On The Side Charters operates out of the historic town of Newburyport, MA, offering a variety of fishing trips from 3 to 10 hours. The waters around Newburyport are teeming with a wide range of species, and On The Side Charters makes the most of this fact, by offering trips targeting anything from Mackerel and Flounder in the shallows, to huge Sharks and monster Bluefin Tuna way out into the ocean.

The boat you will be spending the day on is a 29’ Webbers Coast downeast with room aboard for up to 6 guests. She’s powered by an impressive 280 HP General Motors engine, meaning you will waste no time getting to the best fishing grounds offshore, and comes equipped with everything you will need for some awesome fishing.

The vessel features all-new Simrad electronics, with CHIRP sonar to allow the best possible view of what lurks beneath you. Once you’re locked in on your catch, a choice of realistic lures and live bait fresh from the tank will be too tempting for any fish to ignore, and the vessel’s tournament grade tackle will give you the best chance of landing whatever you sink your hook into.

Captain Jonathan Carey takes pride in offering one of the best selections of trips around, welcoming clients aboard for anything from 3-hour stints after work catching tasty Striped Bass for dinner, to 10-hour offshore adventures doing battle with giant Bluefin Tuna. In order to be productive targeting so many species, he offers a choice of light and heavy tackle, with the option to troll, spin, jig, and pop, as well as to drift, fly, and kite fish.

Even if fishing is not your thing, On The Side Charters have the perfect trip for you, taking in the Newburyport waterfront on a 2-hour sunset cruise. No matter what trip you choose, Captain John will work with you to make sure it is exactly what you are looking for. On offshore trips, all large Bluefin are kept by the boat, but Captain John will give you a 10% discount on your next trip.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3 Hour Trip – Evening Bass Fishing
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 4:00 PM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Oct 1 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    $525
    Unwind after work fishing Striped Bass in the evening sun.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Bass (Afternoon)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:30 PM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Oct 1 (Sat, Sun)
    $700
    The boat is yours for the afternoon, so get out there and catch some great Striped Bass!
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Bass (Morning)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Oct 1 (Sat, Sun)
    $700
    Spend the morning targeting big Striped Bass on this 4-hour fishing charter.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Sharks
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Oct 1
    $1,500
    This trip will see you fishing for various Shark species offshore.
  • Private trip
    10 Hour Trip – Bluefin & Sharks
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Oct 1
    $1,650
    This is what fishing is all about - heading way offshore in search of giant Bluefin Tuna. If a big Tuna is caught, the boat retains the catch and clients receive 10% off their next booking.
There are 6 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about On The Side Charters

On The Side Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $525 per group, additional $50 per person after 4 guests - 3 Hour Trip – Evening Bass Fishing (3 hours)
  • $700 per group, additional $50 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Bass (Afternoon) (4 hours)
  • $700 per group, additional $50 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Bass (Morning) (4 hours)
  • $1,500 per group - 8 Hour Trip – Sharks (8 hours)
  • $1,650 per group - 10 Hour Trip – Bluefin & Sharks (10 hours)

When you book a trip with On The Side Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Full Marine Head with Holding Tank
  • GPS New Simrad NSS 9
  • Fishfinder CHIRP Sonar 1Kw
  • Bed Full VBerth
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radar 24 mile Furuno

Trips booked with On The Side Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

On The Side Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing

On The Side Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
  • Kite Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with On The Side Charters include:
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Bluefish
  • Dogfish
  • Flounder
  • Mackerel (Atlantic)
  • Shark (Blue)
  • Shark (Mako)
  • Shark (Porbeagle)
  • Shark (Thresher)
  • Skate
  • Tuna (Bluefin)

About the Captain

Jonathan Carey
Newburyport, Massachusetts, United States
26 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
17 Customer reviews
Response time 4 hours
Member since June 2017
In addition to being an experienced captain in my own right, I have mated for and learned from some of the best old time captains in the area. I bring to the table over 20 years experience fishing from Provincetown Cape Cod to the Gulf of Maine out to Georges Bank chasing Striped Bass to Bluefin Tuna and everything in between. For the last ten years, I have been a commercial Tuna and Bass fisherman. My experience covers commercial, charter, and head boat fishing. As a lifetime angler, I enjoy both fresh and saltwater fishing. My passion, however, is definitely saltwater. This transition occurred after my first experience catching a Bluefin Tuna....I can still hear that drag screaming!!! If you are a life long angler like myself or a begginer, let me share my love of the ocean and fishing with you and your group. I guarantee you will not only leave with a memorable experience but also new knowledge, and most likely some dinner! We are now offerong corporate charters on our 37' Duffy.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Striped) Striped Bass
Bluefish Bluefish
Dogfish Dogfish
Flounder Flounder

Boat specs

Webbers Cove (Downeast) originally built in 1994, and restored in 2018. Powered by a 280HP GM 350 engine.

Length
29 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing
Kite Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Full Marine Head with Holding Tank
GPS
New Simrad NSS 9
Fishfinder
CHIRP Sonar 1Kw
Bed
Full VBerth
Live Bait Well
Kitchen

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Like jackets available for children 12 and under
You Keep Catch
Crew Keeps Catch
Boat keeps Giant Tuna from offshore trips.
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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
Checks

Newburyport Fishing Calendar

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Recent Fishing Reports

Fully inspected and ready for a great se
Fully inspected and ready for a great se
May 25, 2023
Dockside examination with a US Coast guard complete and we are ready to rock and roll!
Continue reading
T minus 6 days to launch for 2023 season
T minus 6 days to launch for 2023 season
May 1, 2023
Captain John has been hard at work paint is done systems are checked and we are a few days away from starting the 2023 season! Book early to reserve your preferred date!
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 17 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (7)
An afternoon with Capt. Jon
nice bluefish!
3 hour trip with Captain Jon
+4
Angler Rating
16
1
0
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
67%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 17 reviews
Robert B.
Hampton, New Hampshire
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

3 hour trip with Captain Jon

VERIFIED   3 Hour Trip – Evening Bass Fishing on August 3, 2022
Jon was a great guide and his knowledge of the local waters was greatly appreciated. My son in law, grandsons and I had a great...
Robert B. recommends On The Side Charters
Mark review as helpful
3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
  Jonathan Carey Captain replied

Aaron L.
Fairport, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

An afternoon with Capt. Jon

VERIFIED   3 Hour Trip – Evening Bass Fishing on August 24, 2022
We had a wonderful afternoon with Captain Jon aboard the Stand Sure. He literally put us on fish within seconds of dropping...
Aaron L. recommends On The Side Charters
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Aaron L. recommends On The Side Charters
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Tom N.
Westford, MA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Evening blue cruise

VERIFIED   3 Hour Trip – Evening Bass Fishing on August 22, 2022
Overall we had a great time out. Capt. Jonathan was on top of everything, and provided some great tips on fishing the area....
Tom N. recommends On The Side Charters
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  Jonathan Carey Captain replied

Diane H.
Salem, MA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Bass (Afternoon) on June 25, 2022
Captain Jon was personable and took care of everything!  I felt very safe with him. He is a master seaman for sure!  We had...
Diane H. recommends On The Side Charters
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  Jonathan Carey Captain replied

Julia Z.
Waltham, MA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

10 hour trip with Cap’t Jon

VERIFIED   10 Hour Trip – Bluefin & Sharks on August 14, 2022
Cap’t Jon was amazing! 11/10 would recommend! He was so relaxed and personable and knowledgeable with the area.
Julia Z. recommends On The Side Charters
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  Jonathan Carey Captain replied