YOUR DAY ON THE WATER

USCG Master Captain Drew Downing and Outermost Harbor's Devin Kahn ensure you a safe, fun-filled day on the water. Down East Charters, in cooperation with Outermost Harbor Marina, offers (4) fully customized boats designed for our fishing grounds.

Our 33’ Grady White Canyon, the F/V Rainmaker, is a beautiful platform for Chatham's fisheries and beyond. Raymarine has sponsored the boat and retrofitted us with all brand-new top of the line electronics. This boat has a marine toilet and ample seating forward and aft as well. The Rainmaker will bring you to the fishing grounds quickly and in style with one of the most comfortable rides you are going to find.

Our 26' (29' LOA) Regulator Marine Classic, F/V Isla Grace. This is one of the safest and most rugged boats of all-time. This is our go-anywhere, do-anything fishing machine. It has an open deck layout ready for casting and jigging with tons of storage. Redundant commercial grade electronics package including auto pilot and full offshore safety. Two F200 Yamaha four strokes that are whisper quiet with a 400mi range. This is a boat you want to be on when we start the daily hunt offshore for Tuna or Bass.

We now have a 20' Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman AND a 20' Carolina skiff with a Yamaha 115 and jack plate for skinny water. These boats are at home in the shallows and flats of Monomoy and Cape Cod Bay but have open water capabilities as well. Casting decks fore and aft with a poling platform allow anglers to creep up on sight-fishing opportunities. Low freeboard and a ladder allow anglers to hop out and wade sandbars in prime spots. Please check our FLY FISHING tab for more info on light tackle/fly trips in the Jones/Carolina.

Down East Charters fishes high quality equipment from North Chatham Outfitters. We carry medium/light action vertical jig, live bait, and casting spinning rods with braided line from Daiwa and casting and rip fly rods from Orvis. We primarily fish cast and jig style with multiple anglers in the water at the same time and a great fight from hooked fish. We only fish live bait when its most effective. Outfitting the boat with different combos means multiple approaches throughout the day and tide.

Fly Fishermen: We love to fly fish and are passionate about it! Please let us build a trip for you. Please look at our Fly Fishing Page for details/trip options.

Multi-Boat Trips: Have a large group and want to do something fun? We can coordinate. We fish multiple boats in the same areas and tag-team the fishing grounds. Don't go on a party boat. Have the party on our boats! We have availability and are scheduling out in advance. Inquire today.

Great White Shark Trips: We have our two charter boats available to provide the best Great White Shark tour available. Our launch location at the marina is 5 min from the sharking grounds! Our location for departure means more time with the sharks. Guided by a spotter plane above, finding and spending time with our local resident Great White Sharks has never been better. Visitors and locals alike can participate in ‘Citizens Science’ as they add white shark sightings to the Sharktivity App. Although shark sightings are not guaranteed, we have had a 99% success rate historically on seeing sharks when the conditions permit. Please contact us for availability and pricing. Bucket-List material if you are visiting Chatham.

Seasonal Calendar and Trip Options

Late April-Early May: (1) Squid jigging season in Nantucket Sound! Let us take you out and fill buckets with squid. Eat some, freeze some, fill a bait freezer. A blast for kids and a great way to get the season underway.

May 15-Jun 1: (1) Jumbo Sea Bass and Scup bottom fishing with light tackle and jigs in Nantucket Sound. Great for kids and families and delicious table-fare. (2)Light tackle and fly fishing for early run bass in the harbors.

Jun 1-Jul 1: (1) Best sight-fishing of the year in Chatham for migratory Stripers. Difficult and rewarding, fisherman have a chance to see and cast to bass on the flats of Monomoy and south cape beaches. (2) Epic top water Striper fishing on plugs and the fly off of P-Town and Cape Cod Bay. A little longer run but well worth it. (3) Early run Tuna most years. Great chance at Bluefin Tuna to the east of Chatham on the bait/troll and with top water stick baits. The king of gamefish in the northeast. This fishery remains steady throughout the summer.

Jun 15-Oct 15: World-Class Striped Bass and Bluefish fishing locally up and down the beach and at the Monomoy Rips.

July 15th-Oct 15th: Best Great White Shark Viewing Window

Sept 1-Nov 15: (1) Last three weeks of September offer great False Albacore/Bonito fishing in Chatham. Truly a test on light tackle and light crowds. (2) Tuna fall migration. Great chance at BIG Tuna close to the beach on a variety of tackle. Best time for cast and jig for these critters.

Your Captain

Son of a native Cape Codder, captain Drew has grown up spending every summer on the sand bar and developed a passion for boating and fishing at a very young age. Whether it be fishing, surfing, clamming or cruising, he is always on the water! If you are an experienced angler, or a novice and never have had the pleasure of fishing before, Captain Drew will take the time to show you the ropes. There is always something new to learn and experience when you leave the harbor, and it's all about having fun out there!

Drew has had the opportunity to live/study in Vermont, Florida, Wyoming, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Founded in river fishing for trout and steelhead with the flyrod, Capt. Drew has spent time chasing all kinds of fish all over the world. Experience in different styles of fishing helps Down East Charters' anglers learn new tactics and patterns to take to their own home waters. We relish the opportunity to get you onboard and start telling fish tales!

Capt. Drew splits his time between Chatham and northern Vermont with his wife Erika, daughter Isla, sons Zane and Reid, and mutt Riggs.

Why fish with us?

We are in our 13th year of charter fishing out of Chatham and I'd say there are a couple things that we really prioritize in our business--first and foremost, we pride ourselves on repeat guests and developing lasting friendships. A morning on the water shared among friends is what it's all about. We are family friendly and love first-time anglers as well as seasoned pro's. We build a safe trip that caters to the crew and revolves around what's biting the best. We have also always been committed to getting you into the fish. Our boat options are great platforms that can make the run in most conditions and we will burn extra gas if that's what it takes on any given day. Additionally, location is really important. Chatham is our homeport. A short boat ride leads to the most diverse waterways and fishing grounds on Cape Cod. Cool ocean water during the heat of summer leads to a consistent summer fishery. A lot of years, we have fish when others do not. We also have Nantucket Sound's warm water for great early and late season fishing. Truly great trips catch fish AND get to experience the local inhabitants. Not a fisherman? No worries, check out our tour options priced for 6 passengers or less. We are fortunate to have a ton of sea life on Chatham's doorstep. Up close viewing of massive seal colonies, sea birds, whales, dolphins, and sharks. We see Great Whites in the surf line almost daily now and can put you right next to them in safety. Give us a try, I'm sure you'll have a day to remember. Thanks- Capt. Drew

What to Bring

-Sneakers/Rubber Boots/Flip-Flops/Non-Marking (No Bare Feet for Safety)

-Extra Layer or Windbreaker (Usually few degrees cooler out there)

-Camera/Phone

-Small Cooler/Bag for Drinks/Snacks

-Sunscreen(NON-SPRAY please) and Sunglasses

-Few Beers or Wine Permitted (No Drugs allowed)

-A Great Attitude--It's Going to be a Blast!

(Children under 12 years of age are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets in Massachusetts above deck on any vessel that is underway)