A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing off the Coast of Maine

Posted August 10, 2023 by Morning Flight Charters

If you’re ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of fishing off the gorgeous coast of Maine for the first time, you’re in for a great time. It’s a trip worth taking whether you’re a veteran angler or a fresh-faced beginner. And if you’re the latter, it’s important that you know a few things before your trip:

Getting Started: Gearing Up

First things first, you’ll need the right fishing gear. Rods, reels, lines are just a few of the essentials. If you’re just dipping your toes into the angling waters, don’t feel overwhelmed by the choices. A medium weight spinning rod and reel combo is a good place to start. They’re versatile and easy to handle.

Know Your Fishing Spots

Maine’s coastline offers a plethora of fishing opportunities, from shore fishing at picturesque beaches to hopping on a charter boat for some offshore action. If you’re set on catching appealing species like striper fish, bluefish, or even sharks, a fishing charter might be your best bet. These trips usually provide all the gear and knowledge you need for a successful day on the water.

Understanding Tides and Seasons

Tides are a big deal in Maine. Fish tend to be more active during tide changes, so planning your fishing trip around these shifts could up your chances of a successful catch. Also, different seasons bring different fish. Spring and summer are prime time for striper fish and bluefish, while fall sees the arrival of mackerel and other species.

Mastering Basic Techniques

Casting and reeling might seem straightforward, but there’s a bit more finesse to it. Practice your casting accuracy in open areas before you hit the water. And when reeling, remember to keep your rod tip up to maintain tension on the line – this helps you feel the bite and hook the fish better.

Patience, Patience, Patience

The golden rule of fishing is to always be patient. Sometimes, the fish just aren’t biting. Enjoy the tranquility of the ocean, the salt-kissed breeze, and the anticipation of that thrilling tug on your line.

If you’re ready to take your fishing adventure to the next level, consider joining a fishing charter with Morning Flight Charters. Our experienced guides know Maine’s waters like the back of their hands and can take you to the best spots for an unforgettable fishing experience. Give us a call 207-831-2426 to start your rod-to-plate journey today!

How to Take a Striper from Rod to Plate

Posted June 8, 2023 by Morning Flight Charters

Striper fish, commonly found on the East Coast of the United States, are one of the best eating fish out there. But there are a lot of steps between reeling one of them in and enjoying a mouthwatering meal. If you’re looking to take your catch from rod to plate, here’s what you should do:

Handle the Catch with Care

Once you’ve landed a striper, it’s crucial to handle it properly to maintain its freshness and flavor. Begin by wetting your hands before touching the fish. This helps prevent removing the fish’s protective slime layer. Handle the striper gently to avoid any unnecessary stress or harm.

Bleed and Chill

For the best results, it’s recommended to bleed the striper immediately after catching it. You can do this by cutting the fish’s gills, allowing the blood to flow out. Next, place the striper on ice or in a cooler with ice packs to preserve its freshness. Chilling the fish quickly helps maintain its texture and flavor.

Prepare for the Culinary Adventure

When you’re ready to prepare your striper for cooking, start by filleting the fish. You can use a sharp fillet knife to carefully remove the skin and bones. If you’re new to filleting, there are plenty of online tutorials available that can guide you through the process.

Once you have your fillets, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen. There are countless ways to prepare striper, from classic recipes like grilled striper with herbs and lemon to more adventurous options like pan-seared striper with a tangy sauce. It’s wise to know before you go fishing how you want to prepare it, so you’ll be prepared with all the right ingredients.

Of course, this whole process starts with actually catching a striper fish. Here at Morning Flight Charters, we’ll help you do exactly that while also showing you the beauty of the Maine coastline. With our expert guides and top-notch equipment, we’ll make sure your striper fishing trip is an experience to remember. Give us a call 207-831-2426 to start your rod-to-plate journey today!

Tips For Successful Spring Fishing

Posted April 5, 2023 by Morning Flight Charters

Now that we’re officially clear of the winter, it’s time to get back out on the water and get fishing. The first outing after the long and unforgiving winter here in the Northeast is always a good time.

But just because we’re clear of the actual winter season doesn’t mean we’re quite to the warmth and sunshine of summer yet. Fishing in the spring comes with its own unique set of challenges, especially in the early days of the season. With that in mind, here are some tips for a successful first outing of the spring:

Be Cognizant of the Forecast

Spring weather is not only inconsistent, but it can also change in an instant. While any veteran angler knows to check the weather forecast before heading out, it’s not enough to just take a quick look at the daily prognostication the night before. Be sure to check the morning of going and look at the hour-by-hour forecast. The temperature can shift rapidly over the course of an afternoon, so you want to have the right clothes for your outing.

