The hope is that the high winds from Erin are not winds of change because the fishing has been pretty good. While mackerel have been an easy find some are finding that squid or sand eel imitators are the better bass bait. Offshore offings now are weighted more to pollock than haddock which is just fine for those who appreciate the fight over the fillets.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
There are no shortage of striped bass swimming near Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters boat at Great Bay Marina but you’d never know it if you stuck with mackerel. The fish seem to be spoiled by the swarms of squid that they are feeding on. Swapping the mackerel for the ubiquitous squid has allowed a few anglers to crack the code and catch slot and larger fish. Macks however do make for the perfect groundfish bait for everything from haddock to halibut to the very prevalent pollock which have taken over Platts, Scantum and Jeffrey’s. The good news for bait lovers is that cooler than usual ocean temperatures seem to have moved dogfish away. Nineteen to 26” silver hake have been rounding out the catch making for an impressive cooler and full bags patrons are disembarking with.
Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing reports that striped bass up to mid-40” are a reliable catch along the coast. From the skipper’s perspective it is easy fishing as the mackerel are along the coastal ledges and not a lot of fuel involved to find them. However, the Hampton ledges seem to have quieted as of late. The most consistent action continues to be the Piscataqua River, from the General Sullivan Bridge seaward. The late stages of the flood thru the early ebb have been best. As expected, squid imitations or the real deal are killing it. Thankfully there is the inshore option because the ocean front will be a mess for a while. Bob’s take on offshore groundfishing echoes Captain Andy’s – dwindling haddock but plenty of pollock and solid whiting. While the rec. tuna closure was a body blow to charter captains, the altruistic angler is trusting the science. There are some rec. fish popping up on pogy schools in Ipswich Bay, but very little pressure on them. Giants continue to be a steady if unremarkable bite on both Scantum and Jeffreys. The latter varies from fishable to sharknado depending on the day. As for bait, those mega-whiting are what Charlie craves for dinner!
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
Ben from Webhannet Bait and Tackle told me that the tube-and-worm was the trick in the Webhannet River as well as Cape Neddick and Cape Porpoise. There are no worries if mackerel are your priority as they are close to shore as well near current eddies adjacent to islands. As herring fry tumble from the tailwater of the runs, river mouths such as at the Saco are always worth a try. Sand eels are more of a forage fixture this season making Slug-Gos and other stick baits lethal for linesiders – especially near the sandy flats of beaches.
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The word from Captain Lou of Diamond Pass Outfitters is that a shift is in the works for sure. The bite out front varies from day to day, making the call in the morning a gamble: “does one stay inside and assume the bass are eating sand eels in the morning, or does one venture offshore a mile or so and hope the fish are eating mackerel?” It’s 50/50 each day and for those looking for a challenge it is a rush! Inside the fish are not fussy early but once the sun’s up they slink off to deep water necessitating that anglers follow. When that happens deep-dropping mackerel off Casco Bay ledges does the trick. When found offshore the fish are frenzied and willing to take down a topwater such as a spook but for numbers stick to soft plastic stick baits such as Albie Snax. Tube-and-wormers are doing well by tracing shoreline/island structure and river banks.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Once the wind and weed subside the ocean-front bite should continue with deep-dropping mackerel working well as will the trusty tube-and-worm, Meanwhile rivers offer a respite from the rollers yet also serve up a reliable striper bite in the Piscataqua and Saco Rivers. While usually a mack snack is too much for any self-respecting striper to resist, there are times when fussy fish focus completely on squid or sand eels. In addition to sabiki rigs pack along sand eel imitators and maybe a squid jig while you’re at it. The prepared angler is usually the most successful one.