New Hampshire and Southern Maine Fishing Report
Jason of Suds ‘N Soda said that the first fresh striped bass have just arrived! Almost as significant is the hot lure that the patrons of the shop expect to catch those stripers with. The shop has an in-tank display of the Viper model, which you can see online; it is scary how lifelike this lure is and almost no-one who enters Suds can leave without one. The bass are busting bait at the mouth of the Lamprey River. White perch remain a winner throughout the Squamscott and Exeter rivers. And flounder can be found in Rye Harbor and even in Great Bay.
Richard Wolfe of Sea Wolfe Tackle in Londonderry, New Hampshire, along with a couple-dozen friends chartered one of the Eastman Fleet boats out of Seabrook and found the groundfishing to be great. Limits of cod and haddock were a cinch and the addition of big redfish just sweetened the outing. Shrimp on the Sea Wolfe haddock rigs was the ticket. Jamie from Dover Marine seconded that account especially on The Curl segment of Jeffreys Ledge. The Winnepesauke salmon action has been solid, providing that you troll with 2 to 3 colors of leadcore and employ red/white or pink/silver spoons. The fish are all fat 20” specimens. White perch are breeding now and are especially fond of a worm/float combination in the 19 Mile Bay area at dusk and dawn.
The salmon fishing in Maine is sizzling according to Dylan of Dag’s in Auburn. Not a week goes by that someone doesn’t register an 8-pounder! Smelt are like money if you can find them, even the frozen variety. Lake Auburn, Sebago and Thompson Lake are all worth a go. The theory is that there are simply fewer togue, which feed on the forage as well as the salmon. In the absence of that top predator, salmon thrive. Fewer togue often equates to bigger fish. One look no farther than Sebago Lake, where a 20-something togue took first prize during the ice fishing derby and there has already been a 22-pounder taken this year during open water.
Kenny from Saco Bay said the words that Southern Maine anglers want to hear: “They’re here!” Schoolies can now be found in the Saco River as well as Scarborough Marsh. For a fish that will outfight a schoolies, try for a shad, which can be found in the Saco River as well. The shop carries shad darts as well as “Woo Spoons,” which are a flutter spoon that many feel are much more effective. Mackerel are present off Kenebunkport, and its even money that they will soon be among the Saco Bay Islands. In spite of the solemn news about groundfish regulations, the reports coming from Tantas and Jeffreys are very encouraging.
Fishing Forecast
Shad continue to thrill in the Saco. The first wave of stripers has invaded Great Bay as well as Saco Bay. For deep-water thrills, check out the groundfishing among Tantas and Jeffreys—it’s getting rave reviews.