The appearance of squid in the Piscataqua River has resulted in stellar surface feeds with anglers matching the cephalopods, deservedly catching well. With mackerel moving closer, in force, chunking them off Hampton is proving effective while live-lining macks has been more preferred off Camp Ellis.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
According to Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing, while striped bass fishing is holding up along the coast, the rapidly warming water seems to be pushing the bite towards early/late in the day. His word to the wise is to keep bouncing around until you find the fish, as they are wandering. Mackerel are still consistent along the coastal ledges, as well as the Isles of Shoals. You can put those macks to good use on Hampton Shoals Ledge, which is still producing a chunk mackerel fishery. If there is a hot spot for striped bass, it continues to be the Piscataqua River. A mass of squid, along with the young-of-the-year herring and mackerel, is keeping fish in place and well fed. Many days, anglers are seeing bass pushing squid up to the surface for strong surface feeds. Squidtrex and NLBN baits/jigs in root beer have been producing along with mackerel. Offshore groundfishing remains good, although cusk and pollock seem to be outnumbering haddock as the summer progresses. Jig/fly combinations are better than bait as the dogfish have settled in. As for tuna, the area seems to have become the land of the “giant-giants”! Steady numbers of 100+” fish are being landed now, and of course, lost after multi-hour fights. Scantum and Jeffreys are both producing. Sadly, in something of a pattern, an industrial pogy seine scoured those areas during the week: no doubt shutting down that bite for some time. Boone Island is also holding some tuna amidst the offshore striped bass, as attested by striped bass anglers getting spooled this week.
Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters told me that loading up the livewell with fresh macks is as easy as finding the 2KR Can! Some of those macks – tinkers and two-pounders – can be put to good use as close as the Great Bay boat launch. While generally thought of as bait, we forget how much fun macks are to catch – especially for young and inexperienced anglers. Knowing this, Captain Andy is now offering bargain trips for a few hours to exclusively target mackerel. These things are affordable and just plain fun! The skipper has been setting his sights on Platts Ledge and finding solid pollock, redfish, and haddock to 28”! Whiting up to 23” are fair game, and with plenty of sea herring around, Charlie has been taking notice!
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
The sound bubbling from the aerator as I talked to Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company said it all – eels were in hot demand. Some monster striped bass – 50”! – have been taken at night from Goose Rocks Beach in Biddeford on eels. Mackerel caught right from shore in such spots as the Camp Ellis jetty are being live-lined for mixed sizes of bass also. What’s unique this year – and a phenomenon also in Massachusetts – is the bump in sand eel numbers off the Maine coast. Moreover, the fishing off Old Orchard Beach, thanks to that bait, has been impressive. The only rub is that matching the approximate size and shape of the prey is essential, with Albie Snax, Slug-Gos, and Epoxy Jigs working well.
The word from Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters is that the daytime bite is spread out, but they are getting good fishing in the rivers, and out front along the beaches and islands. The night bite has really picked up as well, and they are getting some good fishing in as the tide changes. The fish during the day in the Casco Bay Area are keyed in on small bait (sand eels?) with anglers having their best luck by either opting for something that differs greatly from the bait or by utilizing teasers ahead of metal lips or other swimmers. The night bite has been pretty consistent when using eels, and large soft plastics. Fishers are also getting their soft plastics chomped off – bluefish?
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
With mackerel easily obtained just outside of the Piscataqua River, they are the go-to bait in the river as well as when chunked up by Hampton Shoals Ledge. A surge in sand eels is making for lively fishing for striped bass off Old Orchard. Those who’d prefer fishing at night are getting duly rewarded by big bass off of Goose Rocks on eels. As for offshore, cusk, haddock, redfish, and pollock are all in play at Platts Ledge.
Does Bluefish ever get up around Acadia? I am originally from Long Island, NY and would love to catch some blues! Or even buy some in Hancock County, Maine!