With cooler than usual water temperatures, larger bass have been reluctant to hit. However it’s hard to really complain when schoolie blitzes are still par for the course in Little Bay and the Saco River.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Jon Tregea of Sea Run Charters said that while schoolies are no problem in such areas as Little Bay, the unseasonably cool water temps – 49-53 degrees – have given the larger lockjaw. The skipper does recommend harbors such as Hampton where there is the warmest temperatures. However, if you’d rather stick with the Piscatagua River than target rips with mackerel. This has not been the most plentiful year for mackerel but if you set sail early you should be able to find them. Options to consider are chumming/trolling for the bait. With a favorable weather forecast predicted over the next week look for things to change rapidly.
Hans from Suds ‘N Soda said that patrons who are putting themselves in position to catch the bigger bass are either live lining mackerel or targeting waning herring runs. Casting a diamond jig off jetties such as Rye Jetty and catching and live-lining mackerel can be effective for keeper plus stripers. Also searching upstream in the Lamprey, Oyster and other Great Bay tributaries, for fall-back river herring schools which should have lurking linesiders nearby, should pay dividends. There are reports of pogies spotted near the Isle of Shoals which should come closer soon. Squid can be found off lit bridges and piers throughout the Piscatagua River. Should you decided to mix up striper fishing with a little calamari craving than live line those squid, stripes love them! The shop is moving a lot of groundfish gear so you know jigging on Jeffrey’s for haddock must be hot!
Southern Maine Fishng Report
From Captain Lou of Diamond Pass Outfitters comes news of bigger bait. Mackerel and pogies have brought in bigger bass to the area! Bass are present nearly everywhere: rivers, flats, ledges, beaches – you name it. With ideal water temperatures and ample bait, now really is prime time! Moving water/current/tide matters for finding the fish and getting them to hit. Top top water plugs that mimic the bait spectrum are Two Lights Tackle spooks, the new Hogy Poppers, and Skid Sticks. Soft plastics, Texas rigged, in pearl, and olive have been effective The Captain has been doing well with larger deceivers in herring patterns as well. The guys that are live lining and fishing bottom are also doing good. Mackerel, clams, and sand worms seem to be what most guys are fishing and what the fish are preferring.
Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Noatyard said that the recent arrival of 30” striped bass have made things a lot more interesting. Local boys have been putting in a few hours most nights with chunk mackerel and catching a lot of schoolies along with a few 30” fish in the mix as well. Some anglers are opting for larger paddletails off Goose Rocks and finding a more favorable ratio of big fish to smaller! The Saco River is “choked” with schoolies which are gorging on hordes of small herring and those stripers are inclined to hit most everything. Flounder fishing has been a pleasant surprise this year with some actually successfully targeting them in the York River as well as Perkins Cove! Mackerel are spotty but harbor pollock are plentiful and make a great alternative bait for bass!
Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont Fishing Forecast
Until we get a badly needed spike in water temperatures, look for bigger bass to be lurking downtide of rips in the Piscatagua River. A live mackerel drifted over those rips of fished in Hampton Bay shouldn’t last long! The Saco River is swarming with schoolies making this a best bet for action. If you’re looking for something which may take drag than a paddletial fished off Goose Rocks is a good idea!
Having spent the last week fishing in Southern Maine from York Harbor to Colony Beach talking to a lot of local fishermen, there are no stripers here yet. The ocean temperatures are colder than they ever have been in the last 30 years.
http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Ogunquit-Rivermouth/seatemp
Ive been fishing in southern Maine as i live here and been catching many many stripers.
I guess the 20-30 fish outings from the river mouths is a figment of my imagination?
Just came back from NH ,ME area and as report says . The flounder pounders were also in the action .