Fishing with Sport-Ventures
Explore our various fishing packages and find out where we fish and when we fish. Then, book your tour today!
Methods can vary with season and species:
- Stripers - Early-season fishing is typically for smaller, schoolie-sized fish and consists of casting small soft baits and topwater lures on light spinning gear or casting large flies. For larger, keeper-sized fish we typically live-line mackerel or pogies.
- Mackerel - The most common methods include drifting or trolling diamond jigs or Sabiki rigs.
- Groundfish - Methods vary with season and target species but usually involve fishing clams on cod rigs or cod jigs just off the bottom.
- Sharks - Once on the shark grounds we set a good chum line and drift.
- Tuna - Tuna fishing consists of fishing live baits on anchor.
- Sharks (Mostly Blue Sharks) - Mid-July through September
We welcome anglers with all levels of experience. We’re eager to teach newcomers and always open to learning from veterans. We’re also open to different tactics. It’s your dime!
When We Fish
View the chart below to find out when the best fishing is for different species...
Where We Fish
Most trips leave out of the Royal River. Being conveniently located between Portland and Harpswell allows quick access to all of Casco Bay for inshore and nearshore trips, and near-by offshore waters for shark, tuna and groundfish. Special arrangements can be made in ad-vance to fish other locations including Saco Bay and the Kennebec River.
Basic Information
Time of Departure: Time of departure will vary according to the type of trip and we will be happy to try and arrange times that suit your schedule as much as possible.
Location of Departure: Boat typically departs from Royal River Boat Yard in Yarmouth, but arrangements can be made for pick-up elsewhere. Haraseeket River trips - Freeport Town Landing; Kennebec River trips - Bath Public Landing; Saco Bay - Pine Point, Scarborough; Saco River - Saco Public Landing on Routes 9/208.
Licenses: Maine now requires anglers to register with the Saltwater Registry. All anglers must be properly licensed.
Lodging: Lodging is not provided. We will be happy to provide you with a listing of local motels and campgrounds.
Transportation: We do not provide local transportation but will be happy to assist you in finding some if needed.
What to Bring:
Clothing: Be prepared for anything. Temperatures on the water can be ten degrees or more cooler than on the mainland, particularly in rain and fog. Always bring at least a light jacket or sweatshirt. You could be spending six hours in the sun so bring plenty of sunscreen. You may also want a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. A good pair of polarized sunglasses will help in spotting fish and protecting your eyes. Waterproof footwear is not essential, but wear something you don't mind getting wet. Passengers are responsible for their own food, beverage, cooler and ice. You may also want to bring an extra cooler if you want to keep your catch.
Other Equipment: We will supply all the necessary bait & tackle unless you are fly fishing. However, you are welcome to bring your own. If you have a rod & reel combo you're comfortable with, or a favorite lure, bring them. We are currently not equipped with extra fly-fishing tackle, but will take fly-fishing-only charters or combo trips, provided you bring your own tackle. You should also bring a camera.
The Trip: There is no such thing as an average trip. Each charter is specifically customized to suit the particular wishes of the client, and modified according to fishing/sea/weather conditions on any given day. Let us know what you want, and we will try to arrange a trip for you.