Deep Sea Fishing Maine (2023)

A Maine state record saltwater game fish is, by definition, the largest fish to be landed in one of four categories: harpoon, handline, rod and reel, or fly rod. In order to qualify for a Maine state record, proof of said catch has to be provided in the form of a completed Maine State Saltwater Record Application (MSSRA) and submitted to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575. The MSSRA will be reviewed by the Maine State Records Committee (MSRC), meeting annually, and if accepted, the represented fish will become the new Maine state record. This record can be revoked at any time if significant proof can be provided that the angler or harpooner didn't catch the fish within the rules and regulations for qualifying a Maine state record saltwater game fish.

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

In order to qualify for a Maine state saltwater game fish record, the fish has to be caught within Maine state waters or off the coast of Maine and landed within the state of Maine.

CATEGORIES:

Harpoon: A fisherman can receive the Maine state record for the largest saltwater fish caught with harpoon in only two fish species. These two species are the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus Linnaeus, 1758) and the Atlantic broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758). This category was established because historically, in the state of Maine, harpooning bluefin tuna and swordfish has been considered a sport. A harpooner is not bound by the "landing unaided" rule and boating the fish in any manner after it is harpooned is sufficient to capture a state record as long as the other Maine state rules are followed.

Handline: A fisherman can receive the Maine state record for the largest saltwater fish caught by handline in all the registered species accepted by the state of Maine. A handliner is not bound by the "landing unaided" rule and boating the fish in any manner after it is harpooned or gaffed is sufficient to capture a state record as long as the other Maine state rules are followed. (Note: A rod and reel used as a handline quafifies the rod and reel as a handline under the rules.)

Rod and reel: An angler can receive the Maine state record for the largest saltwater fish caught on rod and reel in all the registered species accepted by the state of Maine. There is no limit to the line strength (pound test) providing that a conventional (non-motorized) reel is used with the line. The angler has to hook, fight and bring the fish to gaff, net or hand unaided. Using a harpoon to boat a fish caught by rod and reel will disqualify the catch for a Maine state rod and reel record.

Fly Rod: An angler can receive the Maine state record for the largest saltwater fish caught on a fly rod in all the registered species accepted by the state of Maine.

1.Equipment Regulations:

A. Rod: A fly rod shall not measure less than 6 feet. Extension butts are limited to 6 inches.

B. Reel: A reel must be designed expressly for fly fishing. Electric or electronically operated reels are prohibited.

C. Line: Any type of fly line and backing may be used.

D. Leaders: Leaders must be no longer than 12 feet. There are no restrictions to its breaking strength or materials.

See Also
Maine Seafood Guide - Maine Sea Grant - University of MaineMaine Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing | Family Fishing FunNew Hampshire Fish and Game DepartmentMarine Species Migration in the Gulf of Maine

E. Fly: A fly may be dressed on a single hook, double hook or two single hooks in tandem. The eye of the second hook in a tandem rig must be not more than 6 inches from the eye of the first hook. The fly must be tied out of natural or synthetic fly tying materials. The use of more than one fly on a leader is prohibited. The use of any type of lure, hooked bait, baited fly or scented fly is prohibited.

2. Angling Regulations:

A. The angler must cast, retrieve, hook, fight, and bring to net, gaff, or tailer unaided by any other person. Any aid given, except gaffing, netting, or tailing, will be grounds for disqualification. The use of a flying gaff or harpoon is prohibited. It is prohibited (and illegal) to use a gaff on a striped bass in the state of Maine.

B. If a vessel is used to aid the angler while fly fishing, the said vessel can only be used as a fishing platform and use of any type of motor or propulsion system, except to arrive at the fishing location and fight the fish, is prohibited. A fish caught by the trolling method will be disqualified from a Maine state record in the fly rod category.

C. Foul hooked fish will not be considered for a Maine state record in the fly rod category.

D.The actual leader and fly must be submitted with the MSSRA in order for a fish to be considered for a Maine state record in the fly rod category.

Note: the fly rod category was designed to embrace the spirit of fly fishing. Any indication that the angler bent the rules just to capture a state record is discouraged by the MSRC.

SPECIES:

The following is a list of species that are applicable for a Maine saltwater state record. Unlisted species may be submitted for state record status but a final decision of acceptance or disapproval will be determined by a reviewing committee.

