Offshore pogy schools are attracting quite the show with stripers, bluefish, and tuna all joining in on the chew. Inshore, however, is not to be ignored, as there have been big bass caught in very skinny water; it just requires more patience.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters is hurrying his ride to be back in the game after a mechanical snafu. Stay tuned for when the skipper splashes back in. Meanwhile, because he’s among the addicted, he’s keeping his finger on the pulse of salty happenings in New Hampshire and thankfully keeping us updated. The big news in the Granite State is an influx of small pogies which have gathered among offshore ledges. The volume of bait out there is keeping schools of big bass farther out than most would appreciate. Finding the fleet that has found the bait and the bass has been the key for many a hookup. There has been a bluefish presence out there as well. Mackerel, which can be found by the 2KR Can as well as Hampton Shoals Ledge, are proving to be just the thing to tempt a takedown from the bass shadowing the pogy schools. Northern New England is mirroring what’s happening in Massachusetts in that tuna have been tearing through the pogy schools, resulting in tackle failure for all except those toting tuna-grade gear.
Southern and Coastal Maine Fishing Report
Ben from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard told me that the striper bite has been more favorable now that water temperatures have dropped to more striper-friendly temperatures. Southern-facing shorelines have been especially productive. Pogy schools have shown up within a mile of Wells Harbor with humps holding both bait and bass. Cape Porpoise also has pogies and prowling bass. Mackerel as well as X Raps are working well for anglers trolling them off York, Biddeford Pool and Kennebunkport.
Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters said most successful anglers are working offshore schools of pogies among ledges where there are bass and bluefin tuna. Sad stories are beginning to pile up of unprepared anglers getting spooled or having hooks straightened out by tuna. While no guarantees, you can hedge your bets more for bass when the tide is cooking, while slack tends to favor tuna. During surface feeds, Doc spooks are working, as are Albie Snax XLs and 3 once Al Gag’s Whip-it-Fish. Live pogies are working best for bluefin, with the most consistent bite between the LNB Buoy and out to Tantas Ledge. Fortunately, inshore is not a total bust with ideal water temperatures and sand eels and mackerel occasionally resulting in surface feeds in the Casco Bay Region.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
With plentiful pogies hovering around offshore ledge, the bass bite has been best beyond the Isles of Shoals and beyond the LNB Buoy in Maine. Those packing pelagic proof tackle are landing tuna while bass fishers are meeting their match. While less predictable rivers/estuaries such as the Saco River and Scarborough Marsh have ideal water temperatures and ample forage, making them close-in alternatives.