Big Fish Charters
Capt. Tom DePersia has more than 30 years experience in tuna fishing and has won several local tuna tournaments. Most of the giant bluefin tuna caught on his charters average from 700 to 900 lbs.; the largest tuna caught was 1,050 lbs. The average school tuna caught on recent charters ranged from 50 to 250 lbs. DePersia takes anglers out to Stellwagen Bank and Cape Cod Bay from July through November. Each boat has six rod and reel setups, with live bait, so each person on the boat can fish at all times. Like other charter boats, any tuna larger than 73 inches belong to the boat (this is a Massachusetts state regulation.) However, the angler gets one-third of the money from the sale of the fish.
Big Fish Charters
Marshfield, MA
781-834-7504
bigfishcharters.com
Karen Lynn Charters
Captains Collin MacKenzie and Jim Ansara and crew grew up fishing the deep Atlantic Ocean waters, out of Gloucester, Massachusetts. They offer fishing trips out of Gloucester on their custom-built Lowell 43 charter boat, accommodating up to six people. School tuna fishing is done with light tackle and stand-up harnesses. Schools of small to medium size tuna, under 73 inches, are found feeding below the surface with the boat's sonar technology. The company also offers an overnight, two-day giant bluefin tuna charter.
Karen Lynn Charters
Cape Ann Marina
Gloucester, MA
617-622-7489
karenlynncharters.com
Mass Bay Guides
You'll leave the docks in Scituate, Massachusetts, for a 45-minute boat ride out to Shoals of Cape Cod or Stellwagen Bank, where school tuna feed. Anglers are provided rod and reels and live bait as they troll along the nutrient-rich feeding grounds. Half-day and full-day trips are offered. The charter company also offers deep-sea, giant bluefin tuna charter trips. The company operates a fleet of five boats, accommodating six anglers each. Daily trips are offered late-June through October.
Mass Bay Guides
Scituate, MA
781-545-6516
massbayguides.com
Article Written By Pamela Wright
Pamela Wright is a freelance writer, author of more than two dozen guidebooks, and hundreds of articles. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including "National Geographic Traveler," "Family Circle," "Family Fun," "Backpacker," "Hemispheres," "Cooking Light," "Yankee" and more. An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, she holds a Bachelor's from Michigan State University
