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Coleman’s Guide Service
Charter operator

Coleman’s Guide Service

Freeport, United States
Angler's choice
50+ reviews
I'm a 10th generation Mainer. I grew up in Augusta and have degrees from UMO in Biology and a Masters from Sarah Lawerence College in writing. I'm also a flyfishing guide in Rangely Maine, and Scotland. I write for the Maine Sportsman and I'm a published poet short story writer.

Charters

Rating

4.9
59 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

100%
Recommend this charter
86%
Caught fish

All reviews (59)

Showing 1 – 5 of 59 reviews
  • Chris Madden
    Chris Madden
    Repeat angler
    us
    Connecticut, US
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Fantastic morning on the water.

    4 Hour Trip –Striped Bass (AM) • 2 adults • 1 child

    My 11 year old son and I had a fantastic experience with Coleman guide service. Joe was very welcoming, and did an excellent job keeping my son engaged, explaining each step of the process when targeting different fish. He worked the full duration of the trip to get us on fish, constantly making adjustments to our location and tactics. We caught some great fish, several species we'd never caught before. He was also knowledgeable about local history, and a great wildlife guide, pointing out seals, poirposes, birds, etc. It was the highlight of our trip to Maine, we look forward to going again on our next visit!

    Reported catch:
    Atlantic Mackerel
  • Karen Herman
    Karen Herman
    Repeat angler
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Fun for a family or friends!

    3 Hour Trip - Striped Bass(PM) • 4 adults

    Joe was a competent captain and even better guide. We had an awesome time with him. Truly a unique experience with getting to catch our own mackerel to use as live bait and getting to catch some large striper with it. Despite it being a day when fish were not supposed to be biting, Joe was able to use his expertise to get us to the right position to make some memorable catches. We could not recommend him or the experience he offers any higher. He was very personable and made the trip a fun experience whether you're able to catch fish or not. When we're back in the area from Michigan we will be booking with him again.

  • Jonathan Everhart
    Jonathan Everhart
    Repeat angler
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2023
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Wonderful trip

    4 Hour Trip –Striped Bass (AM) • 1 adult

    smooth ride out of the marina and moorings leads one to a beutiful panorama of small rocky islands eventually giving way to the open sea. there we caught cod until arms are tired, tris ti scout a tuna as they have been in the area, and saw a Minke whale. we rhen haded back toward shore for some mackeral to get aftwr the stripers. truly was an amazing day. the capatain is gracious and as interesting as advertised. he has all the right gear rigged up the right way. You will have a great time with captain coleman!

    Reported catch:
    Atlantic Mackerel
    Striped Bass
  • Tammy Rickert
    Tammy Rickert
    us
    Massachusetts, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great time!

    2 Hr Sunset/Nature Cruise • 4 adults • 1 child

    We had a fantastic time! The captain was very knowledgeable and personable and made for a great evening of fishing. We were able to catch a ton of mackerel for bait. Although the stripers weren’t biting at first the captain kept us in the game until the bitter end and we were able to hook up to a nice keeper striper! Our favorite part was being able to actually fish on our own. (some charters only let you reel in once hooked up) Was a great time, weather was perfect and we came home with a striper! Would highly recommend!

    Reported catch:
    Striped Bass
    Atlantic Mackerel
  • Peter Corning
    Peter Corning
    us
    Maine, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Awesome Trip

    3 Hour Trip — Striped Bass(AM) • 4 adults

    We had a great AM fishing trip with Captain Joe. he was super generous with his time and knowledge, pointing out various birds and wildlife that populate Casco Bay (including a pair of American Oystercatchers!). We caught a ton of mackerel and had fun chasing the stripers even though they werent biting much. A highlight of the morning was jumping into Casco Bay, highly recommended if the weather is good! Thanks again Joe! I would recommend this trip to anyone looking to make some good memories.

