If you’re itching to get your trophy fish, you’re probably looking for a Bluefin Tuna. Special J Charters understands that completely and will take you fishing for that most prestigious pelagic predator, allowing you to finally tick that off your bucket list!

You’ll fish from an impressive 36’ Downeast, custom-built by Jim Beal Crowley. She’s powered by a monster 450 HP Cummins engine, allowing you to speed across the water to the fishing grounds. She can hold up to 2 anglers in proper comfort, so bring your best fishing friend on this offshore adventure. The boat is properly outfitted for a serious multi-day fishing trip, there are bunk beds, a microwave, a grill, and a full-head toilet.

Captain John Shusta will be your guide on this reel-screaming adventure. This charter is all about the Bluefin Tuna, there are no other main targets (though you may run into a variety of species on your way). The boat crew keeps the catch – customers get a 10% cut from the sale of the fish, as well as the privilege to get to keep the tail as a trophy. You will fish with live bait only, for which a live well is available on board.

Children are not allowed on this trip for safety concerns. Customers can find free parking near the marina. Clients are advised to bring rain gear, adequate clothing, polarized sunglasses, and a waterproof camera to take pictures of their epic catch!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    2 Day Trip – Marathon Tuna
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    2 Day Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Overnight stay, liveaboard
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Oct 31
    US $800
    This 2-day trip is for avid anglers who know exactly what they want – the prestigious Bluefin Tuna. These trips run up to 36 hours of fishing or until you get the total limit for the boat. All required equipment is provided by the captain. The total trip price is $1,600.
There are 6 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Special J Charters

Special J Charters offers the following trip to customers:
  • US $800 per day per group - 2 Day Trip – Marathon Tuna (2 days)

When you book a trip with Special J Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Full-head
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed Bunk beds
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen Microwave and grill
  • Refrigerator
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Special J Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Penn)
  • Live Bait
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

Special J Charters offers the following type of fishing:
  • Offshore Fishing (Wherever the fish are)

Special J Charters offers the following fishing technique:
  • Heavy Tackle (130 Class Rods and Reels)

Top targeted fish species with Special J Charters include:
  • Tuna (Bluefin)

Meet the Captain

John Shusta
South Portland, Maine, United States
5 Customer reviews
Member since April 2018
Captain John Shusta has been fishing for the better part of the last two and a half decades. He's originally from Jersey but moved to Maine in 1997. When asked what's best about his job, Capt. John replied that the pure rush of adrenaline you feel as the reel screams and you hooked up and the game is on. Join him to share in his extreme enthusiasm for excellent offshore sport fishing experience.

About this listing

Targeted species

Tuna (Bluefin) Bluefin Tuna

Boat specs

Jim Beal Crowley (Downeast) originally built in 2003. Powered by a 450HP Cummins 450C engine.

Length
36 ft
Capacity
2 persons

Types of fishing

Offshore Fishing
Wherever the fish are

Fishing techniques

Heavy Tackle
130 Class Rods and Reels

Amenities

Toilet
Full-head
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Bunk beds
Flybridge
Live Bait Well

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Penn
Live Bait
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Crew Keeps Catch
10 % stake in the sale of the fish

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 5 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (11)
Special J Fishing Charter Will land you fish
Special J Fishing Charter Will land you fish
Special J Fishing Charter Will land you fish
+8
Angler rating
4
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
80%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 5 reviews
Christian T.
Danville, Kentucky
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Special J Fishing Charter Will land you fish

2 Day Trip – Marathon Tuna on July 12, 2017
Captain John has always put me on the fish. I taken charters with him for over 14 years and he has always put us on the fish....
Christian T. recommends Special J Charters
Mark review as helpful
3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
Christian T. recommends Special J Charters
Mark review as helpful
3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful

Michael W.
Watertown, Massachusetts
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Marathon Tuna Fishing Trips!!!

2 Day Trip – Marathon Tuna on October 1, 2017
This trip is the real thing! Captain John is a great captain and made my trip very pleasurable. He also put me on the biggest...
Michael W. recommends Special J Charters
Mark review as helpful
4 persons find this review helpful
You and 4 people found this review helpful
  John Shusta Captain replied

FishingBooker Member
Warwick, Massachusetts
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

2 day trip

2 Day Trip – Marathon Tuna on August 26, 2017
first light hooked up on a monster blue fin 5 hour fight
FishingBooker Member recommends Special J Charters
Mark review as helpful
2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
FishingBooker Member recommends Special J Charters
Mark review as helpful
2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

FishingBooker Member
Salem, New Hampshire
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

September fishing trip

2 Day Trip – Marathon Tuna on September 3, 2016
FishingBooker Member recommends Special J Charters
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
FishingBooker Member recommends Special J Charters
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

John R.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   July 3, 2021
The charter operator canceled 44 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful