September 25, 2003

She's Not Singing Yet

Frank G. Dwyer
September 25, 2003

They say it's not over until the fat lady sings, and she certainly has not found the Port yet. Fishing continues to please both shore and boat fishermen and perhaps the late start to the season this year will extend our saltwater fishing later into the Fall than usual.
This past week saw the return of the bluefish. Reports from Cape Ann to Portsmouth had schools of hungry bluefish chasing pods of bait to the pleasure of those anglers lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Reports from shore anglers had bluefish-- with a few stripers mixed in--being landed in Hampton, Rye, Salisbury and on Plum Island.
Joppa Flats has been a hit or miss proposition over the last few weeks, with sporadic schools of fish chasing bait, and then dispersing. Anglers fishing with plastics as well as bait have reported some success with striped bass in the vicinity of Woodbridge Island, as well as around the moorings near the AYC.
Fly fishermen have battled some steady winds over the last weeks, however those persistent enough to stick it out have been finding fish in the swift moving currents of the Merrimack, as well as in the wash of the ocean beaches. Fast sinking lines with silverside or sand eel imitations have been working well.
All in all, it makes sense to keep getting out to wet a line as the fishing action continues on the Seacoast.
***
Kay Moulton at Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports that anglers are enjoying catching bluefish from the beaches on the northern end of the island, as well as in the river at Plum Island Point. Just about any surface plug or metal lure is going to entice these feisty blues.
Striped Bass continue to be caught off the beaches of the Parker River NWR with fish being caught along the entire reservation. Anglers fishing near Emerson Rocks have been landing keeper size bass on Kay's snake-sized sea worms.
***
George at Captains Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports that the fishing continues to be good. On this past Wednesday, a lucky angler won the pool with a 52-pound Cod. Many cod in the 20-pound range were also caught. Haddock and pollock continue to bend the rod of fishermen, as well as some cusk and wolfish. The ½ day trips have had luck with bluefish on the surface, with anglers enjoying the terrific fight the bluefish put up.
Fishing will continue through the end of October, with full day trips running on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as Columbus Day. Half-day trips are running on a less specific schedule, so please call for further information.
***
Last, but certainly not least, let's all join together for a collective "Boo" for our governor, Mitt Romney. Apparently Romney has taken money from the Fish and Wildlife Service and moved it to the state’s "General Fund". As I understand it, because of budgetary shortfalls, Romney has taken the money collected for the Inland Fish and Game Fund and Land Acquisition Fund –which have been eliminated-- and put that money into state’s General Fund. The Governor brought this to the state legislature as a “budget consolidation” effort, which was approved.

This means that approximately $9 Million dollars collected from various sources such as hunting and fishing licenses and land stamps, may not be applied as promised and may be used as the governor or legislature sees fit.

The effect is already being felt as the state Board of Fisheries and Wildlife announce earlier this week that it would be closing two of its five fish hatcheries because of lack of funding and staff. This will ultimately lead to fewer trout being stocked in Massachusetts’s waters. Another problem with this action is the possibility of losing millions of dollars in federal excise taxes devoted to wildlife management. All states must use hunting and fishing license revenue solely for their fish and wildlife agencies to qualify for the federal funds.
If you’re like me, you’ll write your state senator and state rep to let them know that this in not right.

September 12, 2003

Fall is in the air (and water)

Frank G. Dwyer
September 12, 2003

Fall is in the air, and the fish will soon be making their annual trip south, leaving all of us to either dream about fishing for six months, or migrate with them. That’s the bad news. The good news is that good fishing is still ahead of us as the fish start to fee aggressively prior to their departure.

Over the last week, fish have been seen feeding on bait on top of the water along the oceanfront and in the river—bird’s overhead—in a classic fall scene. On the other hand, there have been days lately with hundreds of cormorants, gulls and terns floating on the water waiting for the fish to show up, just like me.

Seals have been showing up in larger numbers in the Merrimack over the last few weeks, with some venturing up onto Joppa Flats in their search for food. While their presence indicates that fish are around—I saw one with a small striped bass in it’s mouth the other morning—it has never been a harbinger of good fishing to come in my experience.

Fishing up river has been hit or miss over the last few weeks. Anglers fishing near the Chain Bridge and Route 95 bridge have tallied some bass on both chunk bait as well as worms. Fishermen anchored in the fast moving current near the Gillis (Route 1) Bridge have also had success with the stripers in the 20”-30” range.

Joppa Flats has been home to some finicky fish over the last few weeks, but in my last two outings I’ve found fish willing to cooperate a bit more. Fish have been taking sluggo’s in both white and sand color, both floated on top and twitched, and dragged along the bottom. Fly fishermen have had good luck with sand eel and bunker imitation flies, as well as deceivers and clousers.

Bait fishermen have been anchoring in the vicinity of the Toothpick and Plum Island Point, providing fish with offerings of clams, worms and cut bait. In an hour spent in the vicinity the other morning, I was three keepers raised from the depths, and many other sub-legal fish landed. Angler’s drifting the same area have also landed nice fish near where the channel drops off.

Boat traffic has slowed a bit in the river, thus making drifts near the mouth more possible than at the height of the season. Drifting from the south jetty, across the sand bar on the rising tide produced some hefty bass over the past weekend. We were jigging 2-ounce lead-heads with 6-inch rubber shad’s to entice the bass. Fishermen drifting whole and chunk herring were also seen with bent rods.

Outside the mouth, bluefish remain, with dogfish in the mix as well.

***

Kay Moulton at Surfland Bait and Tackle reports sporadic fishing as well, but did mention that the 4x4 crowd was doing well off the beaches of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Earlier in the week, bluefish were thick at the mouth of the river, with any and all offerings being hit by the toothy critters.

It’s a smart bet to stop in for the latest information on any trip to Plum Island. Kay’s fall hours are 6am to 7pm.

***
George at Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports good cod and haddock fishing on the last few trips, as well as decent amounts of pollock landings.
Full day trips are running on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with ½ day trips on a more limited schedule. It’s best to call in advance for schedules and the latest fishing conditions.

***

It’s time for my annual mention of the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, which runs this year from September 14th to October 18th. This is the 58th year for the Derby and it is an event that I have participated in many times over the last 16 years.

As the name implies, the Derby includes striped bass and bluefish, but also includes false albacore and bonito. There are award categories for both boat and shore fishermen, as well as a fly fishing only category. Awards are offered for adults and juniors, as well as special prize categories.

This is an event every fisherman should experience at least once, so visit www.mvderby.com for more information.