Cape Cod Blue & Mako Shark Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eight-hour offshore charter targeting blue and shortfin mako sharks.Professional equipment and Massachusetts fishing license included in rate.Travels 15-30 miles offshore to prime deep water habitats.
Strike 2 Fishing Charters puts you right in the thick of Cape Cod's best offshore shark action. This isn't your typical half-day nearshore trip – we're talking about an eight-hour commitment that takes you 15 to 30 miles out into the deep blue where the big predators roam. You'll be targeting some of the most respected gamefish in New England waters: Blue Sharks, Shortfin Makos, and the occasional Thresher. With only six anglers max per trip, you get the personalized attention and elbow room that makes all the difference when a big shark decides to play ball.
This top-rated charter starts early and runs long – eight full hours of hunting prime shark habitat over deep wrecks and offshore structure. The captain knows exactly where to find the temperature breaks and bait concentrations that draw these apex predators up from the depths. You'll be fishing with professional-grade rods and reels specifically rigged for big sharks, not the standard inshore setups that fold under pressure. The boat carries specialized tackle designed to handle fish that can easily hit triple digits. Your Massachusetts fishing license is included, so one less thing to worry about. Just bring your own food and drinks for the day – trust me, you'll work up an appetite fighting these fish. The first mate handles all the technical stuff like rigging baits, managing the spread, and coaching you through the fight. These guys know their business, and a 20% tip is standard practice for their expertise.
Shark fishing is all about patience and preparation. We're running a combination of techniques depending on conditions – sometimes it's slow-trolling with rigged baits, other times we're anchored up over structure chumming heavily to draw fish in close. The tackle setup is crucial: heavy conventional reels loaded with 80-pound test, matched to 7-foot stand-up rods that can handle the long fights these fish are famous for. Circle hooks are mandatory for catch-and-release, and all the wire leaders are pre-tied with the right breaking strength. When a shark takes the bait, it's game on – these fish don't give up easy. Blues will make long runs and circle back, Makos can jump clear out of the water, and Threshers use that distinctive tail like a whip. The mate will coach you through the pump-and-wind technique that saves your back during those 20-minute battles. We fish over wrecks in 150 to 300 feet of water where the structure holds baitfish and draws predators up from the deep ocean.
Blue Sharks are the bread and butter of Cape Cod offshore fishing from June through October. These sleek predators average 6 to 8 feet and put up a scrappy fight with long runs and stubborn circles near the boat. Blues are curious fish – they'll often cruise right up to the transom to check out the action before taking a bait. They're perfectly designed for open ocean life with that classic torpedo shape and brilliant blue coloration that fades to white on the belly. What makes them special is their willingness to bite and their acrobatic fights in the upper water column.
Shortfin Mako Sharks are the holy grail of New England shark fishing. These world-class gamefish can hit 10 feet and 400 pounds, with the speed and athleticism to launch completely out of the water during a fight. Makos are most active from July through September when water temperatures peak. They're ambush predators that hunt fast-moving prey like bluefish and bonito, which explains their explosive strikes and blistering runs. Landing a decent Mako is a bucket-list experience for any serious angler – they're smart, strong, and absolutely relentless once hooked.
Thresher Sharks are the wild cards of this fishery. These unique predators use their elongated tail fin to stun baitfish, creating a distinctive feeding behavior that's amazing to witness. Threshers show up sporadically through the summer months, usually over deeper structure where they hunt cooperatively. They average 8 to 12 feet and fight differently than other sharks – more head-shaking and tail-slapping than the typical long runs. Hooking a Thresher is considered a real prize since they're less common than Blues or Makos in these waters.
Cape Cod's offshore shark season runs hot from June through October, with peak action during the warmest months when bait concentrations are heaviest. This charter consistently delivers shots at multiple species in a single trip, something you won't find on shorter inshore excursions. The combination of experienced crew, quality equipment, and prime fishing grounds makes Strike 2 Fishing Charters a customer favorite among serious shark anglers. With only six spots available per trip, these dates fill up fast during prime season. Whether you're looking to check sharks off your bucket list or add to your personal best records, this eight-hour adventure puts you in the best position to connect with Cape Cod's top offshore predators.
Strike 2 Fishing Charters operates a well-equipped 30ft Black Watch that's built for serious offshore shark fishing around Cape Cod. Twin 250hp Cummins engines push this boat at a solid 22 knots, getting you to those productive waters 15-30 miles out where the big blues and makos cruise. The flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting surface activity, while the fish finder helps locate the deep wrecks and structure that hold these apex predators. You'll have an experienced first mate handling the technical stuff - rigging the heavy tackle, managing the chum slick, and coaching you through the fight when a mako decides to go airborne. The boat handles six anglers comfortably with an onboard fridge and icebox for your drinks and lunch, plus a head for convenience during those long eight-hour battles. GPS and radar keep you on the productive spots even when visibility drops. Professional-grade rods and reels are included, built to handle the raw power of these offshore sharks.
Prionace GlaucaBlues are some of the most common sharks we see out here, running 7-10 feet and weighing 60-200 pounds. They're drawn to our chum slicks like magnets - that deep blue coloring makes them beautiful to watch as they cruise in. We find them in 60-80 degree water, usually between 15-30 miles offshore where the deep water starts. Summer through early fall gives us the best action when they're feeding heavy. What makes blues special is their curious nature - they'll circle the boat and give you a solid fight on medium tackle. They're perfect for first-time shark anglers since they're aggressive but manageable. Pro tip: keep your bait at least 20 feet from the boat and use a wire leader - their razor teeth will cut through mono in seconds.
Isurus OxyrinchusMakos are the speed demons - fastest shark in the ocean hitting 30+ mph and known to leap 20 feet out of the water. We typically see them 8-13 feet long, 130-300 pounds, with that metallic blue coloring and pointed snout. They roam open water but stay near the surface most of the time, following warm water currents. Summer months are best when water temps hit the mid-60s to low-70s. These are the ultimate gamefish - smart, aggressive, and they'll test every knot you tied. The meat's actually quite good too. Fair warning: they're tenacious fighters that have been known to jump right into boats, so keep your distance when landing one. Use at least 50-pound class gear with wire leaders and circle hooks. Bluefish makes the best bait - they can't resist it.
Alopias VulpinusThreshers are the acrobats of the shark world with that signature long tail that's half their body length. These guys average 16 feet and 500 pounds, but can hit 20 feet if you're lucky. They cruise the continental shelf 40-50 miles out in 60-70 degree water, hunting over deep structures and drop-offs. Late spring through fall is prime time when they follow baitfish migrations north. What gets people hooked is watching them use that tail like a whip to stun schools of mackerel - sometimes they'll even breach completely out of the water. The fight is something else - they're built for speed and can hit 30 mph. Despite their size, they have small mouths, so use 8/0 circle hooks with fresh mackerel. Fish your bait 25-50 feet down and stay patient.
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