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If you're fascinated with sharks I would like to invite you to join us in on one of our Educational Shark Encounters - a voyage that's guaranteed NOT to be "just another fishing trip!"

Like most anglers, I enjoy fishing for just about everything that swims, but the fact is, sharks have intrigued me since my childhood and held my interest and respect more than any other fish. So back in 1986 when I started my career in the charter fishing and guide service by opening "Fish Finder Adventures" it was an easy decision to "specialize" in sharks.

Since then, being able to introduce both aduts and children of all ages to the world of sharks has been a wonderful privilege for me and one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. In fact, it's been such a pleasure that we've made a commitment to make the experience even more accessible than ever. Keeping with this goal, in 2006 we officially kicked off the first season for our "Educational Shark Encounters."

The idea for our educational trips came about from the realization that, of all the different types of trips we've run over the years, our Nearshore Shark Adventures have provided the most consistent action, highest level of customer enjoyment, and some of our most exciting and memorable experiences on the ocean. Our nearshore shark trips have provided us with opportunities to catch, tag, and study literally hundreds of sharks each summer.

Species we've encountered have included duskies, sandbars, hammerheads, Atlantic sharpnose, spinners, blacktips, tigers, sand tigers, dogfish, blacknose, finetooth, angel, and threshers. On two occasions we've even crossed paths with the infamous great white shark!

Our educational expeditions are run aboard the 40' FISH FINDER and are a blend of fishing and education. In most cases our passengers will use sportfishing tackle to bring the sharks to the boat where they can be closely examined, measured, tagged, photographed, and then safely released back into their own environment.

Ever want to watch sharks freely swimming and feeding around a boat, inspect the extraordinary sensory receptors that help them detect their prey, tell a male from a female, or learn to identify different shark species? Or how would you like to touch and have your picture taken with a live shark?

Having the proper equipment, decades of experience, and an extensive knowledge of sharks allows us to present these opportunities to the public in a format that is not only exciting and educational, but also safe for both our clients and the sharks they encounter. All sharks that are actually "caught" on our educational trips will be released alive back into the ocean. To assist marine science and shark research, most sharks will also be tagged for the National Marine Fisheries Service Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.

While regular charter fishing trips are booked by small groups of up to six anglers who take the entire boat themselves, in order to make our Educational Shark Encounter trips more affordable to individuals, couples, and small families, we will offer morning or afternoon expeditions at a per person price of $150 which will include: the tip for the 1st mate, non-alcoholic drinks, and light foods provided by Applebee's.

Those interested in taking part in an expedition may contact us days or months in advance to reserve their place on the boat. Morning trips will leave the dock at 7:am and return at noon, while afternoon trips will leave at 1:pm and return at 6:pm.

Educational Shark Encounter trips will provide a safe and exciting offshore voyage where men, women, and children will have the opportunity to enjoy not only time on the water, but also the chance to learn firsthand about the habits and biology of one of the ocean's most intriguing predators as they assist the advancement of marine science through tagging and the collection of important shark data.

Captain Mark Sampson

Your Host and Your Guide to exciting and educational shark encounters.
Captain Mark Sampson’s experience with sharks has made him a sought after lecturer, demonstrator, writer, and guide for more than 25 years. Mark has been featured many times in both local and national television broadcasts, radio talk shows, fishing videos, newspaper, and magazine articles.

A member of the Outdoor Writers Association, Mark has his own columns in the Ocean Pines Independant, Daily Times, and the Fishing & Hunting Journal. His free-lance work also appears in other fishing, hunting, and outdoor related publications. Mark's book "Modern Sharking" will be available in the spring of 2008.

Mark is a founder of the Annual Ocean City Shark Tournament, an event he’s helped run since its conception in 1981. He’s active in gamefish tagging programs, a member of the Maryland Saltwater Sportsfisherman's Association (MSSA), the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), on an advisory panel to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Maryland Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission, an International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Certified Captain who has guided anglers to 14 world records (9 for sharks), and numerous Maryland state records. Mark and his wife Charlotte are members of the National Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue Program and assist with the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and stranded marine turtles, seals, whales and dolphins.

Captain's Resume

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Capt. Sampson (in red) assisting a ...................................Disntangling an endangered........
stranded dolphin on a COLD January day..................................leatherback sea turtle...................

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2008 Price

$150.00 per person

7:am - 12 Noon or 1:pm - 6:pm

$50 Deposit required for each person

* 2008 Educational Shark Trip Dates *

July 15,16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31,
Aug.5,6,7,12,13,14,19,20,21,27,28,29
Sept. 2,3,4,9,10,11.

Group Discounts
You may book the entire boat for your own group of up to six by paying for five ($750.00)

Gift Certificates Available

For reservations call:
410-213-2442 (evenings)
410-726-7946 (cell)
or Email
mark@bigsharks.com