Next AvailableDec 21

Book with Pat Hamilton & Matt Shea

Guides > Captain Pat Hamilton & Matt Shea

Eastern Ambitions Saltwater Guide Service

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Newburyport MA

Pat Hamilton & Matt Shea, Captain at Eastern Ambitions Saltwater Guide Service

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Eastern Ambitions is a fishing guide service that offers fishing charters on the coastal waters of the Northeast Atlantic, near Newburyport Massachusetts, which is just a short drive from most Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine vacation spots. Trips take place in and around the Merrimack river, which flows into the Atlantic ocean between Salisbury and Newburyport MA. At Eastern Ambitions Saltwater Guide service, we are committed to creating personal and memorable fishing experiences for our clients. Our boats are judgment-free zones, we welcome any and all groups of people and, of course, we are always happy to accommodate individuals with limitations or disabilities. For Eastern Ambitions, it's not just about the "what" but also the "why" of fishing. Understanding the ecosystem and and the individuals who rely on it (including fish, animals and people alike) adds depth to your angling experience.


Depending on the season, we offer trips targeting Striped Bass, Bluefish, Cod, Haddock, Pollock, Sharks, Mackerel, Lobster and a variety of other marine treasures. We employ various fishing techniques, including spin rod drifts, deep sea fishing, trolling and, even fly fishing. The fish you catch are yours to take home (within legal limits, of course). Our experienced crew is happy to clean and fillet your fish. Don't forget to bring a cooler to transport your freshly caught bounty home!


Step aboard our 22’ Sea Hunt vessel, designed to comfortably accommodate up to 4 guests (a FIFTH can occasionally be added to the roster for an additional fee). Your fishing excursion begins with rods, reels, and tackle ready and waiting for you on board. For added convenience, the boat is equipped with a toilet, though a trip to the head before departing is certainly encouraged. Families are encouraged to make it an exciting group outing, as children are more than welcome. We are in the business of selling smiles, as much as a fishing adventure and your captain and crew are great teachers! Beyond the fishing trip, your captain often doubles as a local storyteller, sharing fascinating histories of the the local area. Moreover, they shed light on the intricacies of the local fishery, the issues and oddities within the environment, all while discussing various fishing methods and the rationale, as well as techniques, behind them.


We look forward to not only fishing with you on this trip but, towards building a lasting relationship for many fishing adventures in years to come!

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Trips Available with Eastern Ambitions Saltwater Guide Service

Kids Jigging Special (4 Hours - AM)

Fishing

Starting At $500

Kids Jigging Special (4 Hours - AM)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Shore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: Eastern Ambitions offers a trip specifically geared toward keeping your children entertained. We have found that the kids (usually ages 5–10) are less interested in which fish they are catching and more interested in catching as many as possible. Our kids jigging special is designed for one purpose, keeping a smile on their faces for the entire trip. The trip focuses on jigging for Mackerel, Rock Cod, small pollock and whatever else bites, as well as the occasional pulling of Lobster traps and sightseeing/education.

Ground Fish/Shark Combo (8 Hours - AM Departure)

Fishing

Starting At $1,400

Ground Fish/Shark Combo (8 Hours - AM Departure)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Offshore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: This is a trip for those who just cant decide between the thrill.... and the meat. Sharks are fun, it is what it is. It’s also a lot of work and we dont keep shark meat. This trip provides the opportunity to fish spots based on production, get a thrill and also get some meat for the cooler. We can focus on group interest right in the moment and switch several times to get a bit of the best of both worlds. This is a full day trip that departs in the AM. Average distance is between 5-20 miles offshore.

Striped Bass (Full day, AM Departure)

Fishing

Starting At $950

Striped Bass (Full day, AM Departure)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Offshore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: Our full day “Striper” trips run from 7:00am-3pm (Captain may strongly encourage trip changes based on tides and recent fish patterns). The trip includes all rods, reels, gear for the group, and bait (we also catch our own, generally). Tackle used can consist of (but is not limited to) spin rods, conventional and jigging gear, light tackle and lures. This is an all day excursion for serious anglers and is not for the faint of heart. Its a grind but its a fun grind!

Ground Fishing - (8 Hours - AM Departure)

Fishing

Starting At $1,200

Ground Fishing - (8 Hours - AM Departure)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Offshore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: Groundfishing (Haddock, Cod, etc) trips are of a one size fits all variety. Full day only (though the trip can be shortened based on special requests and extenuating circumstances). All groundfishing gear (rods/reels, other tackle, and bait) is included. This trip runs offshore (estimated 11-21 miles). Our goal is to fill coolers and put a limit in the boat... per person. Personal rods allowed for all ground fish tours but, MUST be held to ONE PER PERSON, as we have A LOT of equipment on board and space is limited.

Striped Bass (5 Hours - AM)

Fishing

Starting At $650

Striped Bass (5 Hours - AM)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Offshore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: Our half-day “Striper” trips run from 6:00am-11am. The trip includes all rods, reels, gear for the group, and bait (we also catch our own, generally). Tackle used can consist of (but is not limited to) spin rods, conventional and jigging gear, light tackle, lures. Striped Bass trips generally involve drifting or trolling live and cut bait in areas known to provide both quantity and quality.

