5 Hour Striped Bass Fishing Boston
Private Trip
5hour striped bass charter targeting peak season fishingEarly morning departures accommodate groups of 34 anglersAll licenses included with live bait and trolling techniques
There's something special about hitting Boston Harbor before dawn, watching the city wake up while you're already working the water for some of the East Coast's most prized gamefish. This 5-hour charter with Waverly Grace Charters puts you right in the thick of prime striped bass and bluefish territory during their peak season from June through September. Starting between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM from Legal Seafoods Dock, you'll be fishing productive waters while most folks are still hitting the snooze button. At $600 for up to 4 anglers, it's a solid value that covers everything you need – including all fishing licenses – so you can focus on what really matters: putting fish in the boat.
Boston Harbor might surprise you if you've never fished these waters before. Sure, it's busy with boat traffic, but your captain knows exactly where to find the fish and how to work around the hustle and bustle. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility – you're not locked into one spot or one technique. Depending on what's happening that morning, you might start by working structure with live bait, switch to casting artificials around rocky points, or set up a trolling spread to cover more water. The harbor has everything from shallow flats where stripers cruise early morning to deeper channels where blues often school up. Your captain reads the conditions – tide, wind, bait movement – and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Don't expect to just sit back and relax; this is hands-on fishing that rewards anglers who stay engaged and ready to adapt.
The approach here is all about versatility and reading what the fish want on any given day. Live bait fishing is often the go-to technique, especially when targeting bigger striped bass that are holding tight to structure. You'll work with live mackerel, herring, or eels depending on what's available and what's producing. When the fish are more aggressive or scattered, switching to artificial lures opens up your options – casting swimbaits, working topwater plugs during low light, or jigging bucktails in deeper water. Trolling comes into play when you need to cover ground and locate active schools, particularly effective for bluefish that tend to move around more than stripers. The key is having a captain who knows when to make these switches and can put you on fish using the right presentation. All tackle and bait are provided, but if you have favorite lures or rods, bring them along – most guides appreciate anglers who come prepared and engaged.
Striped bass are the main attraction here, and for good reason. These fish are built for fight – when you hook into a 30-inch striper in Boston Harbor, you're dealing with a fish that knows how to use current, structure, and its own bulk to test your drag system. They're most active during the cooler parts of the day, which is why those early morning starts pay off big time. Peak season runs June through September, with July and August often producing the most consistent action. Stripers in these waters typically range from 18 to 35 inches, with the occasional bigger fish pushing 40 inches or more. They're smart, too – they've seen plenty of lures and baits, so presentation matters. What makes them special is their combination of size, fight, and the fact that they're genuinely challenging to catch consistently. When everything clicks and you're into a good bite, there's no better feeling than watching that rod double over and hearing your drag sing.
Bluefish bring a completely different energy to the trip. These are aggressive, hard-hitting fish that don't hesitate when they see something they want. Blues in Boston Harbor typically run 2 to 8 pounds, and while they might not have the size of stripers, they make up for it with pure attitude. They're schooling fish, so when you find them, you often find them in numbers. Bluefish are also more willing to chase artificial lures, making them perfect targets when you want to keep things active and cover water. They hit topwater plugs with explosive surface strikes, and they'll absolutely destroy a well-presented bucktail or spoon. The bonus with bluefish is they're fantastic table fare when handled properly – firm, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. They're also a great species for newer anglers because they're aggressive and give you plenty of chances to practice your technique.
This trip delivers exactly what serious anglers look for: productive waters, flexible techniques, and a captain who knows how to put you on fish during prime time. The 7-day cancellation policy gives you peace of mind, and the early morning start means you're back on shore by late morning with the rest of your day free. Boston Harbor fishing during peak season is as good as it gets for striped bass and bluefish, and Waverly Grace Charters has the local knowledge to make it happen. Whether you're looking to introduce family members to saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to test these productive waters, this 5-hour charter offers the right mix of action and value. The fish are there, the techniques work, and the timing is perfect – all you need to do is show up ready to fish.
Hit the water in style aboard this 25-foot Gulfstream walkaround, your floating command center for chasing stripers around Boston Harbor. Powered by a reliable 300 HP Suzuki that cruises at 30 mph, this rig gets you to the fish fast and keeps you comfortable all day. The full cabin enclosure is a game-changer when the wind picks up or the spray starts flying – you'll stay warm and dry while working the rods. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to move around whether you're casting lures, working live bait, or setting up for a trolling pass. The walkaround design gives everyone access to the action, and the cabin means families can fish together comfortably regardless of weather conditions. This boat handles Boston's waters with ease, getting you out to the productive spots where the bass are feeding and back to the dock with a cooler full of fish.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in Boston Harbor from June through September, and they're a blast to catch. These blue-green fighters typically weigh 3-15 pounds and have razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through your leader if you're not careful. They travel in schools and feed like they're starving - we call it a "bluefish blitz" when they tear through bait schools near the surface. You'll find them around the same areas as stripers, but they're less picky about structure and more focused on following the bait. What guests love is their aggressive strike and strong fight for their size. They're also great eating when prepared fresh, though the bigger ones can be a bit stronger tasting. Pro tip: always use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - their teeth will cut through regular mono in seconds. When you see gulls diving frantically, blues are usually underneath causing the commotion.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Boston Harbor fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, though we've seen some real monsters push past 50. They love structure - think rocky points, drop-offs, and around the harbor islands where baitfish get pushed around by the current. June through September is prime time when they're actively feeding near the surface, especially during dawn and dusk. What makes them special is the fight - they're strong swimmers that'll test your drag and make long runs. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: watch for diving birds and bait activity near Deer Island. When you see that chaos on the surface, get your lines in the water fast - the stripers are usually right underneath.
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