Air temperatures aren’t the only things that are hot in New Hampshire, as striper success is spread out among tributaries, the Piscataqua River, and the ocean front. Downeast anglers are enjoying inshore schools of mackerel and trolling them up close and over ledge for linesiders. Groundfishing remains a noteworthy option with the action so good, the occasional dogfish is not even considered a bother.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
According to Captain Bob of Seacoast NH Sportfishing, stripers close to the coast are feeding on herring fry moving downstream from spawning habitat. Mackerel chunks around Hampton Shoals Ledge have been effective for solid stripers as well. Drifting mackerel over structure in the Piscataqua River is working well also. As to the size of the fish, it is spread out with specimens approaching 50” likely to be caught anywhere among those options. Mackerel remain easy pickings along the coastal ledges, Isles of Shoals, and offshore. Ground fishing remains consistent for haddock and increasingly pollock, with the addition of jumbo whiting. As for dogfish, numbers seem to vary from day to day.
Bluefin tuna fishing has come on strong. Impressive surface feeds from the Isles of Shoals to Boone Island on pogies are becoming more frequent. A colleague of Bob’s live-lined a pogy for striped bass at the Isles of Shoals on Wednesday and soon after was pricing a bulk spool of braid after having been spooled by Charlie. The skipper had a brief hookup at Boone Island but did not stay connected. On Jeffreys, a steady bite has developed, with seemingly every fish over 100″. On an unfortunate note, two mega-seiners with accompanying spotter plane were operating on Scantum on Wednesday: what had been a whale mecca and tuna option is now barren of life.
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
If Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters had to sum up the bite, he would say, “stay out of front”! From Wells to Portland, the fish are setting up shop on beach fronts, ledges, and around the islands. This is not totally surprising given that bait is plentiful and water temperatures are ideal. Typical of this time of year, the fish can be particular, making matching the approximate size and shape of the prey pivotal. The fish are still feeding on sand eels in the wash, and Brit herring and mackerel just off the shoreline. Daytime the best producing lures have been the Albie Snax XL in Olive, Point Jude metals with a bucktail dressed siwash, and live mackerel. Fly guys such as the distinguished captain have been getting it done with mush mouths and Popovic’s Jiggy. As one would expect in the heat of the summer, the night bite has been the most consistent, and the code a little easier to crack. Live eels and GTs thrown towards shore and worked slowly back to the boat have been deadly.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Downstream areas of herring run tributaries of the Piscataqua River system are holding bass that are taking advantage of the hapless prey. The ubiquitous mackerel drifted along the structure of the river is working well as is targeting schools of mackerel near inshore ledges as well as the Isles of Shoals. The ocean front from Wells through Portland features the right stuff – bait and water temperatures – and remains a best bet for daytime Downeast anglers. Groundfishing remains good with haddock, pollock and jumbo whiting all part of the catch.
Which Scantum – Old or New – was hit by the seiners?