Full Day Bluefin Tuna & Shark Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour offshore charter targets bluefin tuna, mahi, and sharksExpert crew provides equipment for mako, thresher, hammerhead fishingSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests per trip
Picture this: you're 30 miles offshore in the deep Atlantic waters off Freeport, surrounded by nothing but blue horizon and the anticipation of what's lurking beneath. This 12-hour offshore fishing adventure with Carolann P Fishing Charters puts you right in the heart of some of the most productive fishing grounds on the East Coast. We're talking about a serious day on the water where trophy bluefin tuna, lightning-fast mahi mahi, and apex predators like mako and thresher sharks call the shots. With just 4 anglers max, you'll get the personal attention and prime fishing spots that make all the difference between a good day and a legendary one.
This isn't your average half-day trip close to shore. We're heading out to the deep water where the real monsters live, and that means a full commitment to the offshore game. The day starts early at the dock in Freeport, where you'll meet your captain and crew who know these waters like the back of their hand. The boat is rigged with top-shelf tackle and electronics to put you on fish, whether we're trolling for pelagics or anchored up with fresh bait for sharks. With only 4 spots available, there's no crowding at the rail – everyone gets their shot at the fish of a lifetime. The Atlantic can serve up anything from flat calm mornings to choppy afternoon seas, but that's all part of the offshore experience. Your crew prioritizes safety above all else, so you can focus on what you came for: hooking into serious fish.
Offshore fishing is a different animal than nearshore work, and the techniques we use reflect that reality. For bluefin tuna, we'll run spreads of cedar plugs, diving plugs, and ballyhoo on the troll, covering water until we mark fish on the sonar or spot diving birds. When mahi mahi are around, they often show up in floating sargassum or under debris lines, so we'll work those edges with both trolled baits and live offerings. Shark fishing takes patience and the right setup – we'll anchor or drift with fresh bunker, mackerel, or bluefish chunks on heavy circle hooks and wire leaders. The boat comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle designed for these species, but if you've got your own gear and want to bring it, most captains appreciate anglers who know their equipment. Fighting chairs and gimbaled belts are standard for the big fish, because when you hook a 200-pound bluefin or an 8-foot mako, you'll need every advantage you can get.
The target species list reads like an offshore angler's dream sheet, and each one brings its own challenge to the table. Bluefin tuna are the crown jewel of Northeast offshore fishing – these fish can top 300 pounds and will test your endurance with runs that peel line off the reel like it's going out of style. They're most active during the cooler months and early season, often feeding on schools of bunker and mackerel in 60-120 feet of water over structure. Yellowfin tuna prefer warmer water and typically show up mid to late summer, offering blistering speed and incredible stamina on lighter tackle.
Mahi mahi, or common dolphinfish, are the acrobats of the offshore world. These fish light up in electric blues, greens, and yellows when hooked and put on an aerial show that's second to none. They're structure-oriented fish that love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, usually in the 20-60 pound range but occasionally reaching trophy size. What makes mahi special is their willingness to eat – when you find a school, you can often pick away at them for extended periods.
Thresher sharks bring a whole different energy to the trip. These prehistoric predators use their elongated tail fins like whips to stun baitfish, and they can reach lengths of 12+ feet. They're surprisingly acrobatic for sharks, often jumping completely clear of the water when hooked. The fight is all about power and endurance, and landing one is a team effort that creates memories lasting long after you're back at the dock.
Bluefin tuna represent the ultimate offshore prize, and the waters off Freeport see good populations from late fall through early summer. These fish are pure muscle, built for speed and endurance in the open ocean. A hooked bluefin will make multiple long runs, often diving deep and using its body weight against you. What excites anglers most is their unpredictability – you might hook into a 50-pounder that fights like it's twice that size, or land a giant that surprises you with how it cooperates. The meat quality is outstanding, and the bragging rights are unmatched.
Yellowfin tuna show up when water temperatures climb into the 70s, typically from mid-summer through early fall. They're speed demons that can sustain runs of 40+ mph, and their stamina is legendary among offshore anglers. Yellowfins often travel in schools, so when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. They're excellent table fare and provide some of the most consistent action when conditions are right.
Mahi mahi are the perfect offshore species for anglers who want action and acrobatics. They grow fast and fight hard, with bulls (males) developing the distinctive square heads that make them so recognizable. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're notorious for their willingness to eat both trolled and cast baits. The colors these fish display when fighting are absolutely stunning, and they're among the best eating fish in the ocean.
Thresher sharks are the gentlemen of the shark world,
Hit the deep Atlantic waters aboard this fully-equipped 4-person sportfishing boat, built for serious offshore action targeting bluefin tuna, mako sharks, and dolphinfish. This vessel comes loaded with everything you need for a successful 12-hour fishing trip - fish finder tech to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus VHF radio for safety. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility for spotting feeding birds and surface action. Between fishing runs, kick back with AC, grab cold drinks from the fridge, or catch up on the game with onboard TV. The boat features a full galley, private head with shower, and sleeping quarters for those long hauls to the fishing grounds. With ice storage for your catch and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches, you're set up to land everything from hard-fighting tuna to monster sharks in Freeport's prime offshore waters.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail - massive, powerful fish that average 100-300 pounds but can hit 500+ pounds out here. These silver torpedoes with the dark blue backs are warm-blooded, so they roam from surface waters down to 300+ feet year-round. Spring through fall is our best window when they're chasing bait along the continental shelf. They're bucket-list fish for good reason - incredible strength, long fights with deep dives and surface runs, plus they're the ultimate table fare for sushi lovers. The meat is like butter. One thing I always tell guests: when you hook a big bluefin, settle in for the long haul. Don't horse them - let your drag work and be patient. These fish will test every bit of your tackle and stamina.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are pure eye candy with their brilliant blues and greens that shift colors like a light show when you bring them boatside. Most run 15-29 pounds around here, though we've seen some push 40+. They love floating debris and weed lines in the upper water column, usually 20-50 miles offshore where the water's deep blue. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're thick along the current breaks. What makes them special? Lightning-fast runs, aerial jumps, and some of the best eating you'll find - firm white meat that's perfect on the grill. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your eyes peeled - they often travel in pairs, so get a second line ready fast.
Alopias VulpinusThresher sharks are something special - their tail is literally as long as their body, and they use it like a whip to stun baitfish. Most we catch run 12-16 feet and 300-500 pounds, but the big ones can hit 20 feet. They cruise the continental shelf 40-50 miles out, anywhere from 50 to 500+ feet deep, preferring that 60-70 degree water. Late spring through fall is prime season when they're hunting the bait schools. What makes them a blast? They're surprisingly acrobatic for sharks - sometimes they'll actually breach completely out of the water. The fight is all power and endurance. Key tip: use smaller hooks than you'd think - they've got relatively small mouths for such big sharks, so 8/0 hooks work better than those massive shark hooks.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of the tuna world - most of what we catch runs 40-80 pounds, though the big boys can push 150+. These torpedo-shaped fish cruise the top 100 feet of offshore waters, usually 30+ miles out where the water turns that deep blue. They're year-round residents here, but late summer through fall is when they really turn on. What draws people back? Pure power - they'll rip line off your reel at 40+ mph and dive deep when hooked. Plus, yellowfin makes outstanding sashimi or grilled steaks. Here's a local trick: when we're marking fish but they won't bite our spread, we'll pull in the trolling gear and start vertical jigging - that often triggers them when nothing else will.
Freeport, NY