Atlantic bluefin fishing out of Boothbay Harbor means a run of 15 to 40 miles offshore to named ledges and banks, with peak months July through October. School-size Atlantic bluefin tuna come from much closer in. This guide covers the grounds, the methods local boats use, and who works this water.
When bluefin are off Boothbay Harbor
Season sets the plan before anything else. Peak months run July through October, and the port’s tournament falls inside that window.
Peak months
Reel Addiction lists July through October as peak bluefin months out of Boothbay Harbor. Sweet Action lists giant bluefin on its offshore trips. Plan around the Reel Addiction window, and expect the wider run of bluefin across the Atlantic Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide) to shape how fish show up beyond this port.
Tournament window
The Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge runs late August into early September, inside the July through October peak.
| Window | Period |
|---|---|
| Peak months (Reel Addiction) | July through October |
| Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge | Late August into early September |
Where boats run and the grounds that hold fish
Boats out of Boothbay Harbor run 15 to 40 miles offshore for bluefin, per Sweet Action’s offshore trips and Reel Addiction. Fishing goes from near to far: school-size fish sit inside 15 miles, while giants are a longer run.
| Ground | Position |
|---|---|
| The Kettle | 10 miles south of Seguin Island |
| Sagadahoc Ledges | Several miles past the Kettle |
| Plattes Bank (Platt’s Bank) | Listed as a productive tuna and shark spot |
The Kettle, the Sagadahoc Ledges and Plattes Bank show up as structure on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
School fish inshore
Saltwater Maine (Shark Six) works school bluefin from 1 to 2 miles out to about 15 miles, a short run compared with the 15 to 40 miles boats cover for giants.
The Kettle
The Kettle sits 10 miles south of Seguin Island. New England Boating’s Boothbay guide names it, along with the other grounds below.
Sagadahoc Ledges
The Sagadahoc Ledges lie several miles farther out than the Kettle, the next step offshore.
Plattes Bank
Plattes Bank, also written Platt’s Bank, is listed as a productive tuna and shark spot. It is a separate offshore stop from the Kettle and the ledges.
How bluefin are fished out of Boothbay Harbor
Local boats fish bluefin of 200 to 800 pounds two ways: trolling spreader rigs of plastic squid, or chumming with cut fish. New England Boating describes both methods. For rigging and tactics, see our tuna fishing guides.
| Method | Setup |
|---|---|
| Trolling | Spreader rigs of plastic squid |
| Chumming | Cut fish, with a live or dead mackerel, herring or whiting as hook bait |
Trolling spreader rigs
Boats troll spreader rigs of plastic squid for fish of 200 to 800 pounds. Trolling covers water while the boat moves.
Chumming and hook baits
Boats chum with cut fish and put a live or dead mackerel, herring or whiting on the hook, fished in the cut-fish slick.
Who fishes for bluefin out of Boothbay Harbor
Three local charters list Atlantic bluefin tuna, and the port runs its own tuna tournament.
Sweet Action Charters
Sweet Action Charters runs a 34′ Freeman that cruises around 33 knots, and a second boat called Papa Jon. It lists giant bluefin on its offshore trips.
Reel Addiction Sportfishing
Captain Jordan Caron (owner) and Captain Matt Bolster run bluefin trips, and Reel Addiction lists July through October as peak. Details are on Reel Addiction Sportfishing’s Boothbay site.
Saltwater Maine (Shark Six)
Capt. Barry Gibson runs Shark Six, which works school bluefin from 1 to 2 miles out to about 15 miles. Details are on the Saltwater Maine fishing page.
Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge
This is the port’s bluefin tournament, running late August into early September. Entry details and dates are on the tournament’s official site.
FAQ: Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Boothbay Harbor
When is peak bluefin season out of Boothbay Harbor?
July through October, per Reel Addiction. The Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge falls inside that window, running late August into early September.
How far do boats run from Boothbay Harbor for bluefin?
15 to 40 miles offshore, per Sweet Action and Reel Addiction. School bluefin show closer in, from 1 to 2 miles out to about 15 miles.
Where is the Kettle?
The Kettle sits 10 miles south of Seguin Island. The Sagadahoc Ledges lie several miles farther out, and Plattes Bank is another listed ground.
How close to shore do school bluefin show?
From 1 to 2 miles out to about 15 miles, the range Saltwater Maine (Shark Six) works for school bluefin.
What baits are used for bluefin out of Boothbay Harbor?
Live or dead mackerel, herring or whiting as hook bait in a cut-fish chum slick. Trolling uses spreader rigs of plastic squid.
When is the Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge?
It is usually in September, running late August into early September. Check the tournament’s official site for the schedule.
