Cooler water temperatures and a hotter bite should make this weekend one to remember. The only thing better would be an extra day off and for some of us, that’s in order!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
The word from Captain Jon Tregea of Sea Run Charters was that the past week was an awesome one for striped bass. Jon networks with some experienced skippers and has a handle on the bite from Hampton to Cape Neddick. As is usually the case, ultimate thanks have to go to the ubiquitous pogies which when found take the guesswork out of where to find the cows. When patrons prefer faster action with less of an emphasis on size, Jon’s home base of the Piscatagua River delivers with sometimes double and even triple hook-ups. The talk has also turned to football and it’s not just restricted to the Pats season opener either as just offshore school tuna are cooperating. The haddock haul remains hot but don’t delay after hooking up – blue dogs are on the prowl! The feeling is that ideal weather, a new moon cycle and the holiday are making for a highly anticipated weekend!
Jason of Suds ‘N Soda in Greenland said that pogies are “thick as thieves” and making for impressive big bass action. If he had to pick one environment where the odds are best, Jason suggests where rivers meet up with the sea. Squid can still be found off Newcastle, the Route 103 Bridge in Kittery and Pepperell Cove.
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Southern Maine Fishng Report
Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard said that while the big surf slowed angler effort the few who got out were rewarded with big bass among pogie schools just outside of Wells. Friends of the shop have been consistently bring in fresh mackerel for bait which a couple young kids put to good use for 5 mid-20-inch stripers right off the shop dock. The Saco River as well as other rivers have been fishing well for anglers trolling a tube-and-worm.
Captain Lou from Diamond Pass Outfitters is feeling that Maine has officially entered the beginning of the fall run. More and more bait is dropping out of the rivers and it has triggered a nice topwater feed from bass of 24” and up that have been busting on herring and possibly something undetermined in the rivers. These fish are happy to hit the new Hogy Charter Grade popper as well as flies. They have also been doing well with 7” soft plastics rigged with a weighted swim bait hook. The live bait bite is still going strong too with mackerel the preferred bait. The residing large schools of pogies are now on the move another indicator that the run is gaining steam. The night bite with eels has been good with bass of 20 pounds and up, even if there has not necessarily been a lot of stripers. Now that school is back in session there is less angling pressure during the week. This Labor Day weekend is promising and it should only get better from here on out!
Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont Fishing Forecast
Cooler river temperatures have improved fishing among the Piscatagua River, Saco River and Webhannet River. Bump up your odds even further by focusing on the mouths of rivers. As long as pogies remain in place, those schools are where anglers need to focus for the biggest, baddest bass. Offshore options include tuna from footballs to giants and haddock for those looking to drop a jig onto the slopes of Southern Jeffrey’s Ledge. Just make sure you don’t bungle the retrieve lest you lose your hard-won haddock to a blue shark!
Summer isn’t even officially over and already we are back to getting week old ‘forecasts’. Hard not to feel that we really are ignored or forgotten here in Northern New England.