Trip in Fairhaven
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing targeting five popular speciesEight-hour trip includes breakfast and lunch onboardExpert captain provides gear and local knowledge
Captain William Guenon runs one of the top-rated offshore fishing operations out of Fairhaven, and his 2024 282 Sportsman is built for serious fishing. This isn't your typical harbor cruise – we're talking about an 8-hour commitment to putting you on fish in Massachusetts' most productive offshore waters. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a legendary one. The captain brings decades of local knowledge to every trip, and his track record speaks for itself when it comes to finding Black Sea Bass, Blackfin Tuna, Bluefish, Striped Bass, and Summer Flounder.
Your day starts early at 6:00 AM sharp from Edgewater Street – and there's a good reason for that early departure. The best fishing happens when most people are still hitting the snooze button. Captain Guenon knows exactly where to find the structure and current breaks that hold fish, and he's not afraid to run to the spots that produce. The 282 Sportsman handles offshore conditions like a champ, giving you a stable platform to work from while covering serious ground. Breakfast and lunch are provided onboard, so you can focus entirely on fishing instead of worrying about provisions. This trip caters to everyone from first-time offshore anglers to seasoned veterans who've been chasing fish for decades. The captain adjusts his approach based on your experience level, making sure beginners feel confident while keeping experts challenged.
Captain Guenon supplies all the gear you'll need, and he doesn't cut corners on equipment quality. We're talking about rods and reels that can handle everything from finicky flounder to hard-fighting tuna. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll be using techniques ranging from bottom fishing with bucktails and bait to trolling spreader bars and umbrella rigs. The captain reads the water like a book – watching for bird activity, bait schools, and temperature breaks that indicate where predators are feeding. Live bait fishing is a specialty when conditions allow, and there's nothing quite like watching a striper or bluefish crush a live mackerel. Circle hooks and proper fish handling techniques ensure healthy releases when you're practicing catch and release. The boat's electronics include top-of-the-line fish finders and GPS units that mark productive spots, but the captain's experience reading water conditions often trumps technology when it comes to finding fish.
Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of Massachusetts offshore fishing, and these chunky fighters are active from late spring through fall. They love structure – wrecks, rocky bottom, and artificial reefs – where they ambush crabs and small baitfish. A good-sized sea bass runs 3-5 pounds, but the real trophies can push 8 pounds or more. They're fantastic table fare, which makes them a customer favorite for anglers who love bringing dinner home. The key to consistent sea bass fishing is staying tight to bottom structure and using the right presentation.
Blackfin Tuna show up during summer months when warm water moves inshore, and these speedsters will test your tackle and technique. They're smaller than their bluefin cousins – typically running 10-20 pounds – but they make up for size with pure athleticism. When you hook into a blackfin, expect blistering runs and aerial displays that'll get everyone on the boat excited. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around. Fresh blackfin makes incredible sushi and sashimi, and Captain Guenon knows how to handle and ice fish properly for the best table quality.
Bluefish are the wolves of the offshore waters, traveling in packs and absolutely destroying anything that looks like food. These aggressive predators range from "snapper" blues around a pound to "horse" blues pushing 15 pounds or more. When you find a bluefish blitz, the action can be non-stop with fish hitting lures, bait, and anything else you throw at them. They're excellent fighters with sharp teeth, so wire leaders are essential. Bluefish are oily and rich, perfect for smoking or grilling, and their aggressive nature makes them ideal for getting kids and beginners excited about fishing.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of New England fishing, and Massachusetts offshore waters hold some true giants. These fish are built for power, with broad shoulders and the stamina to make long, determined runs. Keeper-sized stripers start at 28 inches, but the real prizes are the 40+ inch cows that can weigh 30 pounds or more. Stripers are structure-oriented, relating to drop-offs, boulder fields, and underwater ledges where they hunt for herring, mackerel, and squid. They're also excellent table fare when properly handled, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or baking.
