Maine USA
| Destination Information |
Shark fishing has become a very popular sport among anglers seeking an unusual experience and the chance to tangle with large fish in the open ocean. A day on the water fishing for sharks is something you’ll never forget. Most of Maine’s sharks reside almost 15 miles from shore in water that is about 400 feet deep. On your excursion to the fishing grounds, you’ll likely see whales, dolphins and porpoises. When you reach the area where the bad boys swim, your captain will cut the boat’s engines and drop a bag of chum consisting of usually ground herring into the blue. Sharks are scent hunters & the aroma of chum in the water attracts sharks from a great distance. It won’t take long before the captain announces, “Here they come!” You’ll spot fins slicing through the surface toward your boat, and within minutes you will cast your fly in front of the nose of a blue, mako, thresher, or porbeagle shark. You’ll actually see its mouth open and chomp down on your offering. You’re in for the fight of your life! Maine’s offshore waters contain healthy populations of large sharks. The state record for a blue shark caught on conventional tackle weighed 391 pounds (177 kg), and the fly-rod record is 101 pounds. The state record for a mako shark, (caught using conventional tackle and not fly gear), was a mighty 680 pounds (309 kg). Other anglers prefer to fish for speedy bluefin tuna. Several Maine charter boat captains offer trips to catch these big, fast bruisers. How big? The Maine state record for a bluefin tuna caught on conventional tackle is 819 pounds (372 kg)! In addition to chasing sharks and tuna, anglers interested in fishing Maine’s offshore blue water can enjoy good sport catching pollack, mackerel, flounder, cod, red fish, striped bass and other species. Several Maine companies, offer affordable half-day saltwater fishing excursions that include tackle, and are perfect for the hardcore fisherman or the entire family. We’ll be adding more information as we continue building the website.
| Species & Tactics |
Striped Bass
The Striped Bass, or "striper," are one of the most avidly pursued of all coastal sport fish. They are highly prized for their size, battle on the line and culinary merit. Stripers are native to the Atlantic coastline of North America from the St. Lawrence River into the Gulf of Mexico to approximately Louisiana. They are anadromous fish that migrate between fresh and salt water. Striped bass spawn in freshwater and although they have been successfully adapted to freshwater habitat, they naturally spend their adult lives in saltwater. Stripers can live up to 40 years and can reach weights greater than 100 lbs., although those larger than 50 lbs. are rare. Females reach significantly greater sizes than do males; most stripers over 30 lbs. are female. Males reach sexual maturity at two or three years of age, however, females will not mature before the age of four and some not until the age of six.
Spinner Shark (& other shark species)
One of the best kept secrets in all of salt water fly fishing is the Spinner Shark migration in late winter through early spring in. It happens in a place where you least expect it...West Palm & Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Really, we aren't kidding. This is spring break for sharks. They migrate to the beaches off of Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach chasing fish (snook, blues and false albacore & other tuna species) that are breeding & feeding in the surf or just beyond the surf. You can sight fish for a 100+ lb. powerhouse in just 8 feet of water. Flyfishbonehead had so much fun that we went out twice in 2012, hooked 9 and landed 5 on our first trip and landed 5 of 6 on the second. Considering the fight and how hard it is to subdue this beast that was pretty darn good.
Marlin
There is no fight like the fight of a Marlin. This is the prized fish of most saltwater anglers all over the world. They span almost all of the waters of the globe and can be caught by a variety of methods at various times of year in many diverse places. Marlin fishing is considered by some game fishermen to be the pinnacle of offshore game fish, due to their power, size and the relative rareness. It is an expensive hobby, requiring considerable money to pursue on a regular basis, single day of Marlin fishing can cost over $1000. They are possibly the most well-known fish in the entire world which probably accounts for millions of dollars in commerce spent hunting them. The novel by Ernest Hemingway, "The Old Man and the Sea" chronicles the struggle of a Marlin fisherman who after 85 days of failure, ventures out to sea to change his luck and catch a Marlin. Hemmingway frequently fished for Marlin, quite successfully with his family. The Marlin is the largest of the billfish and comes in many variations: Pacific Black Marlin Pacific Blue Marlin Atlantic Blue Marlin White Marlin Striped Marlin
Mahi Mahi
Mahi-Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) (aka Dorado, Dolphin, Lampuga, Lampuki, Lapuki, Maveriko) If you're interested in catching super-strong, beautiful, not-too-choosy, leaping fish, here ya go. These are the saltwater equivalents of bluegills, except they jump, and they get big. Like as big as your aging retriever. The common English name "dolphin" causes much confusion and lots of hand-wringing. Let's be clear: this fish is not related to the marine mammal also known as dolphin (family Delphinidae).
Tuna
General Information If not already fishing for tuna on the fly, we'll just ask....Why not? This is a serious Saltwater fly fisherman's target. It's big, hits your fly at 40 mph (75 kph) and is found in just about every fishing destination you could possibly think of. Tuna are incredibly beautiful and powerful predators that come is many many different flavors too: Bluefin, Blackfin, Yellowfin, Bigeye, Longtail, Dogtooth
| What To Bring |
Striped Bass
Stripers usually require a 10 -12 weight. Most anglers prefer a 12 weight for the lifting power and usually gives the angler more control when trying to land the fish. Wind is usually not an issue when casting a 12 weight. Many will use a tyable metal tippet in case bluefish are encountered, a 15 lb should do just fine. Use a floating line or what we prefer is the intermediate sink line with at least 300 yards of backing on your reel. Leaders should be 9-12 feet with at least a 20 lb tippet. The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which simply means a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance
Most baitfish patterns will work for stipers Try eel patterns, surf candies, & ultra shrimp too
Billfish: Marlin, Sailfish
Offshore fishing for billfish & tuna usually involves a 12 -15 weight. Here you will have a chance at blue & white Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-mahi & Tuna. We prefer a 14 weight and there are some which even have a butt suitable for gimbel use. Again because we are all about control of the fish and landing the fish quickly which decreases mortality and injury after release. The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means different things to different people. To us, it means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance
We like baitfish, poppers & squid (EP flex calmari) Best are blue & white, pink & white, green & white
Tuna
Offshore fishing for billfish & tuna usually involves a 12 -15 weight. Here you will have a chance at blue & white Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-mahi & Tuna. We prefer a 14 weight and there are some which even have a butt suitable for gimbel use. Again because we are all about control of the fish and landing the fish quickly which decreases mortality and injury after release. The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means different things to different people. To us, it means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance
Small minnow patterns like surf candy, DNA minnows Eat Me in blues & greens, click the link for more.
Shark
Shark usually require a 12 weight. A 12 for the lifting power and usually gives the angler more control when trying to land the fish bacause they fight. Use a floating linewith at least 300 yards of backing on your reel. Leaders should be 6-9 feet with a metal tippet material. (we use 30-60 lb metal tippet) The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means different things to different people. To us, it means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance
| Preferred Guides |
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Lodges |