COMMON NAME:  SCIENTIFIC NAME:blue shark (bluedog) Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758)porbeagle (mackerel shark) Lamna nasus (Bonnaterre, 1788)mako (shortfin mako) Isurus oxyrinchus (Rafinesque, 1810)white shark (great white) Carcharodon carcharias (Linnaeus, 1758)thresher shark Alopias vulpinus (Bonnaterre, 1788)spiny dogfish (sand shark) Squalus acanthias (Linnaeus, 1758)Atlantic broadbill swordfish (swordfish)  Xiphias gladius (Linnaeus, 1758)Atlantic cod (cod) Gadus morhua (Linnaeus, 1758)cusk Brosme brosme (Muller, 1776)haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus (Linnaeus, 1758)pollock (Boston bluefish) Pollachius virens (Linnaeus, 1758)white hake (blue hake, sow hake, russet hake) Urophycis tenuis (Mitchill, 1814)squirrel hake (mud hake, butter mullet) Urophycis chuss (Walbaum, 1792)striped bass Morone saxatilis (Walbaum, 1792)bluefish  Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766)Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus (Linnaeus, 1758)bluefin tuna (horse mackerel) Thunnus thynnus thynnus (Linnaeus, 1758)Atlantic wolffish (ocean catfish) Anarhichas lupus (Linnaeus, 1758)Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Linnaeus, 1758)winter flounder (blackback)  Pleuronectes americanus (Walbaum, 1792)monkfish (goosefish) Lophius americanus (Valenciennes, 1837)silver hake (whiting) Merluccius bilinearis (Mitchill, 1814)redfish (ocean perch, brim) Sebastes fasciatus (Storer, 1854)ocean pout (eelpout, conger eel) Macrozoarces americanus (Schneider, 1801)torpedo ray (electric ray) Torpedo nobiliana (Bonaparte, 1835)

SPECIES IDENTIFICATION:

1.Photographs of such clarity as to easily identify the fish species being submitted for a record must be included with the MSSRA.

2.If in doubt about the clarity of the photograph, you may submit a signed letter from a qualified fisheries biologist or ichthyologist substantiating your claim.

3.The submitted application will not be accepted if a positive identification of the fish in question can not be made.

WITNESSES TO CATCH:

It is highly desirable to have a witness to the catch but not entirely necessary. However, an unwitnessed catch may be disqualified for a state record if there becomes a question of authenticity.

WEIGHTS NEEDED TO DEFEAT OR TIE EXISTING RECORDS:

1.To replace a record for a fish weighing less than 25 pounds, the replacement must weigh at least 2 ounces more than the existing record.

2.To replace a record for a fish weighing 25 to less than 100 pounds, the replacement must weigh at least 4 ounces more than the existing record.

3.To replace a record for a fish weighing 100 to less than 200 pounds, the replacement must weigh at least 8 ounces more than the existing record.

4.To replace a record for a fish of 200 pounds or more, the replacement must weigh at least 16 ounces (one pound) more than the existing record.

5.In the four categories listed above, if the potential replacement record fish weighs less than the required amount to beat the existing record but is larger than or equal to the existing record, the potential replacement will be considered a tie with preference to first listing given to the original state record holder.

TIME LIMIT ON STATE RECORD CLAIMS:

There will be no time limit on claims. A state record will be awarded to anyone that can properly substantiate a claim according to the rules. Certain exceptions to the rules can be granted to substantiate a state record if proper proof of questioned area can be provided. State records will be accepted from past years if:

1.Acceptable photographs are submitted (see photographs section).

2.The weight of the fish can be positively identified.

3.The method of catch can be substantiated.

WEIGHING REQUIREMENTS:

1.The potential state record fish must be weighed on land by a person (weighmaster) familiar with subtracting the tare to get the existing weight of the fish alone. U.S. post offices are excellent places to weigh a fish if they will allow it.

2.The scale used must be a sealed scale certified for accuracy by the state of Maine or by an accredited organization ( All Tech Weighing, Portland, ME for example) within one year.

3.The MSSRA reviewing committee reserves the right to disqualify any fish where it's weight can not be proven as accurate.

PHOTOGRAPHS:

Three photographs should accompany the MSSRA:

1.One photograph should show the a side view of the fish either hanging next to the angler with the equipment he or she used to catch the fish or with the angler holding the fish and equipment used.

2.One photograph should show a side view of the fish next to a rule showing measurement in inches that can be read from the photograph.

3.One photograph should show the fish as it is being weighed on the actual scale that was used to weigh the fish.

4.Any of these photographs can be used for species identification.

NOTARY:

The fisherman submitting his or her fish for state recognition must appear in person to have the MSSRA notarized. Any deliberate falsification of an MSSRA will disqualify the applicant from any past, present or future record in the state of Maine.

Note: The MSSRA and preceeding Maine state rules and regulations were drawn up with the direct help of the International Game Fish Association.