Boothbay Harbor Ground Fish & Shark Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing targets haddock 15-40 miles from Maine coastSmall group experience with maximum 6 guests aboardCaptain confirms departure time based on weather conditions
Captain and crew at Reel Addiction Sportfishing know exactly where to find the fish when they're biting hot off the Maine coast. This top-rated offshore adventure takes you 15 to 40 miles out into prime Atlantic waters where haddock are practically jumping into the boat, and you've got a real shot at tangling with some serious predators like blue sharks and threshers. With only 6 anglers max, you're getting the personal attention that makes all the difference between going home with stories and going home with fish. The captain will give you a call before your trip to nail down the exact departure time since we're working with tides and weather - that's how you know these guys are serious about putting you on fish.
You'll be running anywhere from 15 to 40 miles offshore depending on where the fish are holding that day. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip where you hit the same spots every time - the captain reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan to put you on the best bite. The smaller group size means everyone gets plenty of elbow room at the rail and the crew can spend real time helping you dial in your technique. Don't be surprised if you spot whales and porpoises during the run out - the same baitfish that draw them in are exactly what we're targeting for our groundfish. The trip timing is tide-dependent, so when the captain calls to confirm your start time, he's working the angles to maximize your fishing window. Pack your appetite for action because when the haddock are on the feed like they have been lately, it's game on from the moment you drop your lines.
Most of your day will be spent working the bottom for haddock and halibut using traditional high-low rigs with circle hooks and fresh bait. The crew will get you set up with the right sinker weight for the current and depth - typically anywhere from 8 to 16 ounces depending on how far out we're fishing. When targeting sharks, we'll switch gears to wire leaders and chunk baits, either drifting or slow-trolling depending on what the fish want that day. Blue sharks are curious and will often cruise right up to the boat, giving everyone a chance to see these beautiful predators up close before you hook up. Thresher sharks are a different game entirely - these guys use their massive tail to stun baitfish, so when one hits your line, you'll know it immediately. The captain provides all the tackle, but if you've got your own gear, bring medium-heavy to heavy action rods that can handle 30-50 pound test line.
Atlantic Halibut are the holy grail of Maine groundfishing - these flatfish can grow massive and put up a fight that'll test your tackle and your patience. They're ambush predators that lie on the bottom waiting for baitfish to swim by, which makes them perfect targets for our bottom-fishing setup. Spring through fall offers the best shot at halibut, with fish ranging from keeper-sized "chickens" around 20 pounds up to true doormat-sized fish pushing 100 pounds or more. The thrill of feeling that steady, powerful pull when a big halibut takes your bait is something every serious angler needs to experience.
Blue Sharks are probably the most cooperative sharks you'll ever target - they're curious, aggressive feeders that will travel miles following scent trails. These sleek predators average 6 to 8 feet but can stretch over 10 feet, and they're built for speed with that classic shark profile. Summer months bring the best blue shark action when the water warms up and baitfish are thick. They're catch-and-release only, but the experience of battling one of these ocean athletes on rod and reel will get your heart pumping like nothing else.
Thresher Sharks are the ultimate prize fish for many offshore anglers - their distinctive elongated tail fin makes up nearly half their body length, and they use it like a whip to stun schools of baitfish. These sharks are incredibly strong fighters that will make long runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're most active during summer and early fall when following mackerel and herring schools. Landing a thresher is considered a badge of honor among shark fishermen, and the Maine coast offers some of the most consistent thresher fishing on the East Coast.
Southern Flounder might sound like an odd target this far north, but these flatfish are excellent table fare and surprisingly strong fighters for their size. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud waiting for prey to swim overhead. Flounder fishing requires patience and a sensitive touch to detect their subtle bites, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be filling the cooler. Late spring through early fall provides the best flounder action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized specimens up to genuine "doormat" flounder that can exceed 5 pounds.
This world-class offshore fishing experience books up fast, especially during peak season when the fish are biting hot like they are right now. With only 6 spots available per trip, you're getting the kind of personalized attention that the big party boats simply can't match. The captain's local knowledge and willingness to adjust departure times based on conditions shows the level of commitment you'll get with Reel Addiction Sportfishing. Whether you're after bragging-rights groundfish, the rush of battling sharks, or just want to experience some of Maine's best offshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait until the bite cools off - grab your spot now and get ready for the kind of fishing day that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Your fishing platform for this offshore adventure is a well-equipped motorboat designed to handle Maine's coastal waters with confidence. The boat features a reliable ice box to keep your haddock and any surprise shark catches fresh during the 15-40 mile run to the fishing grounds. Navigation is handled by onboard GPS, while the fish finder helps locate those productive bottom structures where the groundfish are holding. When you need a break from hauling in fish, there's a galley kitchen for preparing meals or heating up coffee during the longer offshore runs. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out along the rails without getting lines tangled. The boat's sturdy build handles the swells you'll encounter in deeper water, giving you a stable platform for bottom fishing while keeping an eye out for whales and porpoises that frequent these productive Maine waters. Your captain will adjust departure times based on tide and weather conditions to ensure the best fishing opportunities.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusThe world's largest flatfish, Atlantic halibut are true giants that can reach over 400 pounds, though most run 30-50 pounds in our waters. These diamond-shaped bruisers live on the bottom in 150-500 feet, feeding on cod, haddock, and squid. We find them year-round, but spring through fall gives you the best shot when they move into shallower water after spawning. What makes halibut special is the fight - they're incredibly strong swimmers that'll test your arms and your tackle. The meat is outstanding too, firm white fillets that taste amazing. My tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse it up too fast. Let the fish tire itself out first, because a green halibut at the boat can easily break bones with that powerful tail.
Prionace GlaucaBlue sharks are some of the most beautiful fish you'll encounter out there - deep blue backs fading to white bellies and built like torpedoes for speed. These guys average 7-10 feet and love the warmer months when water temps hit 54-68°F. We usually find them in deeper water, around 1,000 feet, but they'll come up to feed. They're curious sharks, not aggressive, and put up a solid fight without being too dangerous to handle. The key to success is chumming with mackerel or herring - they go crazy for the scent trail. Keep your bait at least 20 feet from the boat when one shows up. My advice: use at least 200-pound test line because even a smaller blue can surprise you with its power. They're catch-and-release only, but the experience of battling one is worth the trip alone.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20 pounds. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow coastal waters, especially around structure where baitfish gather. Fall and spring are peak times when they're most active feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small fish like anchovies. What guests love is the challenge of spotting them and the excellent table fare - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Drift fishing works best since they stay glued to the bottom. My go-to technique is using live bull minnows or shrimp on a 1/4-ounce jig head, bouncing it slowly along the bottom until you feel that distinctive thump.
Alopias VulpinusThresher sharks are absolutely spectacular - half their 16-foot length is that signature whip-like tail they use to stun baitfish. These are true apex predators that can burst to 30 mph and leap completely out of the water. We target them 40-50 miles offshore in 25-50 feet of water column, usually over deeper bottom. Late spring through fall is prime time when they're following bait schools. What draws anglers is watching them hunt - they'll whip that tail so hard it creates cavitation bubbles in the water. The fight is phenomenal too, combining power with acrobatics. Look for bird activity and bait balls, then troll slowly around 2-4 knots. Here's my secret: use an 8/0 hook even though they have small mouths for their size, and keep at least 8 feet of heavy leader because that tail will wrap your line faster than you'd believe.
Boothbay Harbor, ME