Full Day Offshore Bluefin Tuna & Shark Fishing
Picture this: you're 30 miles off the Long Island coast, watching the sunrise paint the Atlantic horizon while massive bluefin tuna cruise beneath your boat. That's what you get with Carolann P Fishing Charters' premier 12-hour offshore adventure. We're talking serious deep-water fishing here – the kind where you need both hands on the rod and your heart starts pounding when that drag starts screaming. This isn't your typical inshore trip; we're heading to the deep blue where the big boys live, targeting some of the ocean's most prized gamefish.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early – we're talking 5 AM departure from Freeport's bustling marina. The boat rides smooth for the first hour as we cruise past the shallow waters where weekend warriors play, then things get real as we hit the continental shelf. You'll feel the difference when we reach those deep cobalt waters where the magic happens. Captain and crew know these waters like their own backyard, reading the current breaks, bird activity, and temperature changes that signal where the fish are stacked up. With only 4 anglers max, you're not fighting for rod time or elbow space – everyone gets their shot at the fish of a lifetime. Just remember, we're cash only before we leave the dock, so hit the ATM on your way down.
Trolling Techniques & Gear
We run a serious spread out here – multiple lines at different depths using everything from chunked butterfish to live eels and high-speed lures. The boat's rigged with top-shelf Penn and Shimano reels that can handle whatever decides to eat your bait. For tuna, we're trolling cedar plugs and spreader bars at 8 knots, watching the sonar for those telltale marks. When we switch to shark fishing, it's a whole different game – we're anchored up with a chum slick that stretches for miles, using circle hooks and wire leaders with chunks of fresh bait. The crew handles all the rigging and knows exactly when to coach you through the fight versus when to let you figure it out yourself.
Target Species
Bluefin tuna are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These fish are pure muscle wrapped in a torpedo shape, capable of diving 300 feet straight down when hooked. Peak season runs from June through October, with the biggest fish – we're talking 200-plus pounders – showing up in late summer. What makes bluefin special isn't just their size; it's their intelligence. They're constantly moving, following bait schools and temperature breaks, which means every trip is different. When you hook one, expect a 30-minute battle minimum, and don't be surprised if your arms feel like jelly afterward.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish as the old-timers call them, are the acrobats of the offshore world. These golden beauties love floating debris, sargassum weed lines, and temperature breaks. They hit hard and immediately go airborne, putting on a show that never gets old. Most of our mahi run 10-25 pounds, perfect eating size, and they often travel in schools. Find one, and you'll usually find more. They're most active during the warmer months from May through September, and unlike some deep-water species, they fight as hard on the surface as they do down deep.
Yellowfin tuna are the speed demons out here, capable of reaching 50 mph when they want to. These fish are built for endurance, with a circulatory system that keeps their core body temperature higher than the surrounding water. Peak time for yellowfin is typically dawn and dusk, when they're feeding aggressively on baitfish. They average 30-80 pounds in our waters, and what makes them special is their stamina – while a bluefin might make one powerful run, yellowfin keep pulling steadily for what feels like forever.
Thresher sharks are probably the most unique species we target, famous for that massive tail that's nearly as long as their body. These sharks use that tail like a whip to stun schools of baitfish before feeding. They're incredibly strong but also surprisingly acrobatic for a shark – don't be shocked if you see one breach completely out of the water during the fight. Most threshers we catch run 100-200 pounds, and they're primarily a summer species in our waters. What makes them a favorite among anglers is their fighting style – long, powerful runs combined with sudden direction changes that keep you guessing.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, there's a reason serious offshore anglers keep coming back to these waters year after year. The combination of deep water close to shore, diverse species, and productive fishing grounds makes this one of the top-rated charter destinations on the East Coast. Whether you're chasing that trophy bluefin for the wall or just want to experience what real offshore fishing feels like, this 12-hour adventure delivers the goods. The crew knows how to put you on fish, the boat's equipped for anything we might encounter, and with only 4 spots available, every trip feels personal. Don't wait until prime season books up – reserve your spot now and get ready for the kind of fishing day you'll be talking about for years.