Striped Bass (5 Hours - PM)

Fishing

Starting At $650

Striped Bass (5 Hours - PM)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Offshore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: Our half-day “Striper” trips run from 12:00pm-5pm. The trip includes all rods, reels, gear for the group, and bait (we also catch our own, generally). Tackle used can consist of (but is not limited to) spin rods, conventional and jigging gear, light tackle, lures. Striped Bass trips generally involve drifting or trolling live and cut bait in areas known to provide both quantity and quality.

Kids Jigging Special (4 Hours - PM)

Fishing

Starting At $500

Kids Jigging Special (4 Hours - PM)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Shore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: Eastern Ambitions offers a trip specifically geared toward keeping your children entertained. We have found that the kids (usually ages 5–10) are less interested in which fish they are catching and more interested in catching as many as possible. Our kids jigging special is designed for one purpose, keeping a smile on their faces for the entire trip. The trip focuses on jigging for Mackerel and whatever else bites, as well as the occasional pulling of Lobster traps and sightseeing/education.

Fly Fishing (6 Hours - AM Departure)

Fishing

Starting At $750

Fly Fishing (6 Hours - AM Departure)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Flats

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 3 guests (base trip price includes 3 guests)

Description: At our core and in our hearts, Eastern Ambitions crew members are fly guys. We love a good spin rod but, when given the chance, love to throw the fly. This trip is geared towards kindred souls who want to go and chuck a 5–8wt fly rod for Striped Bass. This is as much art as it is fishing (rod size based on time of year and class of fish being targeted).

Striped Bass @ NIGHT - (6 Hours - PM Departure)

Fishing

Starting At $1,000

Striped Bass @ NIGHT - (6 Hours - PM Departure)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Shore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: Our night trip offers your best chance at the big one. Plain and simple, straightforward, you're throwing live spaghetti noodles (eels) at trophy Striped Bass. These trips take place in the evening and/or early morning hours and are solely intended for serious anglers looking to catch (and release) trophy sized bass. These are commercial sized fish so, we are not aiming to keep any catches (should we happen upon smaller classes of fish, anglers are absolutely allowed to keep a fish within legal limits). ****Trip contingent on tides and recent fish patterns. Departure times may vary****

Sharks >>> (8 Hour - AM Departure)

Fishing

Starting At $1,000

Sharks >>> (8 Hour - AM Departure)

Fishing Area: Newburyport, MA

Fishing: Offshore

Fishing Boat:

Sea Hunt (center console) • 22' Sea Hunt • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)

Description: Exactly what it sounds like. We are going huntin’ for the ultimate ocean predator (Full disclosure: it is our goal to safely release and de-hook every single shark that we catch). This is about as thrilling as it gets. Not for the faint of heart. Trip runs offshore between 5-20 miles. We put out several rods at a time but this is a group fishing activity as well as an experience. Taking turns is a necessity, as these fish tend to be brutish.

FAQs about Eastern Ambitions Saltwater Guide Service

Ratings & Reviews Summary

5.00
out of 5
Based on 10 ratings
100%
recommended
recommended
Based on 10 recommendations
5
10
4
3
2
1

Best Reviews

December 21, 2024

Our recent fishing trip with Captains Patrick and Matt of Eastern Ambitions was absolutely unforgettable. From the moment we booked our trip to the day we stepped off the boat, we were treated with attentiveness, information, and a genuine commitment to making our experience perfect. And perfect it was! My two teenage kids loved every minute of it, learning new fishing techniques and making incredible catches. As a parent, it was pure joy to watch them have such a wonderful time. They were particularly impressed by Patrick and Matt's easygoing and approachable nature, and they really enjoyed learning about boat navigation, tides, and how to find the best fishing spots. It was more than just a fishing trip; it was an educational and enriching experience. We left feeling excited and eager to book our next adventure with Eastern Ambitions. Thank you, Patrick and Matt, for creating an unforgettable memory for our family!

December 21, 2024

Matt and Pat are great captains, and extremely knowledgeable! I had a great time and caught some amazing fish.

December 21, 2024

We had an amazing time on our fishing trip! The captains were ready to go as soon as we arrived and explained everything they were planning to do to catch some mackerel. It was a bit challenging, but they managed to find the mackerel and then took us to the mouth of the Merrimac, where we caught a bunch of stripers. They were very helpful and always there to assist us with baiting the hook, untangling a line, or netting a big fish. More importantly, they were fantastic with my 10-year-old and 14-year-old sons. They helped them, educated them, and treated them like their own. We will definitely be returning at least once a year, if not more often, to hang out with them and do some fishing. Highly recommend!

December 21, 2024

My friend and I, along with our teenage sons, had a fantastic fishing trip at the mouth of the Merrimac River. We quickly caught plenty of bait fish within 15 minutes and spent the rest of the day trying to catch stripers. The crew was extremely knowledgeable, trustworthy, and engaging. They were easy to talk to, both about fishing and other topics, which made the day on the water even more enjoyable. The communication leading up to our trip was seamless and organized. They are top-notch, and we won't need to look anywhere else for our next fishing adventure. Highly recommend!

December 21, 2024

My sons and I had an amazing fishing trip with this crew. They were knowledgeable and patient, and they helped us learn how to fish in saltwater. We would definitely recommend them to anyone.

December 21, 2024

We had a fantastic fishing trip with Captain Pat and First Mate Hugo. They were very kind and knowledgeable, and they made sure we had a great time. I would highly recommend them to anyone!

December 21, 2024

We had a wonderful time fishing with Captain Pat. He was excellent at communicating with us and getting us to the best fishing spots. The kids even had fun catching the bait! We would definitely book another trip with him.