5.0(6 Reviews)Rye, NH 10 Hour Private Bottom Fishing Adventure
5.0(6 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Top Rated
10hour Atlantic Ocean bottom fishing targeting multiple speciesEarly 6am departure with flexible scheduling availableSmall group experience limited to 10 guests maximum
Picture this: you're 6 AM sharp on the docks in Rye, coffee in hand, tackle boxes loaded, and the salty Atlantic breeze hitting your face. That's how your epic 10-hour bottom fishing adventure with Tontine Fishing Charters kicks off. Captain Matt and his crew know these New Hampshire waters like the back of their hand, and they're about to put you on some seriously good fish. We're talking cod, haddock, monster Atlantic halibut, cusk, pollock, and Acadian redfish – all the heavy hitters that make bottom fishing in these parts absolutely addictive. Your private group of up to 10 anglers gets the whole boat to yourselves, which means more elbow room, better fishing spots, and zero competition from strangers for the best rail space.
This isn't your typical half-day fishing trip where you barely get your lines wet before heading back to the dock. Ten hours gives you the real deal – time to steam out to the productive grounds, set up properly, and work the bottom structure where these fish hang out. The boat's built for up to 26 passengers but we cap it at 10 for private charters, so you've got plenty of space to spread out your gear and fight fish without bumping elbows. Captain Matt runs a tight ship and knows exactly where to find the fish based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. You'll be anchored over rocky bottom, underwater ledges, and proven fishing holes that have been producing for years. The 6 AM departure time isn't set in stone either – if your group wants to leave a bit earlier or later, just let them know and they'll work with your schedule.
Bottom fishing is all about getting your bait down to where the fish live and keeping it there. We're talking 100 to 300 feet of water most of the time, sometimes deeper depending on where the fish are holding. You'll be using heavy sinkers – usually 12 to 20 ounces – to get your rigs down fast and hold bottom in the current. The crew provides all the terminal tackle you'll need: high-low rigs, circle hooks in various sizes, and plenty of lead. Fresh bait is key out here, so expect to be fishing with clams, sea worms, squid, and sometimes fresh cut bait depending on what the target species are feeding on. Your rod needs to have some backbone to handle the weight and the fish, but you don't need anything fancy – a good 6 to 7-foot conventional rod paired with a sturdy reel loaded with 50-pound braid will do the trick. The crew will help you get rigged up and show you the best techniques for feeling bites and setting the hook when you're fishing that deep.
Don't just take our word for it – here's what recent anglers have to say about their trips with Tontine Fishing Charters. "The Captain and mate worked very hard to ensure a safe, comfortable and productive day." - John. "Exceeded our expectations! Pat and Matt were great! Very helpful and accommodating which made for a great day of fishing. Pretty much non-stop action. Would definitely recommend these guys!" - David. "Great trip, made possible by Capt Matt! Has put us on fish every time. Expect to book again in the future." - James Devine.
Atlantic Halibut are the holy grail of New England bottom fishing, and Rye's offshore waters hold some real doormat-sized fish. These flatfish can grow absolutely massive – we're talking 100-plus pounds for the big females. Halibut are ambush predators that lay flat on sandy or muddy bottoms, usually in 150 to 400 feet of water. They're most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall. When you hook into a big halibut, you'll know it immediately – they fight like a truck tire being dragged through the water, and getting one to the surface is a real workout. The smaller "chicken" halibut in the 10 to 30-pound range are fantastic eating and still put up a solid fight.
Haddock are probably the most consistent fish you'll catch on this trip, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. These fish school up over rocky bottom and structure, typically in 100 to 250 feet of water. Haddock have great eyesight and can be picky about bait presentation, so using fresh clams or sea worms on smaller circle hooks usually does the trick. They bite best during the day and are most abundant from late spring through fall. A good haddock runs 2 to 5 pounds, though you'll occasionally hook into larger fish pushing 8 or 10 pounds. They fight harder than you'd expect for their size, with quick runs and head shakes that keep things interesting.
Atlantic Cod are the classic New England groundfish and one of the most satisfying fish to catch on heavy bottom gear. These fish are aggressive feeders that will hit almost any bait, from clams to cut fish to sea worms. Cod prefer rocky bottom and structure, and they're often found in the same areas as haddock but usually in slightly deeper water. The best cod fishing happens when the water temperatures start to cool in late summer and fall. A keeper cod needs to be at least 21 inches, and the good ones run anywhere from 5 to 20 pounds. Big cod are bulldogs – they'll try to get back to the bottom and wrap you around rocks, so you need to keep steady pressure on them.
