With big schools of pogies just southward and big bass on them, things could be setting up for a repeat of the epic fishing of last year. Recent east winds have also blown in mackerel which many are putting to good use off area beaches.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters continues to have a memorable groundfishing season, with most trips limiting out on haddock with the addition of cusk for the cooler. He’s been spending time on the Prong as well as up on top of Jeffrey’s Ledge. Drifting between 170-180 feet has been the strike zone, punctuated with occasional deep drops in 190-210’ depths. There’s also been a consistent bite of pollock on inner and outer Pigeon Hill. Mackerel are out front beyond the Piscataqua River watershed. Drifting a mack throughout the river or trolling them along area beaches is producing striped bass, with the latter habitat expected to only get better.
Regarding better, Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing said that Inshore striped bass – including fish approaching 50” – made a brief appearance along the coast but are now largely in the lower portion of the Piscataqua River. Mackerel have become scarce of late, and because of that, some suspect the fish are finding easier pickings in the River. Outgoing tide, from Memorial Bridge to lower Navy Yard, has been good. Pollock are now the backup bait, with fingers crossed, the abundant offshore mackerel push in.
Offshore, the unusually cold water temps – barely over 50 and struggling to climb beyond that – seem to be extending the superb haddock fishing. 5+ lb fish on a regular basis. Cusk and reds remain in the mix, too. The cold water seems to be keeping the dogfish at bay, allowing clams to be used effectively. Porbeagle sharks are still a daily presence. Tuna fishing is slow, especially for the “bait and wait” fleet. The skipper suspects that the cold water is prompting the fish to stay higher in the water column, which might explain the relative success of bar trollers early on.
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
Jack from Saco Bay Tackle Company told me that the ocean front is fishing better now that the herring runs are drying up. Pine Point has been productive as has Camp Ellis, with the jetties fishing especially well. Sandworms have been the go-to bait, and as for lures, Whip-it-Eels are killing it. Mackerel are a tough find, but early risers are getting them by the Saco Bay islands.
Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard told me Parsons Beach and Drakes Island have received a slug of 24-30” stripers. The salt pond by Parson’s has been especially good. One angler has been religiously chunking mackerel at Drakes and catching low 30” fish. Upstream sections of the Mousam River have been favorable for a topwater bite, with fish also falling for paddletails. The action has been coinciding with sundown.
Diamond Pass Outfitters‘ Captain Lou Tirado was exhausted, yet happy when we spoke, after a busy week which included plenty of striped bass. The fishing has picked up and they are seeing more numbers of fish, and some different size classes as well. The bass are still locked in on herring, but mackerel are starting to filter into Saco, Casco, and other bays just in time for Father’s Day weekend. Most of the crew’s fish are coming on soft plastics, primarily the Albie Snax XL, but they are getting some to take down topwaters. Glide baits and jointed swimmers are also getting it done. Fish can be found in the rivers, up on the sand flats, and they are still getting them in the marshes. With the arrival of mackerel, Lou’s expecting more bass to be out front on the beaches as well.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
With inshore bait beginning to transition from herring to mackerel, the expectation is that ocean fronts will top rivers as the best bass spots soon. A mackerel drifted throughout the Piscataqua River should get striper smacked. The jetties off Camp Ellis are ideal for chunking, while Saco Bay and Casco Bay are beginning to produce for soft plastic stick baits and topwater plugs. Cool offshore temperatures are keeping haddock on top of the ledges and dogfish at bay.