Mackerel are proving to be the MVP of the fall as both Granite Staters and Downeasterners are finding that they are the key to catching bass, groundfish, and tuna. While beaches are getting most of the linesider love, don’t discount Maine rivers, where the bait has been found by the bass.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
According to Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing, while anglers are still not seeing surface feeds along the beach, striper aces slow-trolling live mackerel just outside the breakwater is evidence they are there. This is happening along all three of Rye’s beaches. Word is that the Piscataqua River is slowing a bit, so even with mid-60 degree surface temps, it seems the migration is underway. Rye Harbor has been plugged with bait this last week, drawing in some mixed-class fish right to the main dock. Just be forewarned that there is no fishing allowed from the dock. Bob expects that the elevated swell will shut down the coastwise bite for a few days, but with some westerly wind thereafter, things should rekindle.
Mackerel appear to be everywhere! Smaller ones can be found along the coastal ledges and harbor mouths, with tuna snack-sized ones at the Shoals, as well as the offshore Ledges. Bluefin fishing was slow during the closure, with Captain Bob marking only one fish at the NW corner of Scantum and again at Boone Island. Sadly, this will be the last invaluable addition from the captain to this report for the season! While a long way until next spring, I look forward to reconnecting with him once again then.
There will be no such break from Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters for the immediate future, as he’s been pounding pollock on the Prong. The crew occasionally gets distracted by tuna taking flight all around them. Cusk have been a consolation prize with the action centered around 180’ of water. The omnipresent mackerel are making for ideal, fresh bait!
Coastal Maine Fishing Report
Ben from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard said that conditions are about perfect for fishing, with plenty of stripers and not many anglers. Rivers that hold herring fry are beginning to dry up, with fish on the move and off beaches and shoreline/island ledge. A few of the hits have been off York, the south side of Nubile Lighthouse, and by Brave Boat Harbor. Anglers are having an easy go of finding mackerel, with many of them having success with this striper candy. As for a quick cod and possibly a pollock, cusk, or haddock, Bibb Rock and Tantas Ledge are two convenient close-in spots worth a look.
Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters said that fishing now is in a true-to-form fall pattern. Rivers have become red hot as schools of striped bass have found the piles of bait. Jumpin Minnows, Albie Snax, and Zoom Super Flukes have been killing it. The average fish is a fun-sized 27-32”. Beach fronts are holding fish, as well as they feed on sand eels and mackerel. Anglers opting for larger offerings are doing best there with big soft plastics, pencil poppers, and Docs bringing on the bite. Lou emphasized that the solid topwater bite is making a lot of anglers happy.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Mackerel remain plentiful, with anglers trolling them just off the Rye Beaches doing well. The previously reliable Piscataqua River has gone quiet, which is proof that the migration is in full swing. Those same macks are proving to be the perfect snacks for groundfish and tuna off the Prong and Scantum. Inverse of New Hampshire, rivers in Maine are fishing better now as the bass have finally found all the bait. Beaches and ledges are holding bigger bass, with anglers pumped thanks to a terrific topwater bite.