The almost overnight presence of mackerel has been a boost for those targeting bigger bass. While rivers are still running hot, there are a few fish now taken from ocean fronts. Haddock fishing remains impressive with those having the beam and the seam in the weather taking advantage of it!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing said that while bass are still feeding on micro bait along the beaches, the now prevalent mackerel are a better bet, particularly for the 40″+ fish that have come in recently. The fish are moving, so anglers should keep going until they find action. Offshore groundfishing continues to be excellent most days. Many haddock of 5+ lbs and at least one exceeding 10 early in the week. Quality reds and cusk are mixed in. Dogfish have stayed at bay since a first showing two weeks back, probably due to the ocean struggling to crest 50 degrees. In that cold water probeagle sharks are a daily presence. 54″+ and good eating should you desire. A few tuna have been hooked on the troll, but the cold water seems to be holding them off for the moment. When they move inshore, the plentiful bait biomass should make for impressive fishing.
Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters has been limiting out on haddock while having to put up with the occasional doggie. The size haddock out there is bigger than in years with specimens taping out from 26” to 29”! The action is on top of Northern Jeffrey’s Ledge, With mackerel now available, the crew is taking advantage of the fresh, native forage. With a big mack on the line, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the crew hooks a halibut! The strike zone has been 210’ of water with “clean” cusk up to 32” coming out to play. Look for mackerel in close with the 2KR Can and Hampton Shoals Ledge worth a look as does the Isles of Shoals. Live macks off Salisbury Beach, Hampton Harbor and throughout the Piscatqua River watershed are all strong options to work a live or chunk mackerel.
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
Knowing that the Mass rivers are running out of herring and bass shadowing them I expected Maine to follow suit but Brandy of Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard told me that that is far from the case! In fact looking out from the backdoor of her home, she’s been spotting bass pounding herring in the Saco River. The real deal will obviously work as will a tube-and-worm and mackerel which are now more readily available. Clams in the Kennebunk River have been working well as have paddletails. There have been schoolie surface feeds near the Cliff House.
Gavin from Saco Bay Tackle Company echoed much of the previous report in that rivers holding herring are the best option at the moment. Bone SP Minnows have been effective as has white soft plastic stick baits. Some are cruising out toward the islands of Saco Bay and finding mackerel, especially early in the morning. The anglers catching the most macks are using size 10-12 Sabiki Rigs with either gold flash or UV hues.
Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters told me that the fishing is paralleling the water temperatures – it’s getting better! Anglers in the Casco Bay Area are starting to see fish pushing further down stream towards the river mouths, and spilling over into the shallow bays and marshes. The bait of choice is still river herring, but some bass appear to be foraging on grass shrimp at the edges of sod banks. As more mackerel move in the open ocean will be more productive. As to best bets, Lou’s tip is to fish the rivers during an outgoing tide or to work the grass banks in the area on the incoming.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Striper fortunes are in a state of flux as river herring begin moving from upstream spawning areas more towards the mouths of the rivers as they prepare to exit those watersheds. Should dams such as the Saco Dam no longer be fruitful, check out downstream areas or nearby marshes where fish may be feeding on grass shrimp. Mackerel have moved in closer and are making for excellent bass and ground fishing bait. A few schoolie surface feeds have been taking place off beaches. The groudfishing continues to be among the highlights with haddock reminiscent of a bygone era.