Fishing is seldom predictable, but the cooler than usual spring has made the striper migration more uncertain than usual. The good news is that some have apparently spun off from the main mass and move northward.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
A certainty among anglers is that if you know you are supposed to be on point at a specific hour and you show up late, then you are going to miss the bite. Such was the case for Captain Jon Tregea of Sea Run Charters who viewed but didn’t catch among some impressive surface action at the mouth of one of the Great Bay tributary herring runs. He knew he should have been there at false dawn just in case there were sizeable stripers feeding on the herring. Sure enough, the fish were there but it was bright enough for the stripers to recognize that what Jon was wielding was not a real river herring. At dark the fish can easily be fooled but not when they can get a good look at a fake. Still, Jon said it was something to see that serious stripers were there!
Jason of Suds ‘N Soda said that patrons who were hoping to jig up mackerel just outside of the Piscataqua River got quite the surprise when they found a school of stripers instead up to 25 inches long! He’s also hearing that the Hampton River has 18- to 20-inch fish, as does Portsmouth Harbor. The shop is having no problem selling seaworms because the flounder are biting in Hampton Harbor, Rye, and Seabrook. Regarding bait, there are a few mackerel out front and a lot of river herring in just about all the runs.
Chad from Dover Marine said that Winnipesaukee smelt are beginning to transition to deeper water making for better fishing farther from shore. Alton Bay has quieted down, while The Broads and other more open water destinations are fishing better. If you’re new to this giant lake, then Chad recommends trolling the northern sector with spoons, streamers or smelt (if you can find them).
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Scotty from Dag’s said that rivers in much of Maine have finally settled down, making for pleasant conditions to fish. Such spots as the Androscoggin and Great Falls and Lewiston had been raging rivers and those conditions have resulted in light angling pressure. Pike and black bass can be found in both rivers with the latter occasionally giving up a nice trout which washed into it by a flooding tributary.
Brandy from Webhannet River Boat Yard said that a few diehards have been finding a few flounder from the Webhannet River out through Wells Harbor. The flatties more often than not are an accidental catch in this area which seems to be increasing in recent years. Brandy suspects that the Ogunquit could be good for flounder; now all we need is someone to try it! Jeffrey’s Ledge is loaded with haddock, plus there are pollock and redfish in the mix. Owing to the smaller size of redfish, make sure you downsize your teasers/squids accordingly. The alewife/shad runs in the Saco River are gaining steam! Another sign that fishing will soon be popping according to Brandy is that the lilac flowers are ready to pop! According to her, that bloom usually signals that mackerel are in!
Maine, New Hampshire And Vermont Fishing Forecast
Finally, May is behaving like it, with reports of solid stripers tailing herring in the runs of Great Bay. Additionally, York Harbor is worth a look with schoolie action being reported. Haddock continue to please on Jeffrey’s Ledge with pollock and redfish getting in on the action.