Pilot House 8-Hour Shark Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eight-hour offshore shark fishing adventure in South Portland watersExpert crew guidance to prime shark fishing locationsSmall group experience with maximum four guests per trip
Picture this: you're 20 miles off the Maine coast, surrounded by nothing but deep blue water, waiting for that telltale scream of your reel as a mako comes charging up from the depths. That's exactly what you'll get on our 8-hour shark fishing adventure departing from South Portland. This isn't your typical striped bass charter – we're talking about targeting some of the ocean's most powerful predators in the rich waters of the Gulf of Maine. Our experienced crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while keeping things safe and fun for everyone aboard.
We launch early from South Portland's working waterfront, giving us plenty of time to reach the prime shark grounds before the action heats up. The ride out takes about an hour, depending on conditions and where the fish have been showing up. Our pilot house boat handles the offshore swells beautifully, so even if it's a bit bumpy, you'll stay comfortable while we steam to the honey holes. Once we reach our first spot, usually around the 100-fathom line where the continental shelf drops off, we'll start setting up our spread. The crew will get you rigged with circle hooks and wire leaders – essential gear when you're dealing with teeth that can slice through regular mono like butter. We keep our group small at just 4 anglers maximum, so everyone gets plenty of shots at the action without feeling crowded.
Shark fishing is all about patience and preparation, but when it happens, it happens fast. We use a combination of chunking and live bait fishing, depending on what's working best that day. The crew will set up a chum slick using fresh menhaden and mackerel, creating that oily scent trail that brings sharks in from miles away. You'll be fishing with heavy conventional reels spooled with 80-pound braid, paired with 7-foot stand-up rods that can handle serious pressure. The terminal tackle is where things get interesting – we run 6-foot wire leaders with 10/0 circle hooks, designed to hook sharks in the corner of the mouth for easier releases. When a shark takes your bait, the crew will coach you through the fight, helping you pump and wind while the fish makes its runs. These battles can last anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour, depending on the species and size.
Shortfin Mako Sharks are the speed demons of our waters, capable of hitting 40+ mph and launching themselves completely out of the water when hooked. These sleek predators show up in our area from June through October, with peak action in late summer when water temperatures hit that sweet spot around 65-70 degrees. Makos typically run 100-200 pounds in Maine waters, though we see bigger fish every season. What makes them so special is their fighting style – explosive runs, crazy jumps, and pure athleticism that'll test your tackle and your stamina.
Porbeagle Sharks are our cold-water specialists, more common in Maine than anywhere else along the East Coast. These chunky, powerful fish prefer cooler waters and can be caught here from May through November. They're built like torpedoes, with a muscular body that averages 150-250 pounds. Porbeagles don't jump like makos, but they make deep, bulldogging runs that'll have your arms burning. They're also incredibly smart – we've seen them figure out how to wrap lines around the boat or use the current to their advantage during fights.
Blue Sharks are the most common species we encounter, and while some folks consider them the "easy" shark, don't let that fool you. These beautiful fish with their bright blue coloration can stretch over 8 feet and put up a surprisingly good fight, especially on lighter tackle. Blues are here all summer long and are perfect for first-time shark anglers. They're also great for photos – their vibrant color and sleek appearance make for some amazing shots before we release them.
Thresher Sharks are the wildcards of our trips, showing up when you least expect them with their distinctive whip-like tail that can be as long as their body. These mysterious fish use that tail to stun baitfish, creating quite a show when they're feeding on the surface. Threshers typically run 200-400 pounds in our waters and are absolute brutes when hooked. They're less common than our other target species, making them extra special when one shows up on your line.
Maine's shark fishing season is relatively short but incredibly productive, running from late June through early October when water temperatures support these amazing predators. This 8-hour adventure gives you the best shot at connecting with multiple species while experiencing some of the most exciting fishing our coast has to offer. Keep in mind that we practice catch and release for all sharks, following strict conservation guidelines that help ensure these apex predators will be around for future generations. The memories you'll make battling these powerful fish in the deep blue waters off Maine will last a lifetime. Our calendar fills up fast during peak season, especially for weekend trips, so don't wait to secure your spot. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next big challenge or someone who's always dreamed of catching a shark, this adventure delivers the goods. Book now and get ready to experience world-class shark fishing right here in Maine waters.
This 2009 Steiger Pilothouse is your ticket to serious shark fishing off South Portland. With twin 250HP Suzuki engines pushing this beast to 40mph, you'll cover plenty of water searching for trophy sharks. The pilothouse design keeps you comfortable during long fights with big fish, while the radar and GPS help locate productive fishing grounds even when conditions get sketchy. The fish finder is essential for marking bait schools that attract sharks, and with space for up to 4 anglers, there's room to spread out when someone hooks up. The onboard toilet means you can stay on the water longer chasing these apex predators. This offshore-capable boat handles Maine's coastal waters with confidence, getting you to where the big sharks feed beyond the inshore grounds.
Prionace GlaucaBlues are the most common sharks we encounter offshore, and they're perfect for first-time shark anglers. These sleek, beautiful sharks average 7-10 feet with that distinctive deep blue coloring that fades to white underneath. They cruise the deeper waters around 100-400 feet, following the Gulf Stream currents that bring warm water and baitfish. What makes them fun to target is their curious nature - they'll investigate anything that smells like food. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active in our waters. They're not the strongest fighters compared to makos, but they're persistent and can put up a good scrap. The key with blues is chumming - get a good slick of ground mackerel going and keep your baits at least 20 feet from the boat. They like to come in hot and can get pretty excited in the chum line.
Lamna NasusPorbeagles are the cold-water cousins of makos, and they're perfectly suited for our Maine waters. These stocky sharks average 5-8 feet and love the cooler temperatures we get here, especially during summer when they move onto the continental shelf. You can spot them by the distinctive white patch behind their dorsal fin. What guests love about porbeagles is their tenacious fight - they're known to leap clear out of the water and battle for hours. They prefer depths of 30-300 feet, often following schools of mackerel and herring. The meat is actually excellent eating too, considered a delicacy in many places. My best advice: use a full mackerel for bait and don't be shy with the chum. These sharks can be cautious, but once they smell that oily slick, they'll come investigate.
Isurus OxyrinchusThe fastest shark in the ocean, makos are the holy grail for shark anglers. These torpedo-shaped predators average 6-10 feet and can hit 30+ mph, making them famous for their aerial acrobatics when hooked. They'll leap 20 feet out of the water and even try jumping in your boat! We find them in deeper offshore waters during summer months when they follow baitfish closer to shore. What makes them special is their incredible fight - pure power and intelligence combined. They'll use every trick to break free, circling the boat or diving deep. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving in a wide circle to prevent them from wrapping your line around the hull. Heavy tackle is a must - these fish don't give up easy.
Alopias VulpinusThreshers are the most unique sharks you'll encounter - half their body length is that massive tail they use like a whip to stun baitfish. These impressive sharks can reach 15-20 feet and put up an amazing fight, often launching themselves completely out of the water. We target them in 100-500 feet of water during late summer and fall when they follow mackerel schools closer to shore. What makes them special is watching them hunt - they'll use that tail to slap the surface and stun whole schools of fish. Despite their size, they have surprisingly small mouths, so don't go overboard on hook size. The trick with threshers is finding the bait balls on your fish finder, then drifting live or fresh mackerel through the area. Keep your drag smooth because when they take off, they really take off.
Portland