Weekend Promises Good Weather and Better Fishing

BY Frank G. Dwyer
Publication Date: June 18, 2010
The Father’s Day weekend weather forecast looks great and should help provide for some great fishing. There’s no shortage of fish around the North Shore and anglers should find plenty of options.

The tuna bite is officially on off-shore while flounder, bluefish and bass are providing terrific inshore action for shore and boat fishermen alike.

Marblehead: (3 hooks) Devereux and Singing beach have been hit or miss for surfcasters this week but anglers fishing in and around the harbor have found surface feeding bass around Fort Sewall, Lady’s Cove and Chandler Hovey Park.

Salem: (4 hooks) There have been a multitude of surface feeding bass in Salem Harbor this week, and anglers lucky enough to catch one have found the fish quite cooperative. The bass are chasing herring and mackerel and top water plugs, metals and sluggos were all working and live mackerel helped anglers find the bigger fish. Some bluefish have been in the mix, but they have not overrun the area just yet.

Beverly: (4 hooks) Both Dane Street Beach and West Beach have seen surface feeding bass this week which are willing to take most offerings from anglers. Mackerel have been taken from the pier this week and we all know that’s good for striped bass fishing! Fishing around Lynch Park is also a good bet.

Cape Ann: (4 hooks) Mackerel are still available around the cape, mostly at first light. There are also lots of small herring in the water which has made bass fishing quite good over the last week. Surfcasters working the rocks around Magnolia have found bass taking most offerings including sluggos, deadly dicks and top water plugs. Boaters have found large bass by Dog Bar Breakwater, Halibut Point and off Lane’s Cove. Bluefish have also started to show in more numbers and bait anglers have been fending off more and more dogfish. Rockport beaches are fishing well with bait at night while the Essex River fishing has slowed a bit. Party boats have had good action for Cod, Haddock and Pollock while Tuna fishing on Stellwagen and Tillies is on the up-tick.

Ipswich: (4 hooks) Pavillion Beach has been fishing well for mid-sized bass with the occasional keeper thrown in. Sand eel patterns for fly fishermen are deadly right now and un-weighted sluggos are working well too. Crane and Steep Hill continue to fish well at dusk, overnight and at dawn.

Newbury: (3 hooks) Plum Island Sound has been hit or miss this week and a few bluefish have made their way into the sound. The Parker is still giving up schoolies, mostly in low light hours and Sandy Point has been good for bait fishermen.

Newburyport / Plum Island: (4 hooks) Joppa Flats remains very hot for large bass at night. Eels and tube and worm are working best for 25+ pound bass. Anglers drifting the outgoing tide from the Toothpick to the mouth of the river have found excellent bass action, especially with live mackerel. Shore anglers are getting in on the action as well on the outgoing tide near the sandbar at Plum Island Point. Beyond bait, metal lures like Hopkins and Kastmasters are also hammering the fish. Flounder fishing remains strong along the Plum Island Beachfront with shore anglers also limiting out! Party boats have been having great success with cod, haddock and Pollock. The tuna action is heating up on Stellwagen, especially around the NWC, while Tillies is also providing tuna action, mostly on the southern side.

Salisbury, MA: (3 hooks) Keeper bass have been taken off Salisbury beach this week on eels and black sluggos. Top water plugs are also attracting bass. A few stray bluefish are in the mix near the mouth of the river and flounder limits are still being caught just off the beach.

Seacoast, NH: (4 hooks) The mackerel are thick from Seabrook to Kittery and bass are there for the taking. The best fishing has been around the Great Bay and throughout the Piscataqua river system. Anglers are using Sabiki rigs outside the mouth and then live lining mackerel for bass to 40 pounds. Eels have been working upriver and around the Bay at night. Ground fishing has also been good for the party fleet and anglers spending the gas money in search of Tuna have found them on Stellwagen and the footballs should be on Tantas Ledge any day.

TIP OF THE WEEK: No Bananas! The reasons are many, some more reasonable than others, but any angler worth his salt knows to NEVER bring bananas or anything remotely related to bananas on a boat when going fishing. (Related items could be Banana Boat sunscreen, Banana muffins, etc...) Bananas are considered bad luck for numerous reasons and you’ll save yourself a lot of grief by staying away when fishing on a boat.

Holiday Weekend Should Provide Excellent Fishing Opportunities

BY Frank G. Dwyer
Publication Date: 5/28/2010

Fishing has been slowly improving with bigger bass arriving and bluefish biting south of Boston. Flounder catches are on the uptick and the Cod boats are doing well.

I mentioned it last week, but you need to register to fish in saltwater this year. You can register by calling 888-674 7411 or visiting countmyfish.noaa.gov to do it online.

Enjoy your time on the water this Memorial Day weekend!

