So far, this May not only feels like April, it is fishing like it! That’s actually good news for salmon seekers who are enjoying right-on-top trolling. The lone exception in the salt remains the hot haddock bite on Jeffreys Ledge.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
John Tregea from Sea Run Charters in the past has found flounder foraging at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, but the formidable combination of east wind/fog put the flounder off their feed recently. Have no fear regarding those flounder, we in the Boston area did not have a significant bite until the mercury crept to 50 degrees and now we are achieving limits! John did say that water temperatures are skyrocketing inside the river which often coincides with that first wave of schoolies, stay tuned!
Chad from Dover Marine said that salmon and rainbow trout are cooperating by Suissevale on Lake Winnipesaukee as well as Wolfboro and The Broads. Trolling is the preferred method within the top 12 feet of the surface with a Guide Special spoon as well as a DB Smelt and Luhr Jensen Krocodile. Trout is the top attraction in the Isinglass, Cocheco, Swift and Saco Rivers.
Folks who fish for haddock are having no problem limiting out in 160’ of water on top of Jeffrey’s Ledge. Richard Wolfe of Sea Wolfe Tackle, which is a New Hampshire company that turns out premium salt water tackle, sent me an impressive report of lights-out haddock fishing aboard Eastman’s in Seabrook. The only issue was trying to cull the haddock out of all the 10- to 15-pound cod that are prohibited to keep in the GOM. Sea Wolfe haddock rigs and pink Cod Flies ruled the day!
Zach from Suds ‘N Soda has had shop customers catching a few flounder in Rye Harbor! The white perch bite is also good in the Exeter/Squamscott River. The shop carries seaworms which are the preferred bait for both species.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Scotty from Dag’s told me that blue-ribbon salmon water up north such as Moosehead Lake and the Rangley Lakes are just about ice free. Often the first few weeks of open-water fishing is the best of the season since the fish are close to the surface. Another tip from Scotty, who is a registered guide, is to pick the days which most don’t want to fish. Drizzly days or outings which are pre-storm are usually far more effective than bluebird, high-pressure trips. Locally black bass are cruising in closer to the shore and are getting pre-spawn aggressive.
Peter from Saco Bay said that most of the fishing has been for haddock off Jeffreys Ledge, which is hot right now. He hasn’t heard of any flounder catches as of yet, but Pepperell Cove in Kittery should be productive soon. Warm water species water bodies such as Worthley Pond and Lake Arrowhead are beginning to give up bass and crappie. Keep your offerings small, especially jigs, and your movements slow this time of the year. Alewives have been cruising upstream in the Saco River but there are no signs of shad as of yet.
Maine, New Hampshire And Vermont Fishing Forecast
For hot salty action, the haddock bite on Jeffreys Ledge is hard to beat and you’ll find headboats from Seabrook and Hampton willing to take you out there. Unseasonably cool water temperatures are just the ticket for on-top solid salmon action from the Suissevale section of Lake Winnipesaukee. Farther north in Maine, Moosehead Lake and the Rangley Lakes have only recently shook free of the last vestiges of winter’s ice making it prime time right now to troll up a Downeast salmon!
HI, WANT TO KNOW HOW THE BASS FISHING IS AT GREAT POND, BELGRADE ARE OF MAINE. ANY GOOD ACTION YET?? PLEASE LET ME KNOW, HEADING UP THERE SOON WITH MY WIFE, WANT TO HIT GREAT POND WHEN WE GET THERE, PLEASE POST, THANKS A MILLION, HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOME ONE SOON, JEFF COSTIGAN.