The onward march of migratory stripers continues with slots the predominant size. A few mackerel are now in the mix, which is a tease of what’s to come. There is also some encouraging groundfish news with catches inching a little closer to shore.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Not that he’s complaining but Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters sometime feels that he’s stuck in the red – redfish that is! Swarms of these unique bottom dwellers are so thick in parts of Jeffrey’s Ledge that his crew can’t escape them. This is highly unusual for late May and is more reminiscent of March than now, which is probably an indication that water temperature is cooler than usual. This might also explain the tough go it is to catch mackerel. Fortunately, haddock are still cooperative with The Fingers, The Curl, and Pigeon Hill all holding numbers of fish! Thus far, dogfish are not the curse they will be in a month from now, making bait still the best choice. Slot-size stripers dominate the striper scene, with herring runs in Great Bay a best bet to catch a bass. Little Bay has fish, also with feeding fish observed under the marina lights. Next up for the skipper is Platt’s Ledge, where he expects to have a more varied groundfishing report with the hopes that even a halibut will come out to play.
According to Captain Bob Weathersby of Seacoast NH Sportfishing beachfronts are starting to get some surface feeds, but the bait is tiny and the stripers are fussy. A better bet is upstream throughout the Piscataqua River watershed, where there are herring runs. Two options are the Lamprey and Oyster Rivers, where bass are in hot pursuit of alewives and blueback herring. These are large prey species, making bigger soft plastics such as Slug-Gos and various paddletails good choices. Once the ocean front clears of the weed brought along by the Nor’easter, marsh entrances on a falling tide, with the warmer water, will hold bait and bass. Offshore still offers very good haddock and red fishing, with steady cusk numbers mixed in. It does pay to move around a bit if the numbers/size are small. Dogfish are starting to show, as are more consistent pollock. Dogfish will soon be a sign to shift from clams to cod flies or grubs above a jig. With better weather on the horizon, there just might be the first bluefin and bass on the troll report!
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Ben from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard told me that striper numbers are improving in both the Saco River and Webhannet River. Wells Harbor is beginning to hold some stripers as well. Finally, there’s word of a few mackerel out front, but they are large specimens, with some measuring 18” long! Slug-Gos in alewife hues have been among the hottest offerings especially by the Saco River Dam. A fly fisher working Clousers has been picking up sea run browns out of the Kennebunk River. Platt’s Bank is the pick for the best local groundfish.
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Zach from Saco Bay Tackle Company had some encouraging news for those looking to groundfish but don’t have the beam to make it farther offshore. It seems as if a few haddock are beginning to come in close with Tantas Ledge the talk of a few anglers. For a surer bet, Jeffrey’s and Platt’s still rank higher. Zach has been consistently catching stripers courtesy of natural-hued Gravity Tackle Paddletails. Outgoing tide has been best in the York River, Saco River, Mousam River, Spurwink River, and Higgins Beach. Shad fishing is strong in the Saco River, with both darts and streamers accounting for a lot of fish. There’s been no word on flounder, possibly because of the weather. Flounder prefer sunny, tranquil conditions with water temperatures of at least 50 degrees – all factors which have been in limited supply as of late.
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
Once seas settle, expect a surge in striper numbers if for no other reason than more anglers will be giving it a go! Marsh/beach fronts which border herring runs will be productive, as will the tailwater of herring runs. Once mackerel become more of a factor, harbors and bays will begin to hold more fish. Groundfishing remains good, with some signs that inshore ledges are beginning to catch fire. Pelagic pursuers are hoping that more moderate conditions will call in the cavalry, and tuna will once again be the talk of offshore!
