Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters

Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters offers professional, private sport fishing charters for anglers of all abilities and all ages. Join Captain Gary Cannell to discover Gloucester fishing at its finest. With over 40 years of fishing experience, he ought to know what he’s doing.

Don’t let the name mislead you – though Tuna Hunter excels in going after giant Bluefin Tuna, they’re superb in every aspect of deep sea fishing. They don’t shy away from inshore fishing either, so Capt. Gary will guide you through Striped Bass fishing in the surrounding Cape Ann waters if that’s what you’d prefer.

However, catching enormous Tuna is your captain’s passion, so if you’re ready to wrestle with the giants, he will show you where and how it’s done. The feat will require a bit of luck, skill, and patience, as getting those bad boys into the boat can take up to a couple of hours. However, the effort will definitely be worth it when you first set your eyes on the monster you just caught.

You may also catch Haddock, Flounder, Bluefish, and even some Sharks. Rods, reels, bait, tackle as well as instruction (as needed or requested) are provided, you just need to come aboard and get ready to fish.

These angling escapades wouldn’t be possible without a trusty boat like Capt. Gary’s 36’ Runaway. She is outfitted with two 240 HP Volvo engines and can take you out steadily and comfortably. The vessel will take up to 6 anglers for a day of amazing angling experiences.

Corporate, family and group outings are Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters specialty, so invite whoever you think would be the best company for your fishing expedition and come aboard!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip - Inshore
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $800
    This half-day trip is popular for Striped Bass and Bluefish fishing. Striped Bass is plentiful in these waters, and easy to catch for new anglers. These inshore charters offer light tackle fishing action in close to the rocks and island shores of Cape Ann.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip—Striped Bass/Bluefish
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $1,150
    Join Captain Gary for 8 hours of chasing after Striped Bass and Bluefish in the inshore waters. You will be on the fish in no time and then it's time to reel in your next personal record.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Cod/Haddock
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    9 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $1,600
    Get the gang together for a gorgeous day of fishing in Gloucester and catch food for the whole family, as Haddock and Cod make a great table fare. There is also the chance of catching giant Tuna or Sharks, as those species frequent many of captain's favorite bottom-fishing spots. Whale watching is another side benefit that you don't want to miss out on.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Giant Bluefin Tuna
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    9 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Nov 10
    US $1,600
    Giant Bluefin Tuna fishing is like big game hunting — it requires careful selection of the right fishing spot and selection of the right bait and presentation for the day’s light all are part of the hunt for a hungry, mighty Giant Bluefin. Captain Gary has been fishing these bad boys since the seventies, so he knows where they hide and how to get them.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Sharks
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    9 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $1,600
    Mako sharks, Porbeagles, and Blue Sharks, can all be reeled in on live bait, jigs, or by kite fishing. Join Capt. Gary and discover why excitement of hooking a big shark and fighting it to the boat is unforgettable.
  • Private trip
    12 Hour Offshore Marathon
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $1,950
    This is the marathon version of Bluefin Tuna and Shark trip put together, or Cod and Haddock charters. Here's an adventure reserved for the anglers who simply think that 9 hours on the water is not enough.
There are 5 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters

Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $800 per group - Half Day Trip - Inshore (5 hours)
  • US $1,150 per group - Full Day Trip—Striped Bass/Bluefish (8 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group - Full Day Trip - Cod/Haddock (9 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group - Full Day Trip - Giant Bluefin Tuna (9 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group - Full Day Trip - Sharks (9 hours)
  • US $1,950 per group - 12 Hour Offshore Marathon (12 hours)

When you book a trip with Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Marine head, steps to access
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well Chunks don't scream!
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Top notch tackle, meticulously maintained)
  • Live Bait (We catch live bait most every trip)
  • Lures (if conditions dictate, we use lures too)
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Bring ice for the ride home)
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License (Our license covers you while aboard)
  • Fly Fishing Equipment (For Stripers and Bluefish)

Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (Inshore along the rocks and islands of Cape Ann)
  • Offshore Fishing (Offshore to Stellwagen, Jeffries, Ipswich Bay etc.)

Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle (Meticulously maintained)
  • Heavy Tackle (Penn 130s, custom Hardy rods)
  • Bottom Fishing (Haddock, Pollack, Cod when regulations allow)
  • Trolling (Early or late season as conditions merit)
  • Spinning (Striped bass and Bluefish)
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Drift Fishing
  • Kite Fishing (When winds allow)
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters include:
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Bluefish
  • Cod
  • Flounder
  • Haddock
  • Mackerel (Atlantic)
  • Pollock
  • Shark (Blue)
  • Shark (Mako)
  • Shark (Porbeagle)
  • Tuna (Bluefin)

Meet the Captain

Gary Cannell
Gloucester, Massachusetts, United States
10 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
8 Customer reviews
Response time 10 hours
Member since November 2014
Captain Gary Cannell has been fishing for 40 years, and for all that time, going after giant Bluefin Tuna is his passion. His biggest catch is a 1030 lb Bluefin Tuna, which just happened to set a new state record in New Jersey. Capt. Gary's guarantee is he will try very hard to put you on the fish and do everything in his power for you to have an amazing time. When not on the water, he spends his time in the woods of Massachusetts.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Striped) Striped Bass
Bluefish Bluefish
Cod Cod
Flounder Flounder

Boat specs

Runaway (Sportfishing) originally built in 1984. Powered by 2 240HP Volvo engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 25 knots.

Length
36 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Inshore along the rocks and islands of Cape Ann
Offshore Fishing
Offshore to Stellwagen, Jeffries, Ipswich Bay etc.

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Meticulously maintained
Heavy Tackle
Penn 130s, custom Hardy rods
Bottom Fishing
Haddock, Pollack, Cod when regulations allow
Trolling
Early or late season as conditions merit
Spinning
Striped bass and Bluefish
Jigging
Popping
Drift Fishing
Kite Fishing
When winds allow
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Marine head, steps to access
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well
Chunks don't scream!
Outriggers

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Top notch tackle, meticulously maintained
Live Bait
We catch live bait most every trip
Lures
if conditions dictate, we use lures too
Catch cleaning & filleting
Bring ice for the ride home
First Mate
Fishing License
Our license covers you while aboard
Fly Fishing Equipment
For Stripers and Bluefish

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.
Child Friendly
We do have life preservers for young ones
You Keep Catch
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
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

Gloucester Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 8 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (26)
Fishing Bluefin Tuna with Wicked Tuna\u2019s Gary Capitan
Fishing Bluefin Tuna with Wicked Tuna\u2019s Gary Capitan
Fishing Bluefin Tuna with Wicked Tuna\u2019s Gary Capitan
+23
Angler rating
8
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
88%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
88%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 8 reviews
Linfeng L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing Bluefin Tuna with Wicked Tuna’s Gary Capitan

VERIFIED   12 Hour Offshore Marathon on November 5, 2023
Captain Gary and first mate Joe are very helpful and kind, they taught me some crucial skills fishing with tuna and sharks....
Linfeng L. recommends Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Linfeng L. recommends Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Sherrie G.
Fonda, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full Day Trip with Gary & Paul

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Cod/Haddock on May 21, 2022
Everyone on the boat limited out.  Had one fish on hook that was bitten by a shark and was able to watch. One of our crew...
Sherrie G. recommends Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Gary Cannell Captain replied

Chad F.
Plessis, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

June fishing trip

VERIFIED   12 Hour Offshore Marathon on June 13, 2022
Captain Gary was great. He was very accommodating and made our fishing trip one that we will never forget. Can’t wait to...
Chad F. recommends Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Gary Cannell Captain replied

Norris H.
Toano, VA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time in Gloucester, MA

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Cod/Haddock on July 10, 2018
With 3 children and 3 adults we chartered with Tuna Hunter for Haddock fishing. After arriving at location we were quickly...
Norris H. recommends Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Gary Cannell Captain replied

Eric R.
S CHEEK, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Gary

VERIFIED   12 Hour Offshore Marathon on August 31, 2021
Eric R. recommends Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Gary Cannell Captain replied