Shark fishing charter scores big

Our first blue shark catch from aboard the Kristin K.  It was amazing how this huge creature allowed us to pet him as he lay alongside the boat.  

With only a few weeks remaining before school starts, take your family on a shark fishing charter. We hit the high seas outside Casco Bay, Maine this week with Kristin K Sport Fishing and enjoyed an adventure to remember.

• View an intense photo recap of our shark fishing charter

The day began in a thick fog with rolling swells encompassing the boat. Stopping about 15 miles from the harbor for live shark bait, the rhythmic up and down motion toyed with my senses. With nothing but some baby cod fish on our lines and undulating seas turning us a bit green, we ventured further offshore.

The forecast promised sunshine would cut through the hazy muck. The seas were expected to calm significantly accompanied by very light winds. USCG Capt. Ben Gardner consulted the weather prediction the night before and as promised, the skies cleared, the water calmed and we were ready to focus on tempting sharks toward the Kristin K. 
 

Reeling in the big catch!

Capt. Gardner threw enough chum in the water to invite many sharks from afar, but our first two hours were uneventful. Still we enjoyed the peaceful waters, occasional birds and the view of distant vessels passing by. Great excitement struck suddenly when Capt. Gardner was first to spot a dorsal fin approaching our boat. “Shark, shark, shark,” he exclaimed with such enthusiasm! It was as if he’d never seen one before, despite his 20+ years of experience.

With incredible haste Capt. Gardner worked to entice the shark to stay close by, tossing bits of smelly bait in the water and vigorously shaking the chum bucket to loosen chopped fish particles.

My 14 year old son strapped on a supportive guard to rest the fishing pole against as soon as the shark took our line. Capt. Gardner guided the catch by instructing him to let the shark swim away with the line and reel back when the gigantic fish tired. After about a ½ hour of patient reeling, our first blue shark lay alongside the Kristin K, calmly allowing us to stroke his flippers and back. Capt. Gardner estimated this shark to weigh 175 pounds.

Before long Capt. Gardner cut the line to free our visitor and informed us that the hook would rust and fall out of the shark’s mouth in just a few days. We had no intention of keeping this impressive blue shark, but observed him in awe for a few special moments.
 

Leaning over the side of the Kristin K, we greet this blue shark, hand to sandpapery fin.

Where there is one shark there are bound to be others. We soon found ourselves surrounded by a small school, encircling the boat. Fins and tails seemed to be everywhere. My husband was next to land a razor toothed fish. This shark put up quite a fight and created extra challenge by dragging the line under the boat. We were kept quite busy for some time, landing 5 sharks in all. My 11 year old son set a new record as the youngest to catch a shark aboard the Kristin K.

The trip would not be complete without some fish to take home for dinner. Having fulfilled our shark endeavor, we were ready for ground fishing. Capt. Gardner moved the Kristin K to a new location in search of haddock and similar fish. We ended up with a pollock, a haddock and a redfish (not edible). Our catches were filleted back at the dock upon our return. Dinner that evening was incredibly fresh!

There are numerous shark fishing charters available in southern Maine. Many of the captains know each other and will recommend another charter if they are already booked. Prices for offshore trips start around $600.00 and can easily double that for an extra long day, especially if you are interested in catching several challenging species. Inshore half day trips start around $375.00. Though costly, this trip will certainly be a memorable and special event to look back on.

When planning your trip, look for a day with calm waters and sunshine. To prevent motion sickness many charter captains recommend taking Bonnie or Dramamine the night before and again 1 hour before departure. Pack plenty to eat and drink. Bring extra layers of clothing for varied weather conditions throughout the day. Finally, a camera is a must! Our shark fishing charter was adventurous, fun and educational.