Pollock are the fighters of the groundfish world and will absolutely test your tackle and your arms. These fish are related to cod but they're much more aggressive and athletic. Pollock often suspend in the water column and will chase bait
Your bottom fishing headquarters for the day is a well-equipped motorboat built for serious Atlantic Ocean adventures. This spacious vessel comfortably handles up to 10 anglers while staying certified for 26, giving everyone plenty of elbow room to work the rails and fight those deep-water fish. The boat comes loaded with everything you need to locate and land cod, haddock, halibut, and other bottom dwellers - including GPS to mark productive spots, fish finder to see what's down there, and radar for those foggy New England mornings. Marine VHF radio keeps you connected, while the onboard facilities include restroom access and wheelchair accessibility so everyone can join the action. Built for those long 10-hour fishing days starting at dawn, this fishing platform gets you out to the productive waters off Rye where the big fish live.
Gadus MorhuaAtlantic cod are the classic New England groundfish - thick-bodied with that distinctive barbel under their chin and mottled coloring. Most cod we see run 2-4 feet and up to 25 pounds, though bigger ones still cruise our waters. They live near bottom in rocky and sandy areas, usually 50-200 feet deep. Winter through spring is prime cod season when they're most active in our colder waters. Anglers love cod for their steady, bulldogging fight and excellent eating quality - firm, flaky white meat that's been feeding families here for generations. They're also less finicky than some species, making them great for newer anglers. My go-to setup is fresh clams or cut squid on a simple bottom rig with enough weight to stay down. These fish bite best when the bait sits still.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusAtlantic halibut are the giants of our local waters - these massive flatfish can reach 8 feet and weigh over 700 pounds, though most we catch run 30-50 pounds. They live on sandy and rocky bottoms in 150-500 feet of water, where the cold temperatures keep them active year-round. Spring through fall offers the best action when they move into shallower feeding areas. What makes halibut special is the incredible fight - they're powerful swimmers that will test your gear and endurance. Plus, the meat is absolutely premium eating. My tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and let your drag do the work. These fish have enough strength to snap lines if you try to horse them up too fast.
Brosme BrosmeCusk are the deep-water specialists - long, eel-like fish that live in 600+ feet of water on hard bottom. They average 20-45 pounds and grow slowly, making bigger ones a real prize. Winter and spring are peak seasons when they move up to shallower edges we can reach. What's unique about cusk is they're often a surprise catch while targeting other species, but they're actually excellent eating with slightly oily, flavorful meat that grills beautifully. They're not fast swimmers, so the fight is more of a steady pull than explosive runs. Since they live so deep, you need heavy tackle and plenty of weight to reach them effectively. Best tip: when bottom fishing in 400+ feet, use large chunks of fresh bait and be patient - cusk take their time but once hooked, they're usually well-secured.
Melanogrammus AeglefinusHaddock are one of our most reliable catches, running 2-7 pounds and 14-30 inches on average. You'll spot them by the black "thumbprint" mark behind their pectoral fin and that dark lateral line. They hang out on sandy, rocky, and shell bottoms in our local waters, usually in schools. Spring is prime time when they're spawning, but we catch them consistently through summer and fall. Guests love haddock because they're scrappy fighters for their size and make fantastic table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids since they bite readily. Pro tip: use fresh clams on a simple two-hook rig and fish right on bottom. When you feel that steady tapping, give them a second to really take the bait before setting the hook.
Pollachius pollachiusPollock are the athletes of the cod family - sleek, fast, and surprisingly strong fighters that'll surprise you. They typically run 3-4 feet and can hit 40+ pounds, with that distinctive silvery lateral line and greenish-black sides. You'll find them around rocky structure and ledges, usually 100-400 feet down where they hunt smaller fish. They bite best during spring and fall when baitfish are moving. What makes pollock fun is their aggressive strikes and powerful runs - they fight much harder than their size suggests and will really test your tackle. The meat is darker than cod but still good eating when fresh. Here's the key: pollock respond well to moving baits, so try jigging sand eel imitations or bucktails near structure rather than static bottom fishing.
5.0 out of 5.0The Captain and mate worked very hard to ensure a safe, comfortable and productive day.
Great trip great captain and mate.
Great trip great captain and mate.
Exceeded our expectations! Pat and Matt were great! Very helpful and accommodating which made for a great day of fishing. Pretty m...
Great trip, made possible by Capt Matt! Has put us on fish every time. Expect to book again in the future.
Rye, NH