Pogy numbers are not what they were a week or two ago, but anglers are still catching plenty of striped bass. When found, mackerel have been money but others are eschewing bait and opting for lures and doing just fine. Offshore, pollock fishing has really come into it’s own just make sure you crank your prize in quickly since there are a lot of sharks on the prowl.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
According to Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing the incessant rain has moved enough freshwater out of tributaries/rivers to push the pogies out to deeper water, at least for the time being. Mackerel are still readily available from coastal ledges (spikes),and Isles of Shoals (mixed macks). In spite of the outward movement of the pogies, those mackerel are keeping the stripers in check with slots and up dominating the year classes although the mega surface feeds have quieted down. As for tuna, they are mostly giants and are moving around quite a bit between Scantum and Jeffreys.
Captain Andy of Adventure & Catch Charters told me of a friend who caught a 60” halibut on Cashes Ledge which took a cod jig in 100’ of water! Andy is no stranger to the king of the flatfishes and knows the where and how to catch them himself. Should you be interested in catching one of these legendary beasts than contact the captain, I have a hunch he has a plan! Andy’s personal highlight has been awesome Platt’s Ledge pollock fishing for fish up to 37”! If you stick in close by Boone Island or the Mudhole you’re likely to find mackerel, redfish and silver hake. A few haddock have been found at inner Pigeon Hill and the Curl. Those spots have also been giving up some impressive pollock; it’s definitely shaping up to be prolific pollock fishing for the foreseeable future! If you yearn to catch a shark than now is the time to hit those offshore ledges as the volume of porbeagles and other sharks is impressive.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
While hardly unusual for Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard to give me a report, this time she is part of the report! She and her husband Scott tag-teamed a 48” striper from the Saco River on Sunday. The accomplishment was all the more special since they caught it on a tube-and-worm in the afternoon just as the tide turned! Mackerel are scarce and hit or miss with the Hump just outside Wells Harbor one of the better spots. When found the mackerel are usually up high in the water column. Bib Rock has been solid for stripers as has Foot Bridge Beach in Ogunquit. The latter spot has produced 40” fish recently on clams. A few flounder have been caught in the Kennebunk River and out front off area beaches the night crew has been catching cows on “blurple” Yo-Zuri swimmers. Offshore the haddock bite has picked up on Northern Jeffrey’s Ledge in 160’ of water and there’s even been a short halibut taken there!
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New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
While the wait is on for deepwater pogies to return to the coast, some anglers are making due with the trusty tube-and-worm as well as swimmers from the surf. Mackerel remain a fixture near the Isles of Shoals while farther offshore pollock are walloping jigs on Jeffrey’s Ledge. If you’re in the mood to battle a shark than your timing as good as numbers of porbeagles and even threshers is on the rise.
Once again why are you featuring guys holding giant striped bass when the upper limit is 31″. They shouldn’t be handled if they are going to be released. Shame on them and you if they aren’t released as required!