The Piscataqua predator/prey relationship of stripers and squid are making for simple fishing. Anglers need little more than a lit bridge, a squid jig and in turn a robust outfit from which to live-line the squid. The Cape Neddick section of Maine also comes readily equipped with bait (pollock and mackerel), bass and aesthetics which will blow your socks off!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Chad from Dover Marine said that the hardest thing he is faced with is convincing local anglers to use for striper bait what is right at their feet, namely squid. Anglers are nothing if not a stubborn bunch and while the shop appreciates the business of selling eels, plugs and the like, fishermen simply have to look around and see that the stripers are feeding on the squid. While the squid/striper shootout takes place throughout the Piscataqua River watershed where you stand the best chance of catching a cow on that calamari is at the river mouth where Spruce Creek and Chauncy Creek empty into the river. The other successful option is to drift over structure with pollock or mackerel. For far bigger pollock poke around high spots in Jeffrey’s Ledge but beware if you opt for bait – you’ll have to deal with the dog pack. Jigs won’t get quite as much doggie attention but you also won’t get as many haddock so it’s your call. Another “problem” is the volume of cod out there. In some cases the ratio is 10:1 in favor of cod. Beginning August 1st and lasting until the end of September recreational (not for hire) anglers will be able to keep 1 cod per person in the GOM.
Jason of Suds ‘N Soda said that snapper blues have swarmed in as far upstream as Little Bay. While no-one is likely to refer to these little choppers as gators with light tackle they sure are fun. Bigger bass are taking up residence at local beaches. Some of the best bass have been beached at Jenness Beach, Wallis Sands and Pirates Cove. Flounder can still be found by Rye, Hampton and Wentworth harbors it’s just that the fish have slipped off to 20’ plus depths not far from the harbors. Drift until you find them and try a top and bottom rig with the top hook a few inches above bottom. Bigger fish will spot the top bait and invariably hit that one.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
It looks as if bluefish have made it all the way into the Saco Bay area according to Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company. Anglers trolling mackerel by Wood, Eagle and Richmond Island are getting bite offs. Strangely none have been landed but the dental evidence is inescapable. What have been landed are striped bass at the top of the tide off Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough Marsh. There’s been a top water bite at dusk and dawn off Biddeford Pool and Pine Point. Some of the better fish are being taken on live mackerel which can be caught from shore at Camp Ellis and Portland Harbor.
Brandy from Webhannet Marine said that some of the better bass fishing is taking place from the rocky coast of the Cape Neddick area. Access is not the best but a polite, courteous inquiry will often earn you entry if you’re a shore guy. Mackerel and pollock can often be jigged up and live-lined on site and will catch whatever bass is swimming there. Tube-and-worm anglers are doing well by Drakes Island as are chunkers casting mackerel. The after-dark crew has been working eels and catching fish up to 40” in Wells Harbor. One of the hotter artificials is the 5” Fin S Fish/jighead, especially in Arkansas shiner. Some of the folks working eels during dusk and dawn are having them reduced to “cigar eels”, which obviously means that blues have arrived. One of the better beach bass spots has been Ogunquit with mackerel chunks and clams getting the nod.
New Hampshire, Maine & Vermont Fishing Forecast
July for many means a lot of beach time. Scratch that beach itch and catch some stripers as well from Wallis Sands as well as Jenness Beach in New Hampshire. If the tube-and-worm is your thing check out Drakes Island. Wood Island, Eagle Island and Richmond Island are harboring mackerel and if bite offs are proof then just maybe the first bluefish of the year have arrived.