Groundfish Fishing Charter in Boston
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Atlantic Cod and Haddock on Stellwagen Bank watersKeep up to 12 Haddock per person with cleaning includedSeven-hour charter accommodates up to four anglers with gear
If you're looking to get into some serious bottom fishing action, Captain Mark's groundfish charter out of Boston is where you want to be. This isn't your typical harbor cruise – we're talking about a legitimate 7-hour fishing adventure that takes you straight to Stellwagen Bank, one of the most productive groundfish spots on the entire East Coast. You'll be targeting Atlantic Cod, Haddock, and other hard-fighting bottom dwellers that call these waters home. The early morning departure means you'll be fishing during prime time when these fish are most active and feeding aggressively.
Captain Mark runs a tight ship with room for up to five serious anglers, plus space for one more if you've got a non-fishing buddy who wants to tag along. The beauty of this charter is that everything's included – rods, reels, tackle, and all the fresh bait you'll need to put fish in the cooler. No need to stress about bringing your own gear or wondering if you've got the right setup. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand and they'll put you on fish. This is a weekday trip, which means fewer boats competing for the same spots and better fishing overall. The captain and crew will handle the navigation, find the fish, and make sure your lines are in the water at the right depth with the right bait.
Groundfish fishing is all about getting your bait down to where the fish live and keeping it there. We're talking depths anywhere from 60 to 200 feet, depending on where the fish are holding that day. The crew will set you up with bottom rigs – typically a high-low setup with circle hooks that'll help you land more fish and reduce gut-hooking. Fresh bait is key here, and you'll be fishing with clams, sea worms, and cut bait that these groundfish can't resist. The technique is straightforward but effective – drop your rig to the bottom, reel up a turn or two, and wait for that telltale thump of a fish picking up your bait. When you feel that bite, don't yank – just start reeling steadily and let the circle hook do its job.
Haddock are the bread and butter of this trip, and for good reason. These fish fight hard for their size and taste even better on the dinner table. You can keep up to 12 Haddock per person as long as they measure 17 inches or longer – that's a serious cooler-filler right there. Haddock tend to school up tight, so when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They're most active during the cooler months and early morning hours, which is exactly when this charter runs. What makes Haddock special is their clean, mild flavor that's perfect for fish and chips or baked with some lemon and herbs.
Atlantic Cod are the trophy fish everyone wants to catch. These fish can get big – really big – and they'll test your tackle and your arms. Cod are opportunistic feeders that'll hit just about anything, but they're also smart and can be finicky on certain days. When you hook into a good cod, you'll know it immediately. They make long, powerful runs and use their size to their advantage. Cod fishing has been regulated heavily in recent years, so any keeper-sized cod you land is something special. The meat is firm, flaky, and absolutely delicious – there's a reason cod has been a staple of New England fishing for centuries.
Pollock are the fighters of the groundfish family. Pound for pound, these fish will give you more of a battle than just about anything else down there. They're aggressive feeders and will often hit your bait before it even reaches the bottom. Pollock school up in huge numbers and when you find them, every angler on the boat will be bent over with fish. They're excellent table fare when prepared properly – the key is getting them on ice quickly to maintain that fresh taste. Pollock are also great for beginners because they bite readily and fight hard enough to keep things exciting.
Southern Flounder might seem like an odd target this far north, but Boston's waters hold some surprising flatfish opportunities. These fish are ambush predators that bury themselves in the sand and wait for bait to drift by. When you hook a flounder, the fight is different – more of a steady, head-shaking battle than the runs you get from other species. Flounder are prized for their delicate, sweet meat that's perfect for stuffing or simply pan-fried. They're not always easy to find, but when conditions are right, they can provide some of the best eating fish of the trip.
Snook are typically associated with warmer waters, but changing ocean conditions and baitfish migrations have brought them into Boston waters more frequently. These fish are pure adrenaline – they hit hard, jump high, and make screaming runs that'll test your drag system. Catching a snook this far north is something special that you'll be talking about for years. They're strong fighters with a distinctive black lateral line that makes them easy to identify. While not traditional table fare in these waters, the experience of battling one of these fish in Boston Harbor is worth the trip alone.
