Boothbay Harbor Ground Fish & Shark Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing targeting haddock 1540 miles from Maine coastSmall group experience with maximum 6 guests aboardFlexible scheduling based on optimal tides and weather conditions
When you're looking for some serious action off the Maine coast, this offshore adventure delivers the goods. Captain and crew at Reel Addiction Sportfishing know exactly where to find the fish, taking you anywhere from 15 to 40 miles out into the deep Atlantic waters where the big ones are waiting. You'll be fishing some of the most productive grounds in the Gulf of Maine, where the continental shelf drops off and creates perfect habitat for everything from keeper haddock to massive sharks. This isn't your typical harbor cruise – you're heading to where the real fishing happens, and the ride out gives you front-row seats to spot whales and porpoises along the way.
Your day starts when the conditions are right, not when the clock says so. The captain will give you a call the night before or morning of your trip to lock in the departure time based on tides and weather – that's how you know you're fishing with pros who prioritize safety and success over rigid schedules. With just six anglers max, you'll have plenty of elbow room at the rail and personalized attention from the crew. The boat heads out to wherever the fish are biting that day, which could mean anything from 15-mile runs to structure-rich bottom to longer hauls out to the 40-mile mark where the big pelagics roam. The haddock have been absolutely crushing baits lately, and when you're marking fish on quality bottom in 150-300 feet of water, you know you're in for a day of steady action.
This is bottom fishing and shark fishing at its finest, using heavy conventional tackle that can handle both the depths and the fish that call these waters home. For the ground fish, you'll be dropping baited rigs down to the bottom where haddock, halibut, and flounder are feeding. The crew will have you rigged with circle hooks and fresh bait – usually sea worms, clams, or cut fish depending on what's working best. When targeting sharks, it's a whole different game with wire leaders, larger hooks, and chunk baits that create a scent trail in the current. You'll be fishing with 6-8 foot conventional rods paired with reels that can handle 400-600 feet of line, because when you hook into a thresher shark, you need gear that won't quit. The electronic fish finders and GPS units help the captain put you on productive bottom, but it's the local knowledge and years of experience that make the difference between a good day and a great day.
Atlantic Halibut are the holy grail of Maine ground fishing, and these waters hold some legitimate doormat-sized fish. These flatfish can live over 50 years and grow well over 100 pounds, though most of what you'll encounter runs 20-60 pounds. Halibut are ambush predators that lie flat on sandy or muddy bottom, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Summer through early fall is prime time, when they move into shallower water to feed heavily before winter. Landing a halibut is special because they're both challenging to hook and absolutely delicious on the table – their firm white meat is considered some of the best eating in the ocean.
Blue Sharks are the workhorses of the offshore shark scene, showing up in good numbers during the warmer months when water temperatures hit the 60s. These sleek predators cruise the open ocean and can reach 6-10 feet in length, putting up fights that'll test your tackle and your arms. Blues are curious by nature and respond well to a proper chum slick, often showing up in multiples once you get them fired up. They're catch-and-release fish that give you bragging rights and some serious arm burn, plus they're surprisingly acrobatic for their size. The best part about blue shark fishing is the visual aspect – you can often see them cruising near the surface before they hit your bait.
Thresher Sharks are the crown jewel of Maine offshore fishing, known for their distinctive long tail that can be as long as their body. These powerful fish use that tail like a whip to stun schools of baitfish, making them incredibly effective hunters. Threshers typically run 100-300 pounds in these waters and are absolute bulldogs when hooked, making long runs and using their whole body to fight. They prefer deeper water along the continental shelf edge, which is exactly where this trip takes you. Catching a thresher is a bucket-list experience for most anglers because they're relatively rare, incredibly strong, and just plain impressive to see up close.
Southern Flounder might seem like the undercard compared to sharks and halibut, but don't sleep on these flatfish. They're excellent table fare and can reach surprising sizes, with fish over 20 inches providing great action on lighter tackle. Flounder are masters of camouflage, changing their coloration to match the bottom, and they have both eyes on one side of their head – a weird evolutionary adaptation that makes them perfectly suited for bottom dwelling. They're most active during tidal changes when current stirs up food, and they hit baited rigs with a distinctive tap-tap-tap that experienced anglers learn to recognize. Summer flounder fishing in Maine waters offers consistent action and some of the best fish fries you'll ever have.
This top-rated offshore adventure gives you access to some of the most productive fishing grounds in the Gulf of Maine, with a crew that knows these waters like the back of their hand. Whether you're after bragging-rights sharks or a cooler full of fresh fillets, this trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season. The six-person limit means you're not fighting crowds, and the flexible start times show you're fishing with a captain who puts fish-catching above everything else. These offshore grounds produce year-round, but summer and early fall offer the most consistent action for the full range of target species
Our well-equipped fishing boat gets you out to the prime haddock grounds 15-40 miles offshore where the action is hot. Built for serious angling with a reliable fish finder to mark your targets, GPS to navigate the Maine waters, and an onboard ice box to keep your catch fresh. The kitchen lets you fuel up between fishing sessions. With room for 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails without crowding. The captain knows these waters and will get you on the fish while keeping an eye out for whales and porpoises during the run. Start times adjust with tides and conditions - the skipper will call ahead to confirm when to meet at the dock.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusAtlantic halibut are the world's largest flatfish, and they're built like tanks. These diamond-shaped giants average around 30 pounds but can hit 200+ pounds out in our deeper waters. We find them between 150-500 feet down, usually 20-35 miles offshore where the bottom structure holds baitfish. They're strong swimmers for flatfish, which makes the fight memorable. Spring through early fall gives us the best shot when they move up from winter depths. What makes them special is the combination of power and table fare - firm, sweet meat that's worth the battle. Here's the key: once you hook one, don't rush it. Let the boat drift naturally and keep steady pressure. They've got the strength to break bones if you're not careful bringing them aboard.
Prionace GlaucaBlues are sleek, fast sharks that show up in our offshore waters during summer months. These torpedo-shaped beauties average 7-10 feet and can hit 30 mph when they want to. We typically find them in deeper water, 20-40 miles out where the water's blue and the squid are plentiful. July through September is prime time when water temps hit that 54-68 degree sweet spot they love. What guests enjoy most is their curious nature - they'll come right up to investigate the chum slick. The fight is all speed and endurance rather than brute strength. They're catch-and-release only, but the photo opportunities are fantastic. My tip: keep your chum line at least 20 feet from the boat. When they're feeding, blues can get excited and you don't want one jumping aboard!
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that live right on the bottom, perfectly camouflaged in sand and mud. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and about 5 pounds, though we see some pushing 8-10 pounds in deeper water. They hang out in 20-60 feet around structure, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish gather. Fall migration from September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're ambush predators that can be tough to locate. But once you find them, the action is steady. Great eating too - sweet, firm fillets that fry up perfect. The secret is fishing right on bottom with just enough weight to stay down. I always tell folks to watch for that subtle tick - flounder don't slam baits like other fish.
Alopias VulpinusThreshers are the acrobats of the shark world with those massive tails that can equal their body length. These guys average 12-16 feet and are pure muscle - they'll burst to 30 mph and sometimes leap clear out of the water. We find them in open water, usually 25-50 miles offshore in depths from 100-2000 feet. Late spring through fall is your best bet when they follow baitfish migrations. What makes them special is watching them hunt - they use that long tail like a whip to stun schools of mackerel and herring. The fight is intense but different from other sharks - more jumps and runs. They're masters of using their tail as leverage against your line. Pro tip: use a long leader and keep your drag smooth. When they start tail-whipping, a jerky drag will snap your line every time.
Boothbay Harbor, ME