For all but a few exceptions, striped bass will outlast those who pursue them this month! While the bulk of the remaining bass are schoolies, there will be cows caught which will be measured in pounds and not inches.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Captain Jon Tregea of Sea Run Charters took a well-deserved respite from running charters for false albacore in Buzzards Bay over the last few weeks and he found – fantastic fishing for stripers in the Piscatagua River! The upper levels of the watershed have been best for schoolies which are preying on small forage much of which is juvenile river herrring. Stick to smallish flies and paddletail soft plastics which imitate the tiny forage.
The wash off the coast has been a best bet to catch migrating cows on the way out but the rough seas have obviously been a deterrent. When there’s a break in the rollers, a needlefish pug pulled through the wash will work as will a chunk of mackerel. Scott said that although angling effort has dropped off, the catching is still darn good for the few still at it. The latest news is of keeper bass where tributaries are converging with Great Bay. The folks catching are working 12” double-hooked Slug-Gos in low light condtions. Others are taking the short ride to Plum Island where they are spiking rods along the Parker River Wildlife Reservation and catching the occasional keeper on clams.
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for New Hampshire
Southern Maine Fishng Report
Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard said that striper fishing effort is plummeting but the hard core are still having their way with bass. She was out over the weekend and still found fish in the Saco River. Nearby there were others catching as well on a number of small swimmers and soft plastics. Lest you think it’s all a schoolie show, just in is a big bass breakout off Bays View Beach.
Mackerel can still be found but they have moved farther from the shore and now can only be caught from boats.
Of all the reports I was most interested in what Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters had to say. The reason is that we have a mutual friend and I remember well the cows that friend was catching last year in Southern Maine at around this time. This friend was fishing at night off his kayak, casting eels and along with a few friends caught smoking stripers! According to Lou, that game is going on – now! While I don’t know the where, in Massachusetts during October I catch such fish in estuaries and target the shadow lines of bridges. Stripers will lurk just downstream of those shadow lines and pounce on prey as current pushes it into view. Eels are killers but I’ve had similar success with a jig/soft plastic reeled at an angle into the edge of the shadow line. I’ve found that two hours either way of slack tide works best, stripers are not fond of a real strong current. Captain Lou expects another week and a half of consistent fishing so catch ‘em up while you can!
Report where u at?
Well! It’s that time year again! Without any warning, the fishing reports are no longer here.
Just when things are getting good because every fish out there is on a feeding spree in preparation for the winter, this site goes AWOL! At least, the one who handles this part of the web site has done so. Most likely, we won’t see anything until the ice moves in. YEECH!
What a disappointment. Great fall fishing and no one is home. BAH! HUMBUG!
Speaking of reports, I’m interested in personal recommendations for a reputable party boat out of ME, NH or northern MA? I’m looking for solid advice because the Google reviews and trip advisor reviews are really mixed and often nasty. Thanks
Hey Jeff.
Check out our Find A Fishing Charter utility. Just fill out and submit the form and we’ll help you find an OTW vetted and approved charter to meet your needs.
~Ed
Week number three of being abandoned!
Maybe this has become a self service site.
I can tell you that the bass are hitting most anything and that the trout are starting to get more active.
Try the Pemmigiwasit river in nh. Anything from the Aires Dam in Bristol, NH down to Franklin, NH.
I can tell you that Doors Pond at Livingston Park in Manchester, NH is doing well with bass, pickerel and pan fish.
The Sugar River in Claremont, NH has been giving up a few trout, too.
The Connecticut river is a bit hit or miss but is producing bass below the dam in Walpole, NH.
In almost every case I was using night crawlers or dillies. Very few hits on artificials.
I hope that helps all of you in some small way.