Reservations for the 2023 season began Saturday March 12th...
> All trips require a 50% deposit! Deposits can be made with credit card or personal check within 10 days of booking. If you need to cancel a reservation a full refund will be given provided, we are notified at least 10 days before the scheduled departure.
> If Captain Satch is forced to cancel your trip due to unsafe and dangerous weather conditions on the day of your trip you can request a full 100% deposit refund if we cannot accommodate your party on another date of your choice.
> If coming from away! You are encouraged to call 24 hours before your scheduled departure to check on the status of your trip. Especially for offshore trips if the weather is in question.
A Few Rules...
Please arrive at the dock 1/2 hour before your scheduled departure.
Rule # 1) There is absolutely no hard liquor or pot allowed. A few beers or a glass of wine is fine, but we ask that you always respect your fellow crew members and most of all have fun!
Rule # 2) All trips require a 50% deposit. We now accept Visa or Mastercard for last minute reservations. You are required to pay for the numbers of guests you signed up for. If you show up for your trip with a person or two less than you the number of guests you held open the boat for you, still have to pay for those spots.
Rule #3) If at the captain's discretion the boat has to return to port because of rough seas, refunds will be issued on a pro-rated basis.
Rule #4) Again I wish to stress that drinking in excess is seriously discouraged, you may bring and enjoy a few beers, but if anyone becomes intoxicated the trip will be canceled with no refund. The boat will not even leave the dock if anyone in the party is already soused upon arrival and there will be no refund.
Rule #5) Have Fun and respect your fellow guests!
Rule # 1) There is absolutely no hard liquor or pot allowed. A few beers or a glass of wine is fine, but we ask that you always respect your fellow crew members and most of all have fun!
Rule # 2) All trips require a 50% deposit. We now accept Visa or Mastercard for last minute reservations. You are required to pay for the numbers of guests you signed up for. If you show up for your trip with a person or two less than you the number of guests you held open the boat for you, still have to pay for those spots.
Rule #3) If at the captain's discretion the boat has to return to port because of rough seas, refunds will be issued on a pro-rated basis.
Rule #4) Again I wish to stress that drinking in excess is seriously discouraged, you may bring and enjoy a few beers, but if anyone becomes intoxicated the trip will be canceled with no refund. The boat will not even leave the dock if anyone in the party is already soused upon arrival and there will be no refund.
Rule #5) Have Fun and respect your fellow guests!
Can I talk to a real PERSON?
We pride ourselves at being family friendly and understanding of your needs, especially if you haven't fished with us before. Please call our office at (207) 703-3631 between 8am and 8 PM and one of our crew will be happy to assist you. You will not be pressured to make a reservation unless you wish to do so.
Do we need to Charter the whole BOAT?
Absolutely not. I believe we are one of the only boats in Wells Harbor that offers open boat trips. While you are encouraged to charter the whole boat for your party, to keep things affordable for working families many of our four-hour inshore trips are made up of a couple of different families. Most of our 10-hour offshore trips are by charters only. Except of Fisherman's Friday's, we still offer a 10 hour open boat trip made up of six individual guests.
How do I make a reservation?
The only way to ensure a reservation is to call our reservation lines at (207) 703-3631 or (207) 475-4676 between 8am and 8pm. If lines are busy during the high season, you should text Captain Satch @ (207) 475-4676 and he'll get back to you as soon as the boat reaches the dock that evening.
What should we wear on the trip?
Inshore... On our 2 and 4-hour half day trips we suggest that you bring a sweatshirt or light jacket. It's almost always a bit cooler on the water. Sneakers or non-skid footwear will suffice. Don't forget your sunglasses and baseball cap.
Offshore...You should bring a sweatshirt with a wind breaker or waterproof jacket. On rougher days the deck can get quite wet. Many guests bring rubber boots or a change of sneakers for the ride home. A winter hat and gloves are recommended for early spring and late fall trips.
Offshore...You should bring a sweatshirt with a wind breaker or waterproof jacket. On rougher days the deck can get quite wet. Many guests bring rubber boots or a change of sneakers for the ride home. A winter hat and gloves are recommended for early spring and late fall trips.
How do we pay for the trip?
A 50% deposit is required to make a reservation. You can pre-pay the cost of the trip 100% on visa or master card through our office at the time the reservation is made. The 50% balance is paid to the captain on the boat the day of the trip, only cash or personal checks are accepted on the boats.
Do we need a fishing LICENSE?
Absolutely not. We spend a lot of effort every season doing all the paperwork required to meet all your federal and state licensing requirements. As licensed Maine guides and USCG captains we follow all state and federal fishing regulations to the letter of the law. We ask that you kindly respect our knowledge in this area and understand that some fish are too small to keep and in fact some fish are too large to keep.
