Mackerel have moved in close which dovetails nicely for the arrival of more striped bass. Rivers holding herring are running hot and offer the most consistent striper fishing for the time being. Groundfishing remains good with the average size haddock very impressive.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
“All good stuff!”, was the comment from Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters when we spoke. One peak at his pictures removed all questions as to why with the crew catching haddock up to 27”! His tip to others is to keep on the move around Jeffrey’s Ledge until you find what you’re after – redfish, haddock and cusk are there you just have to find the precise“where”1 Exhibit 1 was a recent trip where he found nothing but ledge to ledge redfish with little else in the area until he moved and suddenly the reds were bumped by haddock and cusk. His most recent sweet spot was 154’ on The Prong. On the way out he was able to procure fresh bait as he found mackerel by Whaleback with some as close as the Isles of Shoals. He marked a couple of major fish which his gut tells him is Charlie! As for stripers the herring runs throughout Great Bay continue to hold the mother lode of action as the bait there remains plentiful. Expect the action there to last around 2-3 more weeks.
Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing said that beachfronts are beginning to show surface feeds as stripers take down small prey. Chirping, diving terns have been pointing to where the action is. Haddock fishing for the skipper continues to be strong with plenty of 5+ pound fish in the mix. Outer Scanutum as well as Jeffrey’s remain strong. The party boats are doing well, which makes for an easy spot! Just make sure that if you find them, you give them plenty of room to drift/maneuver. Breaching whales are a sure sign of sea herring and soon – tuna!
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company said that dams close to herring runs are hot! It only makes sense that where anglers find this prized forage, they will find the stripers. Some charter captains have been picking up a few mackerel out by the islands and putting them to good effect in the rivers. Zach has been sticking with 5 1/4” Gravity Tackle paddle tails in yellow, pearl, and natural and catching slot stripers in the Scarborough Marsh area. Others have been doing well in the York River, Mousam River, and Kennebunk River. As for groundfish, as waters warm, more haddock seem to be moving onto Tantas Ledge.
Ben from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard told me some are catching well just south of the shop throughout the Piscataqua River at the tributaries, which hold herring runs, with the Newmarket area getting a nod. Slug-Gos, Savage Sand Eels, and SP Minnows have been getting it done in the Mouam River, the Biddeford Pool area, and Nubble Lighthouse. The tube-and-worm is working well from the Webhanet River out through Wells Harbor. As for groundfish, some anglers have found haddock among inshore ledges within 10 miles of the shore. There are reports of mackerel in the Kittery area.
According to Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters all the fishing really needed was a little sunshine and no rain to get it going. Casco Bay has seen a push of fish move into all of the rivers. The Mousam is fishing well, as is the Saco, the Presumpscot, and the Royal River. Sharpies are reporting good numbers and average size. As elsewhere, the herring runs are the name of the game. With a matching the hatch mentality, they are doing best with soft plastics in the 7-10” range and big streamers tied on jig hooks for the fly guys. With all the river bait, it’s not surprising that the beachfronts are quiet
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
With the bulk of the bass fishing dedicated to the herring runs rivers such as the Oyster, Lamprey, Saco and Mousam are getting most of the linesider love. Since the bait is big, large paddle tails as well as Slug-Gos and SP Minnows have been most effective. With mackerel now out front, expect the next migrational wave to push closer to beaches and islands. Groundfishing remains great with haddock, cusk and redfish all in play on Jeffrey’s Ledge. Breaching whales are a sign that sea herring are moving in and for tuna hunters that’s a sweet sight!