Boston Tall Ships 2026 Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Combined fishing and tall ships sightseeing during historic harbor eventTarget striped bass and bluefish in Boston Harbor watersExtended fivehour trips accommodate up to six passengers
Here's something you don't see every day – a chance to fish Boston Harbor's hottest spots while taking in one of the most spectacular maritime events in decades. The 2026 Tall Ships celebration marks America's 250th anniversary, and these majestic vessels will grace Boston Harbor from July 6-11. We're combining the best of both worlds: prime fishing for stripers and blues with front-row seats to this once-in-a-lifetime show. Departing from our home port at Hingham Shipyard, this isn't your typical half-day charter – we've extended this trip to a full 5 hours so you can soak it all in.
This is fishing with a serious twist. We'll start by working the productive waters around Hingham, Weymouth, and Boston Harbor – some of the most consistent striper and bluefish grounds on the Massachusetts coast. The beauty of this trip is that you're calling the shots on how we split our time between fishing and sightseeing. Want to spend three hours with lines in the water and two hours cruising among those towering masts and billowing sails? Perfect. Prefer a more laid-back approach with equal time fishing and ship-watching? That works too. The Tall Ships create an backdrop that'll make every photo look like a postcard, but don't worry – we're not sacrificing fishing quality for the scenery. These harbor waters are packed with baitfish during July, which means the stripers and blues are actively feeding and ready to hit your offerings.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what the fish are telling us. Live bait is king in these waters during summer – we're talking fresh pogies, mackerel, and sea worms that drive the stripers absolutely wild. When the blues are schooled up and aggressive, we'll switch to trolling with tube and worm rigs or throw some metal at them. The boat comes rigged with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, and we've got everything from light spinning tackle for slot-sized stripers to heavier gear when the big cows show up. Your first mate will be on deck the entire trip, re-rigging lines, netting fish, and keeping you in the action. Remember, these guys work purely for tips – 20% cash is standard and expected. They're the ones who'll make sure your drag is set perfectly and your bait presentation is dialed in tight.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of New England fishing, and Boston Harbor serves up some serious quality during the summer months. These fish range from schoolie-sized 18-inchers that'll give you a great fight on light tackle up to trophy cows pushing 40+ pounds that'll test your drag system and your patience. July is prime time – the water temperature is perfect, baitfish are abundant, and these bass are actively feeding in the shallows and around structure. What makes stripers special is their intelligence and finicky nature. One minute they'll slam anything you throw at them, the next they want a specific presentation at a precise depth. When you hook into a big striper, you'll know it immediately – that first powerful run and head shake is pure magic.
Bluefish bring the aggression factor to this fishery. These toothy predators hunt in schools and when they're feeding, it's pure chaos on the water. Blues in Boston Harbor typically run from 3-8 pounds, with some larger specimens pushing double digits. They hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up until they're in the boat. What's exciting about bluefish is their feeding frenzies – when you find a school working baitfish on the surface, it's game on. The water literally boils with activity, and you can cast anything with a hook into the mayhem and expect instant results. They're also fantastic table fare when handled properly, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
The Tall Ships only visit Boston Harbor once every few decades, and this 2026 celebration promises to be the maritime event of our lifetime. At $750 for up to four anglers with room for two additional passengers at $100 each, you're getting premium fishing access plus a front-row seat to maritime history. The extended 5-hour format gives you plenty of time to work the fish and appreciate the spectacle without feeling rushed. Boston Harbor's summer fishing is consistently productive, but adding the Tall Ships element makes this trip something truly special. These dates will fill up fast once word gets out – serious anglers and history buffs alike are going to want in on this action. Don't wait until the last minute and miss your shot at combining world-class striper fishing with one of the most photogenic maritime displays you'll ever witness.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive fighters that'll give you an arm workout every time. These torpedo-shaped fish with razor-sharp teeth usually weigh 3-15 pounds in our waters and are pure muscle. They travel in schools through Boston Harbor's open waters and around bait pods from mid-June through October. What makes bluefish fishing addictive is their explosive strikes and non-stop fight - they never give up. They're excellent table fare when handled properly, with flaky white meat. Blues will hit almost anything moving, from metal jigs to chunk bait. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - their teeth will slice through regular line in seconds. When you find one bluefish, there's usually a whole school nearby, so stay put and keep casting.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Boston Harbor fishing. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we see bigger ones. They're structure lovers - you'll find them near drop-offs, around the harbor islands, and along rocky shorelines. Summer through early fall is prime time when they migrate north to our cooler waters. What makes stripers special? They fight hard, taste great, and are smart fish that'll test your skills. They love live bait like mackerel and herring, but also hit lures well. My go-to tip: watch for birds diving on baitfish - that's where the stripers are feeding underneath. The action can be fast and furious when you find them schooled up.
Boston, MA