Bass & Tuna Combo Charter - Northeast Offshore
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10-hour combo trip targeting stripers and bluefin tunaShallow water trophy fishing followed by offshore actionSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests aboard
This isn't your typical half-day trip. Blue Bandit Charters has put together something special here – a full 10-hour adventure that lets you chase two of the Northeast's most prized gamefish in one shot. We're talking trophy Striped Bass in the shallows followed by monster Bluefin Tuna offshore. It's the kind of combo trip that serious anglers dream about, and with only 4 spots available, you're getting that intimate charter experience where everyone gets plenty of rod time.
Your day starts early – we're talking pre-dawn departure to make the most of those 10 hours. The beauty of this combo setup is how we structure the day around fish behavior and tidal movements. We'll begin working the shallow waters and structure where the big Stripers like to hang out, using the morning bite to our advantage. Once we've had our fill of bass action, we'll make the run offshore to the deeper waters where the Bluefin Tuna are prowling. The transition from inshore to offshore fishing gives you two completely different experiences in one trip. You'll feel the change as we leave the protected waters behind and hit the open ocean – that's when you know the real adventure begins. With a small group of just 4 anglers, everyone gets personal attention from the crew, and there's no fighting for position at the rail.
We run different game plans for each target species, and that means switching up our approach as the day progresses. For the Striped Bass portion, we'll work with live bait presentations around structure, casting plugs and soft plastics, and sometimes trolling if the fish are scattered. The tackle is scaled for handling 20 to 40-pound class fish that know how to use the current and structure to their advantage. When we transition offshore for the Bluefin, everything changes – we're talking heavy conventional reels, circle hooks, and chunk baits or live offerings that can handle fish in the 100+ pound range. The crew will have you set up with the right gear for each phase, but if you've got your own favorite rods, feel free to bring them along. We'll also run different techniques based on what the fish are showing us – sometimes it's a steady troll, other times we're drifting chunks or working live baits around schools we mark on the electronics.
Striped Bass are the Northeast's signature inshore gamefish, and for good reason. These fish are smart, strong, and incredibly rewarding to catch. In our local waters, we see fish ranging from solid 20-pounders up to true trophy specimens pushing 40+ pounds. Stripers are structure-oriented fish – they love points, drop-offs, boulder fields, and areas where current creates feeding opportunities. They're most active during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk, which is why we time the inshore portion of our trip to coincide with optimal feeding periods. What makes Stripers so exciting to target is their aggressive strikes and powerful runs. When a big bass hits your bait, you'll know it immediately – they don't mess around. The best action typically runs from late spring through fall, with some of the biggest fish showing up during the fall migration.
Bluefin Tuna represent the pinnacle of offshore fishing in the Northeast. These are apex predators that can exceed 200+ pounds and fight like nothing else in our waters. Bluefin are incredibly athletic fish – they're built for speed and endurance, with the ability to make blistering runs that will test your tackle and your stamina. What sets Bluefin apart is their intelligence and wariness. They're not easy fish to fool, which makes every hookup that much more satisfying. The best Bluefin action in our area typically runs from late spring into fall, when the fish follow bait schools along the continental shelf. These fish feed heavily on mackerel, herring, and squid, and we adjust our bait selection based on what they're keying in on. When you hook a big Bluefin, be ready for a battle that can last 30 minutes or more – they'll take you deep, then come up and greyhound across the surface. It's the kind of fight that reminds you why offshore fishing gets into your blood.
A 10-hour combo trip targeting both trophy Striped Bass and giant Bluefin Tuna doesn't come around every day. Blue Bandit Charters has dialed in the timing and technique to give you the best shot at both species in one amazing day on the water. With only 4 spots available, this is the kind of trip that fills up fast, especially during prime season when both species are feeding heavily. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some variety to your fishing or someone who wants to experience the full range of what Northeast fishing has to offer, this combo trip delivers. The memories from a day like this – landing a trophy Striper in the morning and battling a giant Bluefin in the afternoon – are what fishing dreams are made of. Don't wait around wondering what could have been. Reserve your spot and get ready for one of the best fishing experiences the Northeast has to offer.
This fully equipped motorboat is your ticket to Northeast waters where Stripers and Bluefin Tuna roam. Built for serious anglers, she comes loaded with a fish finder to pinpoint those monster Bluefin schools and GPS navigation to guide you from shallow Striper waters to deep offshore grounds. The spacious cockpit handles up to 4 anglers comfortably during those marathon 10-hour battles. An onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh whether you're hauling in trophy Stripers from the shallows or wrestling massive Bluefin in open water. The head means no cutting trips short, so you can focus on what matters - landing Northeast gamefish. From shallow water structure to offshore canyons, this boat handles the full spectrum of Northeast fishing conditions. Perfect for anglers who want to maximize their time on productive water without compromising on comfort or fish-fighting capability.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the ultimate offshore prize - these torpedo-shaped giants average 6 feet and 550 pounds, but can double that size. We find them in deep water around 50-200 feet, often near temperature breaks and bait schools. Peak season runs late spring through early fall when they follow the baitfish north. The fight is legendary - expect blazing surface runs and deep dives that'll test your gear and stamina. The meat is world-class, especially for sushi. Pro tip: when you mark a school, don't just troll through it - stop and chunk with fresh herring or mackerel. Set up a chum slick and be patient. When they come up feeding, that's when magic happens.
Morone SaxatilisThese silver-sided beauties with their distinctive dark stripes are what make Northeast fishing special. Most stripers we see run 20-40 pounds, though trophy fish can hit 50+ pounds. They love structure - rocks, drop-offs, and moving water near shore. Spring through fall migration brings the best action, especially dawn and dusk when they feed actively in the shallows. Stripers fight hard with powerful runs and head shakes, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a tip that works: when the water's moving on an incoming tide around structure, cast live eels or chunk bait just uptide of the rocks. Let it drift naturally - that's when the big girls usually hit.
Harwich Port, MA