Boat Trips and Fishing Charters in Boothbay

Balmy Days runs both fishing and sightseeing trips from 42 Commercial St. The mackerel fishing trips let you watch schools of fish from the boat and reel them in one after another, which has kids hooked immediately. If you'd rather cruise, the Monhegan Island route is popular: the captain narrates the trip, points out landmarks, and you might spot dolphins on the way.

The boat has clean bathrooms and serves basic coffee, tea, and soda. Bring layered clothing no matter the season, and pack your own drinks if you're heading to the island. One visitor praised the crew for professionalism and noted that trips arrive exactly on time.

Captain Bill and his first mate Indy operate out of Bailey Island (68 Garrison Cove Rd) and have a perfect 5-star rating. They specialize in striped bass and run 4-hour charters that pull in consistent catches. One family of four landed 19 stripers in a day, and the trip also included mackerel for bait, plus sightings of an eagle and porpoises.

Bill earned praise for stepping in last-minute when another charter had to cancel, showing the kind of flexibility that keeps people coming back. He knows these waters well and his boat runs with the kind of professionalism that appeals to both experienced anglers and folks new to fishing.

Captain Dan runs Sweet Action Charters from Commercial St and books both 4-hour inland trips for striped bass and last-minute offshore options. He's known for being responsive before you even get on the boat, and for picking up guests right at their lodging if you're staying nearby.

Dan gets anglers on fish fast and stays at it. One experienced offshore fisherman said this trip ranked at the top of charters he's booked across the US and Mexico. He's flexible with timing and trip length, and clearly works to make it easy for families to get out on the water.

Located at 80 Commercial St, Charger Sportfishing is run by Captain George and mate Josh, who focus on half-day private trips. The boat starts with a mackerel run to source bait, then hunts striped bass at multiple locations. One visitor who's chartered across the US and Mexico said this trip rates among the best.

George is patient, thorough, and doesn't give up easily. Even when the bite starts slow on an overcast morning, he'll move the boat and change tactics until the fish show up. He and Ali have built a reputation for being accommodating to groups with a wide age range.

Captain Ben and his son Jack run trips from Card Cove Dock in East Boothbay (191 Shore Rd) and have racked up perfect 5-star reviews. They're great with kids: an 8 and 11 year old caught so many fish they couldn't believe it. Longer trips have landed 50+ fish across multiple species, all released unharmed.

Ben grew up in Boothbay and brings local knowledge and genuine warmth to every outing. At 2.5 hours, a trip here is shorter than most charters but packs in plenty of action. The pricing is reasonable, which adds to the value.

Captain Jeff runs Fish Boothbay from 125 Atlantic Ave and has earned five stars from families. He keeps the trip fun and easy-going, moving the boat around until everyone finds a good fishing spot. One 9-year-old caught a huge striped bass and was absolutely beyond excited.

Jeff knows where to find both bait and the stripers that eat them. A group that landed one 35-inch striper praised his knowledge of the area and his ability to keep energy up throughout the trip. He's ideal if you have kids in the 9-13 range who want genuine success on the water.

Captain Jordan runs Reel Addiction from Pier 7 at 42 Commercial St, and he specializes in offshore tuna trips. If you've never done big-game fishing, Jordan handles all the details: his boat is clean and comfortable, and he's patient with newcomers while being intensely knowledgeable. One couple caught a tuna right at sunrise after he motored away from the crowd of boats.

Jordan is professional and runs a tight operation. One visitor who'd lived in midcoast Maine their whole life finally went tuna fishing thanks to him and said they're "hooked" (pun theirs). This is the charter to book if tuna is on your bucket list.

Captain Nick specializes in fly fishing and light tackle trips from 125 Atlantic Ave, working the Kennebec River and coastal waters. He'll adapt to your skill level and preferences, whether you want topwater lures, soft plastics, or true fly casting. Two kids aged 7 and 10 had a great day with him, and he tailored the entire trip to what his guests wanted.

Nick has spent a lifetime on Maine's coast and his knowledge runs deep. He works hard to position the boat for the best shots at stripers, timing drifts perfectly and keeping energy up with positive direction. Visitors consistently note that he stands out among the many guides they've fished with over the years.