Taking one of the many fishing charters out of Nantucket is an experience not to be missed. Across Nantucket Sound to Martha’s Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands, over Wasque Shoals, and down to the Northeast Canyons, the abundance of sea life is legendary. With opportunities to catch bluefish, tuna, striped bass (stripers), black sea bass, scup, cod, false albacore, bonito, even
shark and white marlin, just to name a few, Nantucket is a fisherman’s paradise. Several locals offer charter services and are willing and ready to take you out for a day on the open ocean while providing you and your family a fantastic fishing experience.
Fishing Charters For a Day, or Overnight Offshore Trips
Charters are available for individuals, small groups, and large groups, for as little as a few hours to half-day and full-day trips or overnight offshore trips. Whether you are after a trophy or want to spend quality time on the water with your family, every trip is an action-packed adventure. The fertile fishing grounds surrounding Nantucket are full of surprises – there is always a chance of seeing seals, whales, ocean birds, colorful sunfish, and sharks. There’s a Nantucket fishing adventure perfect for everyone, whether you’re new to deep sea fishing or a seasoned angler seeking your next trophy catch.
10 of the Best Fishing Charters out of Nantucket
Nantucket Fishing currently takes groups of up to 3 guests out on “Lily,” a 23’ Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman with Garmin GPS, fish finder and radar, a 25 gallon live well for bait, built in cooler, and an I-Pod doc with speakers. Primary targets are striped bass and bluefish through the summer months, bonito later in the 
summer, and false albacore in late summer.Nantucket Fishing offers 4 and 6 hour charters which include tackle, ice, water, and sunscreen, plus cleaning and bagging your catch.
Topspin Fishing offers inshore and offshore sport fishing trips for striped bass, fluke, black sea bass, bonito, false albacore, bluefish, and more. The 32’ foot Judge boat, “Topspin,” accommodates up to 6 passengers with a comfortable cabin, full-service head, and all the gear you need. Topspin’s 2 1/2 -hour trip is grate for catching bluefish off Great Point. 5- and 8-hour trips target mainly striped bass, sea bass, and fluke. Full day 10 to 12-hour trips accept up to 4 guests out after giant bluefin tuna and shark, as well as offering an opportunity to see whales, ocean birds and other wildlife.
West Wind Fish specializes in hands-on striped bass, bluefish, sea bass and fluke fishing aboard “West Wind,” a 26’ Fortier that is very comfortable, accommodates up to 4 people, and equipped with top-of-the-line electronics.The captain has more than 45 years of experience fishing the area, makes custom gear and knows how to find the fish consistently. West Wind departs from Children’s Beach for regular 5 ½-hour fishing adventures around Nantucket. All tackle, gear and bait are provided plus ice and bottled water, and custom cruises are also available.
Captain Tom’s Charters provides exciting and affordable fishing featuring light tackle fishing trips, family trips, Nantucket flat fishing, offshore fishing, bottom fishing, fly fishing, fishing charters, and more. With two custom-made, thirty-foot Crosby Hawks that can take up to 6 guests out at a time and two smaller boats for up to 2 or 4 anglers, Captain Tom’s offers options you can’t get elsewhere. 3 to 4-hour trips on the big boats or the smaller boats go after striped bass, bluefish, bonito, false albacore, fluke, and sea bass. 6 to 8-hour offshore trips on the larger boats go after tuna and shark. Night fishing and larger group trips using multiple boats are also available.
Monomoy Charters runs Nantucket fishing charters on a 40’ custom Sportfish with a roomy cabin, spacious deck, plenty of seating, full head, and top of the line electronics. The captain is a local with over 25 years of fishing experience around Nantucket as well as Florida and Central America. Monomoy charters offers 2 ½-hour trips targeting bluefish or bottom fish, a 3-hour family trip going after bluefish and bottom fish, a 3 ½-hour trip for bluefish, fluke, black sea bass, scup, or sand sharks, and 5 or 6-hour trips for going all of those plus striped bass. Base charter rates are for groups of up to 6 people, but the boat can accommodate as many as 21 passengers, making it ideal for larger groups, corporate events, and special celebrations.