Marblehead: (2 hooks) Keep checking out on the Neck as fish have been just within casting distance this week taking most small to mid-sized offerings. Devereux beach has also been producing larger bass at night, especially for bait fishermen.

Salem: (3 hooks) Just outside Salem Harbor has seen many surface feeds over the last week. Small plastics, and medium profile flies stripped fast have been taking striped bass to 25 inches. Shore anglers have found cooperative bass around Winter Island.

Beverly: (2 hooks) Fishermen have been finding their limit of flounder around Beverly Harbor with depths of 15-25 ft working best. Sea worms and clams are attracting these flatties. Bass have also been taken around the harbor, but more sporadically, while fishing off West Beach and around the islands has been good for fly fishermen and spin anglers alike.

Cape Ann: (3 hooks) Surf fishermen casting bait from Singing Beach have found cooperative bass at night and just before dawn. Cut bait, sea worms and clams are all taking fish. Further north, the Magnolia/Gloucester coastline is heating up as more and more bass arrive, with bigger fish arriving every day. Most of the beaches from Gloucester to Essex are also yielding fish and some big fish are still being taken in the Annisquam and Essex. Mackerel have been abundant and easy to find and have led to some larger bass being taken outside the breakwater. Cod fishing for the fleet has been good.

Ipswich: (2 hooks) Steep Hill and Crane Beach have been fishing well as larger stripers seem to have arrived. Fly fishermen throwing clousers and the like have had good success as have spin fishermen with mid-sized plugs and metals. The mouth of the river has seen a few surface feeds this week.

Newbury: (2 hooks) Plum Island Sound striper activity has definitely picked up with sporadic surface feeding bass. Some anglers have reported good bass activity on chunks drifting their boats near Emerson Rocks. The Parker still has plenty of small bass for the taking.

Newburyport / Plum Island: (3 hooks) Fishing upriver of Route 1, anglers have found cooperative shoolies on the moving tides all the way up to the Route 95 bridge. Small flies, sluggos and top water plugs have all tallied bass for this angler this week. Joppa flats has started to see more action from both spin anglers and fly fishermen, with the outgoing tide fishing best. Mackerel are just starting to show up, but mostly off shore a few miles. The ocean front has been less predictable but bass, to keeper-size, have been taken on the front beach, both on jigs and bait. There have been sporadic reports of flounder catches just outside the mouth of the Merrimack. The party boats are keeping customers busy with excellent cod action.

Salisbury, MA: (2 hooks) The crowds have increased substantially fishing from the banks of the river at the Salisbury State Reservation, but if you can stand the crowds, you are likely to find striped bass on the moving tides. Sea worms and clams with heavy weight have attracted bass as have larger sluggos bounced along the bottom on lead heads. Avoid the crowds and try your luck on the vast expanse of Salisbury’s ocean front.

Seacoast, NH: (2 hooks) Mackerel are around the Granite State waters, but not in large numbers just yet, however the striped bass activity has been getting better with fishing from Hampton to Portsmouth getting better with each tide. The Piscataqua in Portsmouth has become more active and many are catching decent sized bass on swimming lures and soft baits. Bait fishermen have also found bass off the beach from North Hampton to Rye. Cod trips have been coming back with good hauls.

TIP OF THE WEEK: Often anglers cast their jig or plug and start retrieving immediately. Let your lure or jig settle first, then experiment with your retrieve speeds. You’ll find that different timings will work depending on tide, time of day and weather.

Fish are Showing Up in More Numbers

Frank G. Dwyer
Publication Date: 5/21/2010


Welcome to the 2010 fishing season!

Please be advised that you need to register to fish in saltwater this year. It is likely the first step towards a saltwater fishing license. You can register by calling 888-674 7411 or visiting countmyfish.noaa.gov to do it online. You will receive a National Saltwater Angler Registry card and number and if asked you will need to show it to the EP’s or Fishery Manager’s.

The season is just getting underway north of Boston and based on early reports, fishing is improving every day.
Marblehead: (2 hooks) Rock hoppers in Marblehead have found cooperative striped bass around Castle Rock on the Neck with small to mid-sized schoolies taking small flies, plastics on small lead heads and small swimming lures. Fly anglers have found quickly stripped small flies to be working best. Reports have bait taking some keeper sized bass off local beaches.

Salem: (2 hooks) Bait has been seen in and around the Harbor this week in Salem and fish have been taken by anglers willing to spend the time. Bass have been taken from shore off Winter Island as well as near Salem Willows; however most bass have been small. The warm weather over the next few days should turn the fishing on.

Beverly: (2 hooks) There have been some early season surface feeds off West Beach, as well as in the Harbor, but the fish have been somewhat finicky. The areas around Kernwood Bridge as well as Ober Park have been providing anglers with decent action for small bass.

