The emergence of mackerel as more of an inshore presence is resulting in ledges holding more linesiders. However, a bump in sand eel numbers is drawing mixed reviews. On the one hand, more food for bass is more for the better, but it can make those fish a bit fussy!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
A huge congrats to Nate Janeiseki who on June 27th caught what could be considered the fish of multiple lifetimes – a 73”, 200-pound halibut! For generations of New Englanders, a big halibut was considered the sportfishing version of the Holy Grail. Janeiseki caught it while fishing on The Scout, captained by Mike Cleary, out of Portsmouth, NH. The giant flatfish struck a cod fly tipped with a 1” squid strip in 220’ of water. It was initially thought that Nate hung bottom, but soon that bottom turned into a three-long-run, 30-minute battle and a landing that required three gaffs! It’s nice to know that at the end of any given drop, such a beast is possible.
Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters came good news about mackerel, which have suddenly become omnipresent and easy to catch. From the 2KR can to Hampton Shoal Ledge and out to the Isles of Shoals macks should be no problem. Thanks to the Piscataqua and Merrimack Rivers, those macks are invaluable as stripers find them irresistible. Fish up to the lower 40” have been cooperative, especially during the final stages of the flood and through slack tide. The Fort Constitution area has been one of the captain’s most productive spots. With such easy pickings, Captain Andy is loading up on macks on the way out to the groundfish grounds where haddock are hitting well as pollock. Northern Jeffrey’s Ledge has been the pick lately, with high spots as shallow as 138’ fishing well. Pigeon Hill and the Prong have been good with the latter holding whiting too. For tuna chasers, that’s good news because where there’s whiting, there’s often bluefin.
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
The story of the week, as told to me by Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard, had to be the “kid shows a porbeagle whose boss” tale. Eleven-year-old Tawny hooked a porbeagle with a sabiki rig – of all things – and somehow managed to reel it in! I’m not sure which 4000 reel he was using, but it sure has a heck of a drag. Ben had some more likely news when we spoke, along with reports of excellent action for bass with live mackerel accounting for much of the action. Sandy pockets around the ledge have been holding bass from 35-50” long. Beaches have been best with Biddeford Pool, Wells Beach, and Ogunquit fishing well. The tube-and-worm has been good, especially at the mouths of rivers such as the Saco, Mousam, and Kennebunk. As for lures, the Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper has been among the most effective. A few pogy reports are trickling in as well.
Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company told me that Tantas Ledge is increasingly holding haddock, making the shorter haul from most ports appreciated. Mackerel have been easily found with encouraging reports from Richmond Island and Wood Island. Those macks have been put to good use off Camp Ellis, Cape Elizabeth, Biddeford Pool, and Fortunes Rocks Beach. Anglers have also been catching bass on SP Minnows and Kastmasters right off the Portland Harbor commercial pier.
Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters said that in the Casco Bay Area, bass have been feeding heavily on small sand eels in the rivers, which, while exciting to see, is resulting in finicky fish. The ticket seems to be small flies or large soft plastics, which stand out from the pack. Out front, the mackerel are still plentiful, and the bass are on them as well. Fishing around the ledges and the islands is producing a good pick of healthy bass, also. Reports of some bite-offs in the Yarmouth/Falmouth area are beginning to come in, which usually means small bluefish or perhaps small bonito biting off sabiki rigs. With sweet weather predicted over the foreseeable future, the fishing should only get better.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
The mackerel surge is paying off in better bass fishing in the Piscataqua River as well as the Merrimack River. Downeast beaches such as Oguinquit, Camp Ellis, and Biddeford Pool are fishing well for those trolling mackerel, which can be found near the islands. Pogy reports are beginning to come in, as are random bite-offs, which probably means there are a few blues around. Groundfishing remains the attractive alternative to all things striper, with haddock the focus, along with the ever-present possibility of a halibut looming large. Enjoy the Fourth of July, folks!