Althea K Sportfishing uses a 35’ Bruno & Stillman sport fishing boat with a roomy flybridge for fantastic ocean views, a spacious cabin protected from the elements, cushioned seating with plenty of storage, a large cooler for your food and beverages, and a full-service head for your convenience.The 3-hour trip is ideal for families or novice anglers. The route usually takes you around Coskata Coatue and Great Point and you’ll be fishing for bluefish, striped bass, fluke, and black sea bass. The 5-hour trip allows for time at more locations, going further offshore or around the east side of the island fishing for the same species plus bonito and false albacore in the late summer and fall.The full day trip goes offshore after a wider variety and bigger fish including giant bluefin tuna, sharks, cod, and mahi mahi. Beginners and pros are welcome, and the captain is willing to customize trips to meet your interests.
Absolute Sport Fishing has a 40’ Key West charter boat that takes groups of up to 28 people out on fishing trips and harbor cruises. The boat has a roomy cabin with room to relax, a full service head, four fighting chairs on deck, 2 1/2-hour trips target mainly bluefish but may catch striped bass as well, 5-hour trips are aimed at catching trophy striper but also have opportunities for fluke, sea bass, sand sharks and larger bluefish, and 8-hour trips are geared for going after big tuna or blue, thresher and mako sharks.Other targets include cod, dogfish, false albacore, bonito, and scup. Evening harbor cruises are a great way to enjoy special events like fireworks on the 4th of July, and catered parties are welcome.
Albacore Charters uses a 35’ custom Sport Fisherman built by Cape Island Boats. With a spacious cabin, two large cooler seats on the deck, and three fighting chairs for inshore trips or just the large center fighting chair for offshore trips and 
fighting big tuna or sharks.There are also state-of-the-art electronics onboard plus a blue tooth stereo. Albacore’s 2 ½-hour trip is designed for kids and beginner anglers targeting primarily bluefish. The 5-hour trip goes after striped bass, bluefish, black sea bass or fluke. The 8-hour trip offers opportunities to fish for striped bass and go bottom fishing for fluke and sea bass and the 9-hour trip focuses on fluke.A 10-hour full day inshore trip gives you a chance to try it all – fishing for striped bass, bluefish, black sea bass, fluke, bonito, and false albacore – and the full day offshore trip goes after giant bluefin tuna or mako, thresher and blue Sharks. Charters can have up to 6 people, all fishing equipment and bait are supplied, and your catch will be cleaned and packaged for you at the end of the trip. For details, booking, and more information, visit Albacore Charters online or call (508) 228-5074.
Shearwater Excursions offers special Nantucket fishing trips for kids. This is a fun and safe way to introduce youngsters to ocean fishing. The 1 ½-hour private charter takes up to 11 passengers from the Children’s Beach Public Pier out around Nantucket Harbor.The boat is a 24’ Carolina Skiff with plenty of room to move around, and private charters can be extended by arrangement in advance. Shearwater also offers an oyster farm tour, a clamming adventure, a Nantucket Harbor eco tour, whalewatching tours, a cocktail cruise around the harbor and a sunset cruise that can’t be beat.Shearwater also uses a 47’ power catamaran for up to 49 passengers and a 26’ Classic Crosby Launch with a canopy top for up to 23 passengers for various cruises, private functions, and parties.
Sport Fishing on the Herbert T runs fishing charters of up to 6 passengers on 2 ½-hour trips fishing for striped bass and bluefish and 5-hour trips targeting mainly striped bass but also time to do some bottom fishing for fluke and sea bass. With per-person rates, you can join a mixed group charter and save money if you are fishing alone or with a small group. Of course, you can also arrange for a private charter. The boat is a Parker XL 2550 that’s big enough for a safe, comfortable ride yet small enough to go where larger boats cannot. Quality custom tackle, equipment and bait are provided for your trip, as well as fishing lessons and assistance as needed, and your catch will be cleaned and packaged for you at the end of the trip.
With all of the many different types of boat charters, sailing tours or eco-tourism excursions on Cape Cod and the islands, you are sure to find the adventure that is right for you.