Use Live Bait

Some anglers always use live bait, while others prefer an artificial lure. For those that can go either way, live bait is a good idea in the spring, particularly in the early part of the season. Fish are going to be excited for a good meal after a long winter, making them more likely to bite.

Feel Free to Sleep In

Most of the fishing here in the Northeaster United States is done in the summer. During those months, it’s best to get out as early as possible. This is not the case in spring, where afternoon is actually the ideal time to get started. The water still needs some time to warm up this early in the year. The increase in temperature around noon will coincide with a more active feeding environment.

If you’re looking for a fun and fruitful fishing outing this spring, try Morning Flight Charters in Maine. We have a number of fishing packages for you to choose from, including family fishing, deep sea fishing, and shark fishing. Call 207-831-2426 today to learn more about our packages!

Why It’s Time to Take that Fishing Trip in 2023

Posted February 7, 2023 by Morning Flight Charters

Every angler dreams of going on the perfect fishing trip. Those who have been lucky enough to take a trip can’t wait for the next one while those who haven’t had the pleasure wait in anticipation for their first one.

Whether you’ve been on a fishing trip yet or not, 2023 is the perfect year to take your first one or your next one. Here are a few reasons why:

Stress Relief

Most people who choose fishing as a hobby will tell you that it’s a great way to relax and relieve stress. Even a few hours out on the water is enough to help you unwind – imagine what a few days or a week could do. This is especially important in recent years, which have made life more stressful and hectic than normal, while COVID-19 made it more difficult to travel. If you haven’t gotten the chance to get away yet, 2023 is the year to do so.

A New Experience

If you’re like most anglers, you have one or a handful of bodies of water near your home that you frequent. Over time, you can learn a lot about the species of fish that live in those lakes and rivers and their patterns and behaviors. Taking a fishing trip will get you out of your comfort zone and provide a new challenge. You’ll have a new lake or river, perhaps stocked with species that you’ve never fished before. It’s both an opportunity to improve at the craft and an enriching new experience.

Bonding Experience

A trip is only as good as the company you bring. Spending a long weekend or a full week doing nothing but fishing with a friend or family member can help create a stronger bond. You’ll also create lifelong memories out on the water that you’ll cherish for years to come.

If you’re looking for a fun fishing adventure in a new locale, try Morning Flight Charters in Maine. We have a number of fishing packages for you to choose from, including family fishing, deep sea fishing, and shark fishing. Call 207-831-2426 today to learn more about our packages!

The Benefits of Fishing with Your Kids

Posted October 25, 2022 by Morning Flight Charters

If you’re a longtime angler and also a parent, you’ve probably dreamed of taking your kids out on the water since just about the time they were born. Of course, it’s hard to know when the time is right to bring them out for their first trip. Obviously, you can’t start too young as they just won’t be ready. But you don’t want to wait too long either and waste precious time that could’ve been spent learning.

While it might be appealing to wait until your kids are teenagers or older to bring them out for a fishing expedition, there’s actually a few benefits to bringing them a little bit earlier than that. Here are a few of them:

Quality Time Spent Together

The responsibilities of modern life can make it so hard for parents and children to spend quality time together. School, work, professional obligations, business trips, and activities for the kids take up so much of our lives. And even the time that is spent together can be littered with distractions. A fishing trip will ensure that you and your children will be able to bond and enjoy each other’s company, even if just for a few hours.

It Teaches Them Valuable Skills

Fishing is a good skill to learn as a young person because its applications go beyond just the sport itself. First, it teaches you patience. You can do everything right and be as prepared as possible, but you might not see any action right away. You have to stay patient and focused on the task at hand, which is valuable lesson to learn. Plus, some of the fishing skills young will ensure they’re quality anglers by the time they’re in their teen years.

Spend Time Outdoors

Children spend so much of modern life indoors. There’s nothing wrong with playing video games, browsing the internet, and streaming movies and TV. But it’s good to get away from all of that from time to time and get outside. A fishing trip will allow them to get away from their phones and other devices for at least a few hours and enjoy some peaceful time out on the water.

If you’re looking to take a family fishing trip, Morning Flight Charters in Maine is the place to go. We have three-hour family fishing trip packages available at a reasonable cost. Give us a call at 207-831-2426 for more information on our packages today!