This groundfish charter offers serious value for serious anglers. Seven hours on prime fishing grounds, all gear included, expert guidance from Captain Mark and his crew, plus cleaning and filleting services – you literally just need to show up with a cooler and some ice. The small group size means personalized attention and better fishing for everyone on board. Weekday trips consistently outfish weekend charters because there's less boat traffic and the fish are less pressured. With regulations on groundfish being what they are, having a captain who knows the rules and the best spots is invaluable. Book your trip now and get ready to fill that cooler with some of the best
Gadus MorhuaAtlantic Cod are the crown jewel of New England groundfishing. These chunky bottom-dwellers average 2-4 feet and can push 20+ pounds, with that unmistakable barbel under the chin and white lateral line along each side. We find them in 100-300 feet around rocky structure and sandy bottoms where they hunt for crabs, herring, and smaller fish. Early morning trips from fall through spring produce the best action when they're feeding aggressively. Cod are prized for their firm, mild white meat and their bulldogging fight—they don't jump, but they'll test your drag on the way up. The regulations are strict to help rebuild the population, so we practice careful handling. Pro tip: when cod fishing, use fresh clam or squid on a simple two-hook rig. Keep your bait moving just off the bottom—cod like a little motion to trigger their strike instinct.
Melanogrammus AeglefinusHaddock are one of our most reliable groundfish species here on Stellwagen Bank. These members of the cod family typically run 14-30 inches and weigh 2-7 pounds, with that distinctive black "thumbprint" mark behind each pectoral fin. They stick to the bottom in 100-200 feet of water over sandy and rocky areas, feeding on crabs, worms, and sea urchins. Spring through early summer gives us the best fishing when they're most active after spawning. What makes haddock special is their excellent eating quality—sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish and chips. They're also pretty cooperative fish that don't require heavy tackle. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first tap, count to three before setting the hook. Haddock tend to mouth the bait first, and that little pause lets them fully commit.
Pollachius pollachiusPollock are the scrappy fighters of the groundfish world. These greenish-silver fish typically run 20-30 inches and pack serious muscle for their size. You'll find them around rocky ledges and structure in 100-400 feet, often suspended mid-water rather than right on bottom like their cod cousins. They're aggressive feeders that hit sand eels, herring, and squid imitations hard. Best fishing happens during moving water—incoming tides really fire them up. What guests love about pollock is the fight—they make strong runs and don't give up easy. The meat is darker than cod but still tasty when prepared right. They're also great for beginners since they're abundant and willing to bite. Here's what works: pollock have excellent eyesight, so use lighter leaders in clear water. A 20-pound fluorocarbon leader instead of 30 can double your hookups on finicky fish.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook aren't found in Boston's cold waters—these warm-water gamefish stick to Florida, the Gulf Coast, and tropical Atlantic waters. These sleek predators average 18-24 inches with that signature black lateral line and golden coloration. They're structure-oriented fish that love mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in shallow estuaries and coastal waters. Spring through fall provides peak fishing, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook legendary is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight—they'll jump, run, and test every knot. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The challenge is their sensitivity to cold and their preference for precise presentations around heavy cover. These fish are smart and spook easily. Best advice for snook: work your lures slow and close to structure. A weightless soft plastic shrimp bounced along mangrove roots drives them crazy.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder aren't typically found in Boston waters—they prefer the warmer coastal areas from the Mid-Atlantic down to the Gulf of Mexico. These fascinating flatfish grow 15-18 inches on average but can reach over 30 inches. Both eyes migrate to their left side as they mature, making them perfectly adapted for life on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters. Fall migration periods offer the best fishing when they move from inshore to offshore spawning grounds. Anglers love flounder for their excellent table fare—sweet, white fillets that are hard to beat. They're ambush predators that bury in sand waiting for prey, so patience pays off. The technique is simple: slow drifts with live minnows or strips of squid near the bottom. Local tip: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook immediately. Flounder grab prey sideways first, then turn to swallow it headfirst.
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