Summer Flounder, or fluke, are the ultimate flatfish challenge and one of the best eating fish in local waters. These ambush predators bury themselves in sandy bottom and wait for prey to swim by, then strike with lightning speed. A good fluke runs 3-5 pounds, but doormat-sized fish over 8 pounds are the stuff of fishing legends. They require patience and the right technique – keeping your bait moving just off bottom while maintaining feel for those subtle bites. Fluke season peaks during summer months, and Captain Guenon knows the specific pieces of structure and depth ranges that consistently produce quality fish.
This full-day offshore adventure delivers the complete Massachusetts fishing experience, from the pre-dawn departure to the satisfaction of a cooler full of fresh fish. Captain Guenon's combination of local knowledge, quality equipment, and genuine passion for putting clients on fish makes this a world-class fishing opportunity. Whether
The 2024 28' Sportsman cuts through Massachusetts waters with authority, powered by twin 300 HP Yamaha engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast. This motorboat handles offshore conditions with ease while keeping up to 6 anglers comfortable during those long days chasing stripers and sea bass. The fighting chair is positioned perfectly for battling bigger fish, while the livewell keeps your bait lively and your catch fresh. Outriggers spread your lines wide for trolling, and the GPS/fish finder combo helps locate those productive bottom structures where the fish stack up. Captain William knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this boat gives him everything needed to put you on the fish. Whether you're working jigs on the bottom or running and gunning for bluefish, the Sportsman delivers the speed, stability, and fishing features that make the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are one of our most reliable offshore targets, running 1-4 pounds typically, with some nice 6+ pounders mixed in. You'll find them around wrecks, rocky bottom, and structure in 40-120 feet of water from late spring through fall. They're great fighters for their size and absolutely delicious - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. These fish put up a solid fight until they break the surface, then they tend to give up. What makes them special is they're born female and turn male as they get older - the bigger ones with the prominent hump on their head are the males. Use squid or clam strips on a two-hook rig. Pro tip: once you find them, stay put - they school up tight on structure.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but pack serious punch for their size. Most run 10-25 pounds, though we occasionally hook into 40+ pounders. These beautiful fish have that classic tuna build with distinctive black fins and a golden stripe that fades quickly after they're caught. You'll find them in deeper offshore waters, usually 100+ feet, especially around temperature breaks and current edges. They're most active here during warmer months when water temps hit the upper 60s. What guests love is their fierce fighting ability - they make long runs and really test your drag. The meat is top-notch, perfect for sashimi. My tip: scale down your tackle - use fluorocarbon leaders and smaller hooks since these fish have sharp eyesight.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are some of the most aggressive fighters you'll find in these waters. These voracious predators typically run 3-8 pounds, though we see some pushing 15+ pounds during peak season. They show up in our area mid-June through October, following bait schools along the coast. Blues love hitting anything that moves - spoons, poppers, or chunk bait work great. They've got razor-sharp teeth, so bring a wire leader or expect to lose some lures. The meat is excellent when fresh, especially the smaller ones. Here's a local tip: when you see diving birds working the surface, get there fast - that's usually blues tearing into baitfish, and they'll hit just about anything you throw at them.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Massachusetts fishing - these silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes can run anywhere from schoolie size up to 40+ pound cows. You'll find them around structure, drop-offs, and wherever baitfish gather, from shallow rips to deeper offshore waters. They're here pretty much year-round but peak fishing happens during spring and fall migrations. What makes stripers special is their combination of size, fight, and eating quality - they're strong swimmers that make good runs. The meat is firm and sweet, perfect for the grill. They can be picky eaters, so matching the local bait is key. Pro tip: look for working birds and surface activity - that usually means stripers are pushing bait to the surface.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke," are masters of camouflage that lie flat on sandy or muddy bottom waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches and 2-5 pounds, but we catch plenty of "doormat" fluke pushing 8+ pounds. They're found in 20-80 feet of water around drop-offs, channels, and anywhere current moves baitfish. Best fishing is typically May through October when they're actively feeding in shallower water. What makes them fun is they're excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat. They're also unique since both eyes are on one side of their head. Use bucktails tipped with squid or whole squid on a drift. Local tip: keep your bait moving just off the bottom - fluke like motion and will follow a jig before striking.
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