Tips for Fishing in the Fall

Posted September 28, 2022 by Morning Flight Charters

Now that we’re in the midst of autumn, the temperatures have begun to cool, and most people are spending less time out on the water. But that doesn’t mean fishing is done for the year. In fact, there is still a lot of good fishing left to do this season.

But preparing to fish for the fall is different than other seasons. With the cooler temperatures, there are additional considerations to be made. And that goes beyond just dressing warmer. Here are a few tips for fishing in the fall:

Pick the Right Time

On the hottest summer days, it’s prudent to get out on the water as early as possible before it gets too hot and fish are less willing to swim to the surface. The advice is essentially the opposite in the autumn. Around noon, the sun starts to really heat up the cool water closest to the surface, making fish more comfortable to swim up there. Of course, this makes them easier to catch as well. If you’re planning a fall fishing outing, aim for the late afternoon and try to pick a day that isn’t too cold, if at all possible.

Use More Bait

As the temperatures get colder, fish aren’t likely to expend more energy swimming up to eat just a small amount of bait. Increasing the size of your offering incentivizes the fish to come up to get the bait. They’re far more likely to use the energy if they full they’ll be getting a full meal out of it.

Consider Depth

As stated above, fish will react to the changes in temperature. Many of them will avoid the surface and the cold temperature while others will just search for favorable conditions. You may find a lot of fish in areas where there is easy access to both shallow and deep water, such as channel edges.

If you’re going on fall fishing trip this year, there are few places in the country that have the natural beauty of Maine. And if you’re looking to go fishing up here, look no further than Morning Flight Charters. We have a number of fishing packages for you to choose from. Call 207-831-2426 today to learn more about our packages!

Advantages of Using a Lighter Fishing Rod

Posted August 24, 2022 by Morning Flight Charters

When you’re in a fishing slump or rut, sometimes a change of equipment is necessary in order to help you get back on the right track. For example, maybe the rod you’re using isn’t the right one for you. If you’re using too heavy of a rod, it could be weighing you down.

Using a lighter fishing rod comes offers a few advantages that could lead to you having more successful outings. Here are just a few of the reasons:

Accuracy

Perhaps the most important benefit of using a lightweight rod is the improved accuracy you’ll see without having to sacrifice casting distance. Your new rod will be able to cast just as far as your older, heavier one, but it will be significantly more valuable with shorter casts. Unlike you heavier rod and line, it won’t have trouble with shallower rivers where the current isn’t swift. Instead, you can use a lighter line to settle directly on the water in exactly the spot you desire.

Variety of Fish

Using a light rod and line means you’ll also be able to use lighter bait, lures and jigs. These will enhance your ability to catch smaller fish in addition to the large ones. Additionally, they’ll allow you to do well in both shallow waters near the shore or in any other body of water. Large fish have been known to bite on lighter lures, which will give you the fun opportunity to reel one in on a lighter rod, an experience many anglers enjoy.

Easier on You

A lighter rod means lighter parts and a lighter line, necessarily making it easy to transport. Depending on what kind of fishing you’re doing, you could be carrying that rod for a good distance. Any energy you expend hauling a heavy rod is energy you cannot use for fishing. In certain situations, a lighter rod will make for an easier day.

But regardless of what kind of rod you use, it’s always nice to get away for a fishing trip. If you’re looking to head up Northeast before the weather gets too cold, check out Morning Flight Charters in Maine. We offer a variety of fishing charter packages for families, individuals and groups. Call 207-831-2426 today to learn more about our packages!

Why You Should Give Deep Sea Fishing a Try

Posted July 26, 2022 by Morning Flight Charters

Fishing is a relaxing recreational activity that nonetheless requires a fair amount of skill, experience and discipline. It also comes if many different forms from fly fishing to ice fishing in bodies of water as small as backyard ponds and as large as an ocean. So, if you’ve spent your life fishing close to the shore or in shallow water, perhaps it’s time to expand your horizons

Deep sea fishing takes place far away from the shore where the water is roughly 100 feet deep or more. It offers quite a different experience than any other style of fishing you’re used to. Here are some reasons to give it a shot:

The Remote Nature of It

The shore of most major bodies of water tends to be pretty crowded. People swim and hang out at the beach in addition to all the other fishers competing for a limited supply of potential catches. But the further out you go, the more space you have to yourself. Things quiet down quite a bit so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the open water without much of a distraction.

