| Witnessing the sheer power and beauty of sharks | | | | species found off the coast of Maine, with many |
| first hand is a truly breathtaking experience which | | | | shortfin makos reaching 12 feet in length and |
| is hard to match. The adrenaline and excitement | | | | tipping the scales at over a thousand pounds. |
| that comes with landing a big shark attracts | | | | Threshers are also found off the coast of Maine, |
| thousands of anglers to Maine each year, all in | | | | and are again considered an excellent catch with |
| search of that trophy catch. Whether you are | | | | many weighing in at over 350 pounds. |
| looking to land your first blue, or have your eye | | | | The most popular time for shark fishing in Maine is |
| on something bigger, the waters off the coast of | | | | between July and October, though many guides |
| Maine have a lot to offer. | | | | and seasoned veterans consider August to |
| There are a number of shark species present in | | | | October as being the best period for big sharks. |
| Maine, with the most popular undoubtedly the blue | | | | In terms of equipment, harnessed rods with 30 |
| shark. With their distinctive dark blue top, light blue | | | | reels are favored by many experienced shark |
| sides and white underbelly, the blue shark is found | | | | anglers. Occasionally a 50 reel may be necessary |
| in relative abundance off the coast of Maine. The | | | | should a large porbeagle or mako bite. |
| majority of this species are around 6 to 8 feet in | | | | Chumming is the preferred method for attracting |
| length, weighing in at anywhere between 50 and | | | | sharks, with popular mixtures including ground up |
| 200 pounds. Larger blue sharks are found | | | | mackerel, herring, menhaden and other small |
| occasionally, with some growing up to 12 feet in | | | | baitfish. Creating a chum slick behind your boat |
| length and hitting the 400 pound mark. | | | | using a perforated bucket or similar contraption is |
| Porbeagle sharks are less common, and can be | | | | the most common method and is known to work |
| recognized by their dark blue-grey top and white | | | | well. Some boats also have a bait box with a tap |
| underbelly. They also have two caudal keels on | | | | open to the water behind the boat from which |
| their crescent-shaped tail fin, distinguishing them | | | | chum can be dispensed. Though it may take up to |
| from mako and white sharks. Porbeagle sharks | | | | an hour or two for sharks to locate your trail, |
| are known as strong swimmers, making them | | | | once they find the scent they more often than |
| more of a challenge than the smaller blue shark. | | | | not follow it all the way to the source. |
| Many of these species reach 10 feet in length and | | | | Shark fishing is possible in many regions off the |
| weigh in at an impressive 450 pounds. | | | | coast of Maine, though many organized trips |
| Another of Maine's highly prized shark species is | | | | focus on areas around 10-15 miles offshore in the |
| the mako. With a distinctive cobalt-blue top, white | | | | Gulf of Maine. Here there is a relative abundance |
| underbelly and streamlined body, the mako shark | | | | of blue shark, with the occasional mako, porbeagle |
| is known as a strong swimmer with a ferocious | | | | or thresher to make things more challenging for |
| fighting ability. They are also one of the largest | | | | the adventurous or experienced shark angler. |