What about children ?
Children of all ages are welcome. It is a real thrill for us to help a child catch the largest fish of their lives. However, it is important that you plan the length and type of trip to meet your child's abilities. We want their first experience to be a good one so that they will love boats and fishing for the rest of their lives.
Recommended guidelines...Our two hour family trip is recommended as a starter for kids 3 to 5 years of age. Our four hour inshore trips are well suited for kids 6 and up. Most children should be at least ten or eleven years of age to put up with the rigors of a 10 hour offshore trip aboard the India Marie. Children 10 and under are required by federal law to wear life jackets at all times.
Recommended guidelines...Our two hour family trip is recommended as a starter for kids 3 to 5 years of age. Our four hour inshore trips are well suited for kids 6 and up. Most children should be at least ten or eleven years of age to put up with the rigors of a 10 hour offshore trip aboard the India Marie. Children 10 and under are required by federal law to wear life jackets at all times.
Do we go in the rain? What about rough days?
Summer showers and periods of rain and fog are common on the Maine Coast. We are one of the only charter boats in Wells Harbor that has an enclosed cabin that serves to keep you warm and dry during rain showers. On inshore trips you should consider bringing a light slicker set on overcast days. My philosophy concerning rough weather is that a little rain or wind won't deter us, but we are going on the water to have fun. If our guests are going to be miserable, then we should wait for a better day. As your captain I reserve the right to cancel any trip when I feel the seas conditions are too rough to ensure your safety. I keep myself well posted and very aware of sea conditions during the summer season. Both inshore and offshore forecasts are posted on the website so you can also be aware of sea conditions.
What do we do with our fish?
We encourage the release of fish. We also keep many fish for your table. You may also keep any fish you catch as long as it meets state and federal guidelines. Most of the species we catch provide very good table fare. The captain and mate both work diligently to get you out of tangles and process your fish as quickly as possible, it is highly recommended that your fish be filleted as soon as they are ready, then bagged with your name and kept in our large coolers until we reach the dock and departure. I enjoy taking pictures of your largest fish and sometimes request that you take a minute away from fishing so I can get you the best shot.
Do we need our own COOLERS?
No need to..Large and empty coolers should be left in your vehicles. They will be in the way when fighting the big one and working the deck. We keep your fish carefully marked and in our large coolers. You can transfer your fillets when we get dockside. Small coolers that fit under our bench seats are ideal for packing your lunch and personal belongings. You should try to limit your cooler space to one per family. Additional soft bags and clothing can be stored down below in the cabin.
Can I bring my own pole and gear?
Sure, it's your special day on the water. Many anglers have their own special gear. You do not need your own gear. We fish these waters every day, and we pride ourselves offering you quality poles and jigs that are specifically suited for the type of fish we are targeting. Most folks are quite satisfied using our gear because the action, line test, leaders, and jigs are so well balanced to the nature of the fish we catch.
What about smoking on board?
I personally don't mind if guests smoke on board. In fact, I've been known to have a cigar once in a while. I do expect that you respect the right of others on board. Please refrain from smoking in the cabin house when requested. I've only had one serious conflict over smoking in over 25 years. My ruling was that in that instance folks should only smoke on deck when the boat was moving between spots.
Even though recreational smoking of pot is allowed in Maine. Carrying or smoking pot on board is strickly not allowed because we our operating in federal waters. Federal laws and regulations apply. We are often boarded by the US coast guard, and they have the absolute right to check your belongings offshore.
Even though recreational smoking of pot is allowed in Maine. Carrying or smoking pot on board is strickly not allowed because we our operating in federal waters. Federal laws and regulations apply. We are often boarded by the US coast guard, and they have the absolute right to check your belongings offshore.
What about cell phones?
Of course, you may bring your cell phones, but I'd hope you'd teach your children that this is a special day to experience and learn about nature. I feel that they should be watching the whales, seals and sea life while enjoying this special day in the beautiful Gulf of Maine. My cabin is a text free zone for children, no playing video games when they are in my cabin. For safety reasons, please refrain from talking on your phone while the captain is giving his introductory safety speech to all passengers. Coverage does. not extend pass 8 miles from shore, so plan on no coverage most of the day on our 10-hour offshore trips.
Who did you vote for?
Just like the Elks Club our boats are a political free zone. We have many, many wonderful friends and guests who are all great patriots yet hold very different political views. All are good people who just have different world views based on their personal beliefs. Please leave the politics ashore and enjoy a day fishing with your new friends and our super crew, who by the way also look at the world from different perspectives.