The Variety of Fish

Sure, you can find peace and quiet at your local pond or small lake, but can you find a wide variety of large fish? Probably not. The ocean will offer you the largest species of fish as well as the widest variety. But you have to get away from the shore and go deep down to find all of them. When fishing off the northern Atlantic coast of the United States, this is where you’ll catch such prizes as stripers, blues, cod, haddock, football tuna and even sharks. You can’t do that in your backyard.

Challenge Yourself

If you’ve spent enough time fishing in small bodies of water or close to the shore, you may have mastered most of the necessary skills and thus could use a new challenge. Compared to other styles of fishing, the deep sea variety requires patience, skill and a good amount of physical strength, due to the larger size of the fish. A successful trip will require more out of you than you’re used to giving.

If you’re looking to go on a chartered deep sea fishing adventure, Morning Flight Charters is the place to go in Maine. We have a number of packages available so you’re sure to find something that matches your budget and interest. Call 207-831-2426 to start planning your ideal fishing getaway.

Tips For Fishing in the Summer Heat

Posted June 21, 2022 by Morning Flight Charters

Summer is among the most popular times to get out on the boat and go fishing. Generally, the weather is more conducive to spending the day outside than other times of year, especially up here in Maine. However, some days the sun just burns a little bit brighter than usual, and some precautions are necessary. Here’s are some tips to stay safe and fish productively on those sweltering summer days:

Hydrate and Prepare

On the hottest of days, it might be tempting to guzzle a soda or a beer, if you’re of age. But those kinds of drinks can make you even more dehydrated. Stick to water or electrolyte-replenishing drinks like Gatorade.

Additionally, it’s important to wear sunscreen if you’re going to be out in the sun and to reapply if you’ll be out for a while. It’s also wise to wear a hat and sunglasses to protect those parts of your body.

Avoid the Worst of the Heat

The afternoon tends to be the hottest and sunniest part of the day. If you’re planning on fishing on a day where the temperature is expected to be quite higher than normal, aim to arrive very early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Not only will you avoid the heat, but the fish will likely be more active as well.

Find the Right Spot

When the temperature is hot enough to affect you, it’s likely bothering the fish as well. They will likely look for an area to cool off, and that’s where you’ll find them. If there is any shade in the lake or river you’re fishing in, there’s a good chance some fish have congregated there. You should also look for a current as that’s essentially the equivalent to a fan for fish. It’s also worth remembering that the water will get cooler the further away it is from the surface. Consider dropping your line lower to find fish that have migrated down.

If you’re looking for a fishing adventure this summer, Morning Flight Charters in Portland, Maine is perfect for you. We offer guided fishing trips, including deep sea fishing, family fishing, shark fishing and more. Call us at 207-831-2426 to set up your dream fishing trip.

What to Know Before You Go Shark Fishing

Posted May 24, 2022 by Morning Flight Charters

Fishing is a rewarding experience that millions of people look forward to each year. Shark fishing is one of the more exciting and challenging ways to spend a day out on the water.

Here in Maine, we’re visited in the summer and early fall by eight different species of shark, some of which can grow to 20 feet long and more than 1,000 pounds. It’s not quite the same thing as reeling in herring and cod, so it’s important to be prepared before you set out. Here are some ways to be ready for your sharking fishing adventure.

Make Sure You Have the Right Bait

Large adult sharks aren’t going to be attracted to the small amount of bait you’d use to catch smaller fish. You’re likely going to need to use whole fish such as Bluefish or Mackerel You might also consider building a chum line to lure sharks to your boat before hooking them.

Ensure You’re Properly Equipped

If you plan to catch a shark, you’re going to have to use larger equipment than you would for a regular fishing outing. This means at least a size 8000 reel and a six-foot rod, but this will depend on the size of the shark you are after.

Plan For the Catch (and Release)

You’ve lured a shark, hooked it and reeled it in, now what? It’s important to be careful – this likely isn’t an animal to be taken lightly. It’s important that everyone knows what they’re doing ahead of time so that there are no unnecessary injuries. If you are going to release the shark back into the water, plan for the safest way to do that as well.

Consider a Guided Trip

If you’re new to shark fishing, it’s not a bad idea to consider a guided trip to learn from professionals before you set off on your own. This will allow you to get hands-on experience from those in the know, ensuring you’re that much more prepared for your own trip.

If you’re considering a guided shark fishing trip here in Maine, Morning Flight Charters is the way to go. This eight-hour charter will allow you the chance to catch sharks from the four major species in Maine. Call 207-831-2426 to schedule your trip today.