Sharpies in some segments where they roam have referred to striped bass as “squid hounds,” owing to the fish’s cravings for cephalopods. Not surprisingly, locals who are catching squid first are finding the striper fishing more productive than those who are not. Far removed from inshore, some are loving the ground fishing with even halibut figuring in the catch.
New Hampshire
Having developed an educated ear towards the local fishing scene, Roland from Suds ‘N Soda said that the striper fishing is shifting between roaring like a lion one moment, to “crickets” the next. Anglers who are hottest are taking advantage of the ubiquitous squid and live-lining, drifting or trolling them. The timing for all of the above is perfect since squid are ordinarily caught at night and night time is the right time for bass, especially big bass. The message doesn’t change regarding squid, they seem to be everywhere. Lit platforms of any sort which allow anglers to drop squid jigs into relatively deep water usually hold squid. Striped bass are often not far from the squid. Boaters have the mobility of moving towards a river or bay and hooking the squid through the mantel and either drifting with the tide/current or slowly trolling.
There have been a number of major league tuna taken within the past week. Anglers are setting up among the Scantums, dropping Sabiki rigs towards the bottom and then staggering spreads of whatever they come up with, which is usually whiting. Chad from Dover had just finished 48 hours of frustration when we spoke as Charlie pulled a no-show! It seems that the herring purse seiners sniffed out the bait on inshore humps and once they cleaned out the bait so went the bluefin. Chad recommends you target areas they haven’t decimated such as those where rolling closure regulations kept them out. Mackerel and harbor pollock can be found by The Sisters and the 2KR Buoy but some might say, “Who cares”! The reason is that sharpies are slamming the stripers on squid! A patron of the shop loaded up on 60 squid the other night and could not get a three-way rig to the bottom without the squid getting inhaled and he was soon out of bait! Plumb depressions throughout the Piscatagua River with three-wayed squid and you may have similar results.
Southern Maine
Curtis from Saco Bay Tackle Company said that the beaches are fishing best with chunk mackerel the prime bait. As usual you will fare better under “low or no light”. Sandworms are a good alternative to chunk mackerel. Get your mackerel fix by Wood and Eagle Islands. A few blues randomly flash through leaving as evidence a tattered leader and the need to retie a new hook. With the GOM cod catastrophe, I was surprised to hear from Brandy of Webhannet the amount of interest in ground fishing. Some of that is steeped in the realization that sooner or later if you put in the time you might come tight to a halibut, such as the 55” which was recently caught on one of the shop’s red/white flies. This fat flatfish was taken on one of The Fingers where on the same trip one was lost on a break-off. The pollock are pulverizing purple and green flies tipped with clams. Even though cod cannot be touched, the allure is undeniable when a baited hook is immediately set upon by “something”! A Webhannet helper has been catching stripers most evenings after work on mackerel which he is catching from the shore of Wells Harbor. The strange thing is that the bass are ignoring the live mackerel but gladly gulp the chunk! For those who prefer a late start take heart in that one of the shop’s regulars caught a 36” fish on clams in the middle of the day from Moody Beach! Mackerel are in lose because they are feeding on slim-profiled, silvery forage. Not surprisingly anglers working metal slim casting spoons are doing best on stripers.
Fishing Forecast
Find a lit pier or bridge in the Newcastle stretch as well as numerous other areas, jig up some squid and you may find stripers right on site. Boaters are doing best probing depressions in the Piscatagua River with fresh squid. Chunk mackerel is the key to catching stripers in Wells Harbor with tin working best for those who prefer artificials. Cod flies on The Fingers spiced with clams are being gobbled up by all manner of ground fish from big pollock to even the occasional halibut!
Actually a question: has anyone put in much time in the lower Kennebec or the Popham Beach/Fox Island area recently?
I fished there 24th – 26th July. Caught two 24 inchers on consecutive days. Most fisherman I talked to were less lucky. I fished afternoon incoming.
Fished Ft. Popham for the last 4 evenings around high tide. Naughty to show for it with flies. Did talk with a fellow in the car park yesterday at the fort who said he’d got 1, 25 inch fish of the beach about 1/2 way down an hour before… so I think they’re around.
Do you know a place to catch striper in the Bristol area
Pemaquid Point out on the rocks could be a spot to try. Also, I would check in with the guys out at Boothbay Harbor for any recent activity. The Damariscotta River is another possibility.