    Reported catch:
    Atlantic Mackerel

Real catches shared by our community

  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    A young angler in a life jacket is reeling in a fish while fishing on a calm lake, showcasing the excitement of the catch.
    Fish 1
    Atlantic Mackerel
    Chris M.
    Chris M.
    My 11 year old son and I had a fantastic experience with Coleman guide service. Joe was very welcoming, and did an excellent job keeping my son engaged, explaining each step of the process when targeting different fish. He worked the full duration of the trip to get us on fish, constantly making adjustments to our location and tactics. We caught some great fish, several species we'd never caught before. He was also knowledgeable about local history, and a great wildlife guide, pointing out seals, poirposes, birds, etc. It was the highlight of our trip to Maine, we look forward to going again on our next visit!
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    Adult angler holding a large spotted seatrout aboard a small center-console fishing boat on calm offshore waters.
    Jonathan E.
    Jonathan E.
    smooth ride out of the marina and moorings leads one to a beutiful panorama of small rocky islands eventually giving way to the open sea. there we caught cod until arms are tired, tris ti scout a tuna as they have been in the area, and saw a Minke whale. we rhen haded back toward shore for some mackeral to get aftwr the stripers. truly was an amazing day. the capatain is gracious and as interesting as advertised. he has all the right gear rigged up the right way. You will have a great time with captain coleman!
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    Family fishing group with two young anglers proudly holding freshly caught fish aboard a small boat on calm coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Atlantic Mackerel
    John C.
    John C.
    Kids had fun catching mackeral! Weather and tides were in our favor, but Captain Coleman still put in maximum effort to catch us a striper.
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    A young angler proudly holding a large crab while enjoying a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Atlantic Mackerel
    Robin D.
    Robin D.
    Captain Coleman was so knowledgeable and took great care of all of us! My 7 year old nephew was hooked on everything Captain Coleman had to share and is ready to go back out! The boat was great and equipped with everything we needed. We got to see seals, dolphins, a huge osprey nest and one of the rare american oystercatchers! We caught lots of mackerel and my nephew got to explore, learn and fish his little heart out! Thanks a bunch, we will certainly be back! 1000% recommend!
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    Striped wahoo-like fish suspended on a fishing line above clear coastal water.
    Fish 1
    Atlantic Mackerel
    Robert D.
    Robert D.
    I went with three grandchildren, ages 10-17, all with limited experience fishing. Captain Joe was superb with the youngish crowd. We didn't luck onto any stripers that day, but caught plenty of fish to make everyone happy. And the extremely close up proximity to marine mammals (seals and dolphins) and birds (nesting osprey and oyster catchers, both with chicks) made the outing extraordinary for all of us.
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    Angler proudly displaying a large striped bass while fishing from a boat, showcasing a successful catch in a serene water setting.
    Fish 1
    Striped Bass
    John S.
    John S.
    Joe made this 2 hour trip special He tailored it perfectly for our college age daughter and her friend who are not hard cord anglers. We saw seals, bald eagles and other wild life and then we landed a 36" striper and headed in with everyone grinning ear to ear! many thanks to Joe for a great time!
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    Two adult anglers proudly display a large striped bass aboard a fishing boat on calm, foggy waters.
    Fish 1
    Striped Bass
    David W.
    David W.
    Captain Joe was great! Worked hard to put us on the fish and kept it fun! Would fish with him again. Thanks Joe!
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    Solo adult angler reeling from a boat on calm open water, with the rod bent during active fishing.
    Peter C.
    Peter C.
    We had a great AM fishing trip with Captain Joe. he was super generous with his time and knowledge, pointing out various birds and wildlife that populate Casco Bay (including a pair of American Oystercatchers!). We caught a ton of mackerel and had fun chasing the stripers even though they werent biting much. A highlight of the morning was jumping into Casco Bay, highly recommended if the weather is good! Thanks again Joe! I would recommend this trip to anyone looking to make some good memories.
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    Angler casting a line from the bow of a boat on a sunny day, enjoying a peaceful fishing experience on calm waters.
    Paweł P.
    Paweł P.
  • Coleman’s Guide Service
    Coleman’s Guide ServiceFreeport, ME
    A young angler proudly displays a large striped bass while surrounded by family members on a fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Striped Bass
    Tammy R.
    Tammy R.
    We had a fantastic time! The captain was very knowledgeable and personable and made for a great evening of fishing. We were able to catch a ton of mackerel for bait. Although the stripers weren’t biting at first the captain kept us in the game until the bitter end and we were able to hook up to a nice keeper striper! Our favorite part was being able to actually fish on our own. (some charters only let you reel in once hooked up) Was a great time, weather was perfect and we came home with a striper! Would highly recommend!