Stripers are most often caught either in rivers supporting herring runs, beachfronts where they are feeding on sand eels, or offshore a bit as they engage in migration mode. Mackerel remain in abundance and are the surefire way to tempt a strike.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
According to Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing, striped bass are still in tight to the beaches early, and around the rocky adjacent points later in the day. The size of the fish ranges from slot up through mid-40”. The Piscataqua River is still fishing well, also, especially from the Rte 95 bridge to below the Navy yard. Mackerel are still solid at the 2KR Buoy, along the Ledges, and at the Shoals.
Tuna talk remains thin with the closures, but several folks were catching/releasing on Scantum last weekend amidst the whales. Those who care about Charlie hope the boats are careful and swim the fish until they’ve regained color and vigor before release. There have also been an inshore ledge appearance of 8’ on average Thresher sharks, which when harvested conservatively, make for great eating. The sharks are following the mackerel schools.
Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters is still pounding really large pollock, but it sometimes takes sampling the goods at the Prong, Pigeon Hill, the Curl, and the Narrows before those hard-charging groundfish are found. Most agree, however, that the effort is worth it.
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
Ben from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard told me that there are still big bass up to 52” thrilling anglers off the Maine coast. Some best bets have been York Harbor and Gilbert’s Beach. Macks can be caught about a mile out from Wells Harbor. Specific spots where anglers are catching the bait are Wood Island and York Ledge. Anglers working eels as well as soft plastic stick baits are catching some of the biggest bass to be found in estuaries and marshes at night.
In spite of Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters taking a badly needed pause from guiding, he still sent in a report. Higgins Beach has been hot, and Scarborough Marsh productive. The best bite appears to be either right onshore or about a mile offshore, where migrating fish are being intercepted as they follow bait. In addition to mackerel, Yo-Zuri Hydro Pencils, Docs, and Albie Snax are catching fish. The average-sized fish is hovering around slot size or slightly larger.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
River herring fry continue to make the Piscataqua River productive. Bass are on the move off beaches with York, Biddeford Pool and Higgins among the hottest. Groundfishing remains a strong option with big pollock sometimes mixing in a heady combination of pleasure and pain.