Rivers are still reliable but more often now at night, with anglers doing well with eels and big soft plastic stick baits. Beaches are fishing more consistently with anglers who are able to identify the prey doing most of the catching.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing repots that striped bass continue to be regular targets in the Piscataqua River, with the stretch from the Rte 95 bridge down to the wastewater treatment plant especially productive. Drifting live mackerel has been working best. There are also good numbers of slot to slob-sized fish along the beaches, especially early in the morning. Once again, slow trolling live mackerel has been the ticket. As there is still a lot of brown weed along the shore leftover from Erin, running a small treble from the leader connection can keep the bait clean a bit longer. Mackerel are readily available along the coastal ledges as well as the Isles of Shoals.
Bluefin continue to provide a regular, if not spectacular, bite across Scantum and Jeffreys, with the NE corner of Scantum probably producing the most fish. The word is out, however, so expect a crowd. Blue sharks are still an issue; hopefully, a diminishing one as the water temps fall. There are a lot of increasingly large pollock for the ground fishermen, along with cusk and some cod. Haddock seem to have moved into deeper water, as those hitting soft bottom in the 230+’ range are still finding good fishing.
While ordinarily a compassionate captain, Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters has been showing a cruel streak. How else can one explain his compulsion to put his crew onto double-digit numbers of pollock up to 51 pounds! I cannot remember the last time I heard of a “Boston bluefish” that big – if at all. The Prong, Curl, and Pigeon Hill have been among the most fruitful as he finds the fish often suspended under sea herring and mackerel. Flashy jigs and teasers are getting it done with strips of mackerel sweetening the offerings. Cod can be found a lot closer to irregular ground in the Isles of Shoals area. Macks are a cinch with the 2KR Can and Hampton Shoals Ledge holding mackerel. Live or chunk mackerel off Wallis Sands Beach has been effective.
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
According to Captain Lou of Diamond Pass Outfitters, the anglers who are doing the best have adopted a run-and-gun mindset. With bass on the move, yesterday’s bite is often in a different place today! Now is the time for a full tank of fuel or comfortable waders for the shore contingent. Rivers are a lot less reliable, with the exception being for those fishing at night with stick baits and live eels. If daylight is more to your liking than beaches, such as Higgins, Moody, Old Orchard, and York, are your best option. Should you have the wherewithal to find mackerel, trolling them along beach ledges has been very effective. Elsewhere, sand eels remain a primary forage, making pearl/white Slug-Gos, 7” Albie Snax, and Ron Zs getting it done when the fish are in 20’ of water or less. Migrating bass can also be found in much deeper water and have been found pushing mackerel and sea herring towards the surface. This is pretty exciting stuff with big spooks, pencils, and larger soft plastics garnering explosive topwater takedowns. A hint that this might be in play is to watch for larger predatory birds such as Great Blackback Gulls or Gannets, which can dispatch the larger prey.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Rivers are still a solid option, but more often than not only for anglers working eels and ersatz imitators at night. Beaches are more likely to be productive as striped bass remain on the run and reward those anglers who keep on the move. Close to shore, sand eels are what’s for dinner, while just offshore, big bass are pushing mackerel and sand eels. Groundfishing remains a solid option with big, punishing pollock the primary prize.