So I have never really fished the ocean aside from catching squid on a pier. I live roughly 3 hours from the ocean on a good day (usually much worse with traffic) but I usually opt to fish at quieter lakes in lower populated areas -- there's something peaceful about those spots. But that said I have been thinking about getting a charter boat or two, if not this year then next year simply because I'm buying kayaks for myself and the kids and it may be hard on the wallet.

 

So what I'm trying to figure out is which charter boat I should use and what species I should target. Up here the boats typically target stripers which also have a chance for bluefish, fluke, blackfish, sea bass or porgy, tuna, sharks or cod and haddock. I was thinking of trying for cod and haddock (south of the cape where we can keep cod) because they're good eating fish, but so are tuna and I hear stripers are fun (and a coworker loves bluefish too although I never tried striped bass or bluefish).

 

I also have friends who would go if I get a private charter as well, so we could fill our 6 person quota easily

 

If anyone has any recommendations, that would be appreciated.

 

You live in a great area for salt water fishing. Every year I charter a boat out of south NH. We go for haddock, pullock and other fish. Eastman's fishing costs around 1200 for a boat that takes 6 people for 12 hrs. The worst trip we had with them, was 143 fish. If you can afford it I would book a charter and not a head boat. The other option you have is fisharkadventures. It is a large group that a person will book a charter and then post open spots to be filled. I have done this and the people are great. I was in Boston (with the wife for business) and jumped on on of these charters. I explained my situation to the gentleman and he offered to lend me on of his rods. Had a great time, even though it was April and I froze my a$$ off?

4 hours ago, Mjmj said:

If you can afford it I would book a charter and not a head boat. The other option you have is fisharkadventures. It is a large group that a person will book a charter and then post open spots to be filled.

Oh that's cool, but like I said I will have no problem filling a private charter with a group of friends as well. If I do for haddock though, I'm going to go south of the cape so I can keep cod too

2 hours ago, Boomstick said:

I'm going to go south of the cape so I can keep cod too

I started going up for COD. Then they closed the cod season. It really didn't matter we still would catch alot of cod (just had to throw them back) I would rather eat haddock or Pollock anyway. These fish are a little firmer after cooking. The amount I fish we catch vs my friend that fishes south of the ledge are alot. I'm not sure if you will catch cusk down there (my buddy hasn't), but that is one of my favorite fish to eat. They have a little bit of a sweet flavor.  They are UGLY looking though. It's a 6hr drive for me, but well worth it. Do your research,  read fishing reports from the charters website,  if the website only posts about their good days, be sceptical.  When I  charter a boat that is one of the first things I look for.

Oh yeah. If you ever get a chance to go out to the Fipps, JUMP on it. ABSOLUTELY the best saltwater fishing trip of my life!

Thanks! We actually usually prefer cod to haddock most of the time, but haddock is good too hence why I was thinking of going south of the cape.