Last week the line between holdover striped bass and migrants was fuzzy, but not this week as unquestionably fresh-from-the-sea striped bass have arrived. Groundfishing continues to be excellent with a mixture of haddock, redfish and assorted other dwellers of the deep.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing saw striped bass swimming just south of the Piscataqua River with his hunch that they were ready to travel upstream in search of alewives. Groundfishing continues to be great! The overall size of haddock from Outer Scantum to the Cove is excellent, and the numbers are steady. With surface water temperatures on Jeffrey’s reaching 50 degrees, mackerel should be moving onto the ledge, and with them, tuna! The captain’s intuition is that it may be time to break out a spreader bar.
Not to be outdone, Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters has been having epic outings on Jeffrey’s Ledge. Pictures tell the story of big haddock, along with limits, big redfish, and drag-pulling pollock! His money zone has been between 190 and 205 feet of water and with no dogfish to speak of, the crew is baiting with mackerel, clams and with little worries. Stripers can be seen chasing bait throughout the Piscataqua watershed. However, with such an impressive groundfish haul, just maybe the stripers can wait?
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company said that more than the moon was full recently as around the same time, much of the Maine coastline became full of striped bass! Anglers fishing the Saco River have witnessed stripers pummeling river herring. Fresh fish have been caught on bloodworms in Scarborough Marsh, the Spurwink River, Higgins Beach, and the “Graveyard”. AlbieSnax and 6” Slug-Gos are getting it done. A color choice to consider is white when water clarity is diminished, and natural hues when the water is clearer and the stripers can get a good look at the lure. Platts is the pick of the shop for groundfish.
Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard said that stripers have arrived, with best bets the York River, Saco River, Webhannet River, Mousam River, and Kennebunk River. The latter is also giving up sea run brown trout with Ogunquit and the Mousam other sea run choices. Ogunquit Beach is often also a winner for winter flounder.
Captain Lou of Diamond Pass Outfitters said that migratory bass have made it all the way up to the Casco Bay Area! While it’s a trickle now, with every tide the numbers should swell, with herring runs a best bet to find them. Lou’s pick for an early season offering is a white Ron-Z as well as a Clouser for the fly guys.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
By the day and even the tide, numbers of striped bass will swell exponentially! Hedge your bets by hounding a herring run. As promising as that is, the better option just might be the spectacular groundfishing which is taking place on Jeffrey’s Ledge with Outer Scantum to The Cove drawing rave reviews. Mackerel are beginning to move onto offshore ledges which just might attract bluefin tuna!