Portland Fishing Charters
14 fishing charters
The best out of 14 charter fishing deals in Portland - enter dates to check availability
Top Fishing Charters in Portland
Portland: 14 fishing charters available
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South Portland • 28 ft • 6 persons
Whiptail Adventures offers an incredible sport fishing experience on the waters out of South Portland, Maine.
trips fromUS $400
South Portland • 21 ft • 4 persons
Make the most of your time in South Portland and go fishing with Origin Outfitters.
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trips fromUS $400
South Portland • 36 ft • 2 persons
If you’re itching to get your trophy fish, you’re probably looking for a Bluefin Tuna. "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, Kentucky
trips fromUS $800
Saco • 18 ft • 3 persons
Eagle's Rock Tackle & Charter is a family-owned and operated small business focusing on fishing, lobstering, and scenic boat tours.
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trips fromUS $225
Biddeford • 21 ft • 3 persons
Captain Owen grew up in coastal southern Maine. He's fished the saco bay and its surrounding areas for his entire life.
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trips fromUS $450
Phippsburg • 21 ft • 4 persons
Captain Joe Jerome offers fishing adventures out of Phippsburg, ME.
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trips fromUS $275
Bath • 21 ft • 5 persons
Super Fly Charters can’t wait to take you on a professional and friendly guided fishing trip. "We had the most incredible fishing experience thanks to Captain John!" — Lucas, MA
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trips fromUS $550
Freeport • 22 ft • 6 persons
Seawalker Excursions invites you on a day of awesome fishing from beautiful Casco Bay in Maine. "This was an amazing trip for my family! Captain Corey was outstanding and made sure that we had the best time possible!" — Jessica, CO
trips fromUS $300
Freeport • 20 ft • 4 persons
Balding Eagle Enterprises welcomes you aboard! Come to Freeport, Maine and have a relaxing and fun day on the water.
trips fromUS $300
Saco • 27 ft • 5 persons
If you're in the market for a day to remember, look no further than The Struggle Is Reel Charters. "My husband, dad and two teenage boys spent the day with Chris and it was AMAZING!" — Chanelle, MA
trips fromUS $550
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Frequently Asked Questions about Fishing Charters in Portland
Fishing in Portland
Gulls screaming overhead, the smell of the sea in the air, the busy shouts of a working dock–you can’t beat Portland, Maine for its historic atmosphere and fishing heritage. A seafaring history really shines through aboard Portland fishing charters, where skilled captains pilot the state’s signature downeast boats on the hunt for huge, tasty fish. Step aboard and see for yourself!
Portland sits in the middle of the Gulf of Maine, the summertime home of all the Northeast’s favorite sportfish. From Tuna and Sharks to Striped Bass and Bluefish, you really need to bring your A-game to these waters. The bay is also a historic food fishery, famous for its stocks of Crab, Lobster, and groundfish. Cast your eye inland, and you find a who’s who of freshwater species including Trout, Bass, Salmon, and Pike. It’s the land of plenty for ambitious anglers.
The fishing is even better today than it was 10 years ago. Maine has really improved its conservation efforts in recent years, and many species are bouncing back from overfishing. Numbers are on the rise and some huge catches are made each year. Add in a generations-long guiding tradition and some of the most stunning nature in the country, and you’ve got the perfect place to put your skills to the test.
Wet a line in any puddle or inlet in the state and you’ll head home with aching arms and something for dinner. What you catch varies wildly depending on where and how you fish, though, so picking the right kind of trip is key. Here are a few of your main options.
If you’re after the biggest fish and the hottest action, you can’t beat the epic deep sea fishing Portland has on its doorstep. Every summer, Bluefin Tuna and Blue, Mako, Thresher, and Porbeagle Sharks swarm the deeper waters of the Casco Bay, to the joy of anglers from all over the country.
Most Tuna are schooling size “footballs” with a few monsters also caught each year. Even a 50 lb Bluefin packs enough punch to put seasoned anglers through their paces, though, and Sharks are anything but small if you’re after heavy tackle action.
Food fishing doesn’t get much better than going after Maine’s many groundfish. Strike lucky on a bottom fishing trip and you’ll need to buy a whole new freezer for your catch! Cod, Pollock, and Haddock are the main targets, but you can find Monkfish, Hake, Halibut, Cusk, and much, much more.
Groundfish are found in the bay all year round, so you never have to run out of fish again. After an even bigger haul? Set traps on the journey out and haul in some Crab and Lobster on the way back to the dock as an added bonus.
If you don’t fancy the long boat rides or are concerned about choppy seas offshore, don’t worry–there’s plenty of action right along the coastline! The Striper fishing Portland enjoys each summer is a point of pride for local charter guides, and the local Bluefish really add some bite to your battle. Throw in Jonah and Rock Crabs, huge numbers of Mackerel, and Maine’s stunning rocky coastline, and you’ve got the perfect day inshore.
We’re not ignoring Portland’s inland fisheries. In many ways, we saved the best for last. From the calm waters of Sebago Lake to the banks of the Presumpscot River, the local waters hold a huge range of species.
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Brook, Brown, Lake, and Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Pike, Perch, Crappie–the list just keeps going. The freshwater bite is best in spring and fall but you can target most fish even in the depths of winter if you’re not afraid to step out onto the ice.
Fishing licenses are included on Portland fishing charters. If you’re fishing from shore, you have to sign up to the saltwater fishing registry, which costs $1 for a year, or buy a Maine fishing license, which is valid of both salt and freshwater. Rivers and streams are closed to all fishing October through the end of March. You can only use flies or lures to target most river species from August 16 through September 30.
You can pick up a freshwater trip for around $200-300, and most saltwater charters only cost around $100 per hour. Extended, overnight, and even multi-day charters are common here, taking you out in search of the biggest Tuna around. Invest in one of these trips, and you’ll get nothing short of the adventure of a lifetime!
Portland is an easy 2-hour drive from Boston and a 6-hour drive from New York when traffic is good. If you can’t face the I-95, you can take a train from both cities. Flights also run from around the country to Portland International Jetport. Most fishing charters run from South Portland, just across the Fore River from the city’s center. Portland is very easy to get around by car or taxi, thanks to its size and ample parking, even downtown.
Portland is the perfect town for a relaxing fishing vacation. With untouched forests, a stunning coastline, and a waterfront straight out of the history books, you couldn’t find a more picture-perfect place for a fishing charter. Not that you’ll notice any of this when you’re straining to bring in the nation’s finest sportfish!