Recent Fishing in Maine! - Printable Version +- Fishing Forum (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum) +-- Forum: Saltwater Fishing Forum (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=401) +--- Forum: Saltwater Fishing General (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=3) +--- Thread: Recent Fishing in Maine! (/showthread.php?tid=351898) |
Recent Fishing in Maine! - JollyRogerTcbo1 - 07-22-2007 [font "Arial"][black]This is the most recent fishing report for the State of Maine![/black][/font] [font "Arial"][/font] OFFSHORE Groundfishing is what can be expected for this time of year. Haddock catches have been good on the north end of Tantas, especially for those out during the early-morning bite. If you are fishing the inshore humps, be ready to deal with dogfish. Atlantic bluefin tuna are spread out all over with numerous hook-ups reported from the Isle of Shoals to Mt. Desert Rock. Fish have been running in the 50- to mid-60-inch range along with a few large mediums/giants mixed in. Trolling squid rigs lessens the chances of spending the day all "dogged up." To get the 2007 bluefin size, bag and seasons go to: https:// hmspermits.noaa.gov/News.asp#news247. Porbeagles and makos have been reported roaming around. The minimum size for all keeper sharks (makos, porbeagles, threshers and blues) is 4.5 feet in length while basking and great white sharks are federally protected. Tackle- buster catch of the week: Scott McIntyre with a 32- pound halibut. Sea surface temperatures are running around 60 degrees and the mid-60s, as relayed from the Portland and Cashes weather buoys, respectively. COASTAL FISHING ZONE 1: Anglers targeting stripers should concentrate their efforts out on the beaches and rock piles. There are still a few schoolies and slots in the lower portions of the rivers but with the warmer temps and recent rain most fish have moved out. Hills, Biddeford Pool (bathhouse end and rocks), Old Orchard, Higgins and Richmond Island continue to hold fish. Beach fishermen should check local ordinances prior to fishing as some area beaches restrict fishing between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Clams, eels, chunk macs and herring are all catching fish, particularly at night or under low-light conditions. Black or the darker pattern (resembling pogies/herring) Creek Chubs and Gag's Poppers, mackerel flavored Crystal Minnows along with 3/8 - 1 ounce chartreuse/white bucktail jigs are a few of the artificials that are producing. For those who choose to fish the rivers, troll surgical tubes coupled with a sandworm going with the tide and current. Fishermen who want to wet a fly should throw 1/0 and 2/0 chartreuse/white Clousers or Deceivers in either tinker mac, alewive or herring patterns. As far as the tide goes, depending on your location, mid to high followed by a few hours of the going tide are the best times. Bluefish, 6 to 10 inches, can be found inside some of the rivers while fish in the 12-14-pound range have been taken out around Wood and Basket islands. Anglers trolling deep-diving lures (Mambo Minnows, Bombers and Yo-Zuri Magnums) in orange or mackerel patterns have had the best catches. Mackerel are scattered. ZONE 2: The 69th annual Bailey Island Tuna and Small Fish tournament, based at Cook's Lobster House on Bailey Island, starts Monday and runs through Saturday. The ledges, islands, outer Cape shoreline and the Maine State Pier are the places to go if you want to catch stripers. There are still a few schoolies in the lower portions of the rivers, but generally as water temperatures warm, the fishing cools. Fish these areas after dark or during the predawn hours. Baits that are working include clams, sandworms and mackerel. Mambo Minnows (blue, pink), Rapala X-Raps (purple ghost, blue sardine), Mag Poppers (mac or pollock) and Gag's Schoolie Poppers are some of the artificials that have been fish getters. Anglers tossing flies have been getting into stripers using 1/0 and 2/0 white or black Clousers and the Hollow Fleye. If fishing at night try using black flies as they silhouette well against the night. Macks can be found by the boat fishermen but are spotty from shore. The water temperature at the Maine State Pier is in the upper 50s. ZONE 3: The striped bass pick, primarily of slots and schoolies, has been slow in some of the rivers but slightly better around the rocky ledges and off the beaches. As the rivers continue to warm, try fishing the deep spots early. Anglers targeting stripers need to read the water; looking for moving water and rips off any points. Natural channels, where the flats drain as the tide falls, and bird action are also good indicators. A few of the artificials that have been doing the trick are the mackerel or pollock colored Rebel Windcheater, Creek Chubs and Gag's Poppers. This saltwater report is compiled by Bruce Joule, Maine Department of Marine Resources, P.O. Box 8, West Boothbay Harbor 04575. If you have information to report please contact me at 633-9505 or E-mail: [url "mailto:bruce.joule@maine.gov"]bruce.joule@maine.gov[/url] [signature] |