Folks weren’t the only ones succumbing to the full effects of last week’s heat wave, the striped bass action took a dip also. However with the recent onshore winds and subsequent drop in water temps the feeling is that the bass will be in the mood to feed again!
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Captain Jon Tregea of Sea Run Charters has been sticking to stripers on the flats among bays in and out of the Piscatagua River watershed. His main quarry has been schoolie to small keeper striped bass on the fly rod. The cow contagion of a week ago has slipped and it is felt the culprit may have been the full moon/heat wave one-two punch. The captain is optimistic however that the drop in water temperatures from the east winds and rain will bring on the bigger bass once again.
Pogies remain plentiful and just like last week picking a school being shadowed by the predators matters big time. Hans of Suds N’ Soda said that there are scads of squid in Portsmouth, New Castle and Kittery.
I know of a few Bay State anglers who are taking the trip to Portsmouth for flounder! While pogies pose no problem, stripers are not a sure thing making a search mission often necessary.
Jeffrey’s is jamming for haddock but be prepared to cull through the dogs to get to the groundfish.
Southern Maine Fishng Report
Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard said that the great action dropped off last week a bit with the moon and heat wave. Better fish are being caught early morning with pogies or late at night with dark colored SP Minnows. Areas with oxygenated, white water which border drop-offs are fishing best. She mentioned Marginal Way and Cape Porpoise area as an example of bigger bass spots, while shallower habitat in Wells Harbor may be better for schoolies.
For a cool change, Jeffrey’s Ledge and groundfishing beckons but be prepared to encounter a few pesky dog fish. Edges hold the most haddock and there have been a smattering of wolfish (must be released) and even sub-legal halibut! Captain Luis Tirado of Diamond Pass Charters found the heat wave/full moon of last week less than thrilling and apparently so did the fish! While we’ve lost the moon, the heat is expected to come back so it’d be a good idea to indulge in the advantageous conditions while they last. It has been a simple case of being in the right place at the right time to find the fish. To cover a lot of water and eliminate unproductive water, Lou’s taken to trolling the trusty tube-and-worm. Once found you can then focus more on a specific area with other wares.
Mornings have been most productive with fun schoolie action on flats and ledge edges. Go-to flies among the flats have been crab and shrimp patterns while hollows and dragon tails have been luckier among the ledges.
Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont Fishing Forecast
Schoolie surface action remains commonplace throughout Portsmouth through the Piscatagua River and into Little Bay. Pogies remain plentiful and are the key to catching cows but you’ll have to pick around to find just the right school. Fly fishing the flats in Southern Maine has been nothing short of fun with the rocks/ledges holding better bass especially for those with a pogy on the line!
How’s the striper and flounder bite off hampton
Not a single strike in the Portland harbor area on Tuesday in the cooler weather. Saw a few large jumps out in the bay and had some follows up to the surface, but nothing else.
So much information about Vermont once again! What a joke!
I would suggest that since VT does not have any ocean side locations AND all this site cares about presently is salt water, that you’re SOL. Maybe in the early fall when the stripers and other “targets of opportunity” have disappeared, you may finally be recognized. At least, for a month or two. LOL
Do you ever actually include Vermont in your report? Other than occasionally Champlain?
How’s the fishing at Ogunquit Maine?
Heading to York/Kennebunkport area this thursday for a week, hoping to catch some stripers on the surf. Anyone have any intel or reports of people catching any fish in those areas?
Thanks!