Federal Fisheries Permit for Mark Rowell's Legit Fish Sportfishing

What This Permit Covers

The Legit Fish holds a Federal Fisheries Permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The permit was issued to Mark Rowell and covers the vessel Legit Fish, a 30-foot catamaran based in Scituate, Massachusetts. This permit authorizes charter and headboat fishing for Atlantic highly migratory species, which includes bluefin tuna, sharks, and billfish.

The permit carries endorsements for commercial sale and recreational shark fishing. Under the shark endorsement, recreational sharks are available for release or harvest depending on the trip. The permit specifies that any commercial sale of sharks requires the vessel to hold a separate limited access shark permit.

How to Report Your Catch

When you fish bluefin tuna aboard the Legit Fish, the captain is responsible for catch reporting through the NOAA HMS Permits system. You can reach NOAA at 888-872-8862 or through hmspermits.noaa.gov. In North Carolina or Maryland, state reporting rules apply in addition to federal requirements.

If you book a trip targeting billfish or swordfish on a recreational non-tournament basis, reporting goes through hmspermits.noaa.gov or 800-894-5528. Again, state rules in North Carolina and Maryland supersede these federal guidelines.

What to Bring for Your Charter

Bring your own fishing license issued by Massachusetts before boarding. You will not need a federal permit as a guest—that requirement belongs to the vessel and captain. Wear layers and bring sunscreen, as conditions change quickly offshore. The Legit Fish provides rods, reels, and bait on most trips, but confirm what is included when you book.

For spring haddock trips on Stellwagen Bank, trips depart at 6 a.m. and return by 2:30 p.m. The limit is 12 haddock of 17 inches or over per person. Trips run best with 4 or 5 people; a maximum of 6 guests can be accommodated. For bluefin tuna and shark trips, Captain Mark recommends a limit of 4 guests to maximize your experience.

Inshore and Offshore Options Year-Round

The Legit Fish runs both inshore and offshore charters from Scituate. Inshore striped bass and bluefish trips fish the rocky areas, cliffs, and North River along the coast. These 4-hour trips are ideal if you want to see the Massachusetts coastline while targeting striped bass with the occasional bluefish mixed in.

Offshore trips head farther out for bigger species. The East of the Bank trip is built for anglers who want variety—shark, tuna, halibut, and other species may be on the line. Summer offers jigging for groundfish like haddock and pollock off Stellwagen, while late May through November brings jigging and popping opportunities for bluefin tuna. From July through September, the boat can run canyon trips targeting yellowfin, big eye, mahi, swordfish, and marlin.

Fall and early winter bring trips for tautog and sea bass. Shark fishing runs consistently with blue sharks as the most common species. These sharks are typically photographed and released, though they fight hard and make for dramatic moments on the water.

The Vessel and Equipment

The Legit Fish is a brand new catamaran with a full marine head for guests. The boat carries top-notch Garmin navigational electronics, a live well to keep bait and catches fresh, and two Icom VHF radios for communication. All USCG safety equipment is on board and ready. Captain Mark holds a Master USCG License and operates with a professional crew.

The vessel is registered with the National Marine Fisheries Service and measured at 30 feet with a 1,000-pound hold capacity. Groups of up to 6 anglers can book a charter, though for tuna and shark trips Captain Mark recommends 4 guests for the best experience. Larger groups can book multiple boats by arrangement.