Both the calendar and water temperatures have brought about a significant uptick in striper success. Beaches have joined the river systems where fish can now be found. Offshore, the impressive haddock haul remains with those having a bead on where they are achieving
limits.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Camden of Dover Marine has been having success with herring fly patterns up close to structure at the gateway of the Great Bay herring runs. The key is to time the tide so that upstream riprap and ledge thwart the upward movement of the bait and the bass. Seven to nine-inch Deceivers and Gummy Minnows are patterns that are working. With mackerel in close and more numerous and water temperatures approaching the mid-50 degree range, the bite should continue to improve. There are even some bunker schools around, but no reports of striper predation just yet.
Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters has been finding all the mackerel needed by Murray’s Rock as well as the 2KR Can. Others are scoring the macks at Hampton Shoals Ledge. The skipper has been filleting the macks, which are huge, and putting patrons into bass from 38”-41” by the Portsmouth Yacht Club. Tuna are now present among offshore ledges such as Old Scantum, the Curl, the Cove, and Pigeon Hill. Those same areas are holding haddock with clams, the key to achieving limits.
Southern and Coastal Maine Fishing Report
Gavin from Saco Bay Tackle Company said that a surge in sand eels has collided with the ongoing migration of striped bass, making for some explosive striped bass fishing in the Saco area of Maine. The Mousam River area has also been fishing well. Many anglers are resorting to mackerel for bait, which they are finding near Wood and Richmond Islands. Shad fishing in the Saco has hit its stride during the last two weeks. Squid has been outfishing alternative baits for haddock with the strike zone 220-300’ of water on Jeffrey’s Ledge.
Ben from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard said that the rise in water temperature flipped the switch and brought along far better bass fishing. The Webhannet River has been fishing well, as has the Kennebunkport River. Mackerel have become numerous enough that they are even being caught off area jetties. Sand eels off beaches are adding to the bait mix, leading to some anglers catching off beaches such as Higgins ’ and Moody Beach. Platt’s Ledge has been productive for haddock, with many talking up good fishing and even limits of haddock.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Take advantage of the still-active herring runs in the Oyster and Lamprey Rivers, where stripers are pinning the hapless herring against upstream structure. Mackerel just outside of the Piscataqua River, as well as off Maine jetties, make for ideal striper bait. Should you fancy beachfronts, keep Slug-Gos or Albie Snax handy, which are striper dupers when the forage is slim-profiled.