Shark Fishing
Time of Departure: Time of departure can be arranged but we try to leave the dock as early as possible to get the most out of the day and experience the best fishing. It is recommended that you arrive at the dock 15-20 minutes prior to the arranged departure time.
Location of Departure: Boat departs from Royal River Boat Yard, off Bayview Street in Yarmouth, Maine. You can pull up to the top of the ramp for unloading, then will be instructed on where to park.
Licenses: Maine requires marine anglers to register with the Saltwater Registry. However, anglers aboard a charter/headboat are covered under the Captain’s license and are not required to register
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 several hours in the sun so bring plenty of sunscreen. You may also want a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We strongly recommend a good pair of polarized sunglasses to help in spotting fish and protecting your eyes. Waterproof footwear is not essential, but wear something you don't mind getting wet. Also avoid shoes with soft black soils that will mark the deck.
Refreshments: 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 and tackle.
The Trip: After leaving the dock we proceed directly to the shark grounds. The ride can take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on weather, sea conditions and where the fish are biting. The captain and mate will set all lines. Once the lines are out you will be instructed on their use. While waiting for a bite, you may also be able to fish for mackerel or groundfish.
The Catch: Passengers may catch and keep up to their legal limit of groundfish and mackerel. Federal regulations allow HMS-permitted vessels to keep certain sharks meeting minimum lengths. Passengers may, at the Captain’s discretion, keep one pelagic shark (per trip) that is of legal length and species except, all blue sharks are released. The crew will assist anglers in care and handling, but it is the angler’s ultimate responsibility to see that all edible, usable portions are properly cared for.
Weather and Seas Policy: In most cases we will be fishing on the open ocean, between 20 and 30 miles from shore. Weather and seas can be highly variable, even over the course of a single day so anglers should be pre-pared with proper clothing and personal health items like seasick medication and sunscreen. Once the boat leaves the dock, your charter has begun and you are responsible for payment in full. If at any time conditions are deemed unsafe, the Captain may, at his discretion, cancel or suspend any trip. In that case we will work with you on re-scheduling and/or arranging a partial refund in some cases.
Terms: A 30 percent deposit is required to confirm specific dates. Balance of payment for all days reserved, in cash or check is due prior to embarking. Any cancellations made by the party less than 14 days from the charter date will result in forfeiture of deposit. All trips are subject to cancellation due to weather/sea conditions. If the captain must cancel, a second date will be scheduled or deposit will be returned in full.
Tuna Fishing
Time of Departure: Time of departure can vary but we try to leave the dock prior to sunrise - between 5:30 and 6:00 am in the months of August and September. It is recommended that you arrive 15-20 minutes prior to that.
Location of Departure: Boat departs from Royal River Boat Yard, off Bayview Street in Yarmouth, Maine. You can pull up to the top of the ramp for unloading, then will be instructed on where to park.
Licenses: Maine requires marine anglers to register with the Saltwater Registry. However, anglers aboard a charter/headboat are covered under the Captain’s license and are not required to register
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 several hours in the sun so bring plenty of sunscreen. You may also want a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We strongly recommend a good pair of polarized sunglasses to help in spotting fish and protecting your eyes. Waterproof footwear is not essential, but wear something you don't mind getting wet. Also avoid shoes with soft black soils that will mark the deck.
Refreshments: 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 and tackle. You should also bring a
The Trip: After leaving the dock we typically stop along the way to catch live bait, then proceed to the tuna grounds. The ride can take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on weather and sea conditions and where the fish are biting. The captain and crew will set all tuna lines. Once the lines are out you will be instructed on their use. While waiting for a tuna bite, you may also fish for mackerel or groundfish.
The Catch: Passengers may catch and keep up to their legal limit of groundfish and mackerel. The Falcon IV holds a federal HMS Charter/Headboat permit with a commercial endorsement. This allows the vessel to fish for and retain any tunas allowed under a recreational HMS Angling permit or an Atlantic Tunas General category commercial permit. Any tuna caught and retained under the ATG commercial permit immediately become the sole property of the vessel and captain and will be retained by the vessel to be sold, with all revenue going to the vessel. If a tuna is caught under the recreational Angling permit, the anglers may elect to release or keep the fish. If possible, released fish will be tagged. If a tuna is retained under the recreational permit, the crew will assist anglers in care and handling, but it is the angler’s ultimate responsibility to see that all edible, usable portions are properly cared for.
Federal regulations also allow an HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessel to keep certain sharks meeting minimum lengths. Passengers may, at the Captain’s discretion, keep one pelagic shark (per trip) that is of legal length and species except, all blue sharks are released. The crew will assist anglers in care and handling, but it is the angler’s ultimate responsibility to see that all edible, usable portions are properly cared for.
Weather and Seas Policy: In most cases we will be fishing on the open ocean, between 20 and 30 miles from shore. Weather and seas can be highly variable, even over the course of a single day so anglers should be pre-pared with proper clothing and personal health items like seasick medication and sunscreen. Once the boat leaves the dock, your charter has begun and you are responsible for payment in full. If at any time conditions are deemed unsafe, the Captain may, at his discretion, cancel or suspend any trip. In that case we will work with you on re-scheduling and/or arranging a partial refund in some cases.
Terms: A 30 percent deposit is required to confirm specific dates. Balance of payment for all days reserved, in cash or check is due prior to embarking. Any cancellations made by the party less than 14 days from the charter date will result in forfeiture of deposit. All trips are subject to cancellation due to weather/sea conditions. If the captain must cancel, a second date will be scheduled or deposit will be returned in full.