07-22-2007, 02:43 PM
[font "Arial"][black]This is the most recent fishing report for the State of Maine![/black][/font]
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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]
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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]
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