Cape Ann: (3 hooks) The local rivers have been producing bass for some time now with your best bet being the Annisquam or Little river. Additionally, you’ll find bass along the shore from Magnolia to Rockport, with small plastics, swimming lures and even metal picking up bass. Fly fishermen are also having good luck around the Cape. In Rockport, fish have been taken from Cape Hedge, Front and Pebble Beach. The Essex River has also been a good producer as bass continue to feed upon their arrival.

Ipswich: (2 hooks) Crane Beach and the Ipswich River are heating up as surface feeds continue to appear as recently as Wednesday evening. The fish are feeding on micro bait and possibly juvenile herring, so keep with the small profile lures and flies.

Newbury: (2 hooks) The Parker River has been holding good numbers of striped bass this past week, with small flies stripped fast and small plastics working well. Reports have fast moving pods of schoolies appearing sporadically in Plum Island Sound.

Newburyport / Plum Island: (3 hooks) The environs around Plum Island are absolutely heating up with your best bet being the river near the mouth or on the ocean front. Fishermen need to put in time as the fish are somewhat finicky and moving quickly. Pods of fish have made appearances on both the front beach and the river over the last week, with stripers to 25 pounds being landed. These fish are hungry, but a tad finicky, but soft plastics and sea worms have been producing best. Joppa Flats has been fishing well, with fly fishermen tallying the most bass. Upriver, the flats and area north of the Gillis Bridge have yielded some bass, but stick closer to the ocean for the upcoming week. The party boats are running and reporting decent Cod action.

Salisbury, MA: (2 hooks) Salisbury Beach is actually fishing well as is the area by the Toothpick and North Jetty. Enjoy the area off the State Reservation now as once Memorial Day arrives, the crowd’s will be here to stay. Sea worms, buck tail jigs and sluggos have been most effective on both the river and oceanfront.

Seacoast, NH: (1 hook) The Granite State is always a few weeks behind us, and this year is no different. While fish are around, most catches have been taken in the river systems around Hampton and Portsmouth, and typically well upriver. The ocean temps are still a bit chilly, but expect the ocean fishing to get better as we work towards Memorial Day.


TIP OF THE WEEK: If you are out fishing this new season with last year’s line, do yourself a favor and re-spool those reels with fresh line. You’ll thank me in the summer when you don’t lose that 40 pounder due to frayed line.

Soon!

Look for my column towards the end of May in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, Newburyport Daily News, Gloucester Daily Times and the Salem News. Until then...

Fireworks in the Air and Water

Frank G. Dwyer

Publication Date: July 4, 2008

Fishing close to shore has been somewhat hit or miss this week as unsettled weather in the late afternoon and evening has disturbed fishing patterns. Striped bass, bluefish and flounder remain plentiful; you’ll just need to work a bit harder to find them.

Offshore, tuna fishing continues to improve as ground party boats try to get their patrons under cod and haddock and away from dogfish.

Marblehead: (4 hooks) The beaches in Marblehead continue to produce good bass at night. Anglers using larger swimming or popping plugs or weighted sluggos have been doing quite well. Bluefish and Flounder remain just off shore.

Salem: (3 hooks) Larger bass have retreated to deeper water as the summer heat settles in. Boat anglers are doing well around Bakers and Great Misery Islands. Surfcasters do well with larger plugs at night.

Beverly: (3 hooks) Anglers around Beverly have found hungry bass at night near the Kernwood Bridge as well as off the Beverly Fishing Pier. Flounder anglers report good action just off shore bouncing worms off the bottom.

Cape Ann: (4 hooks) Tuna fever has hit the cape and anglers have been patrolling the Northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank in search of bluefin. Large amounts of bait and birds have been the norm, with school bluefin tuna available for those in the right place at the right time. Bass continue to hold in the deeper sections of the Annisquam and large bass have been active off Halibut Point. Bluefish have been at the Breakwater in Gloucester and anglers have done well trolling deep swimming rapalas. Rockport Beaches are fishing well at night with eels and cut bait working well as well as large plugs twitched across the surface. Fishing in the Essex River has slowed, but bass remain, especially after dark. Cod and haddock boats continue to catch good amounts of fish while trying to evade the dogs.

Ipswich: (3 hooks) Cranes Beach continues to be a good bet, especially for fly fishermen targeting bass. Larger baitfish imitations stripped rapidly have been working well. Bluefish have been plentiful in Ipswich Bay and have been getting bigger.

Newbury: (3 hooks) The beaches from the Refuge have provided some action for bluefish and bass, however the action has slowed some. Chunk mackerel, worms and clams will work best for bait and larger sluggos rigged on lead heads should provide some strikes. (I prefer the albino white color)

Newburyport / Plum Island: (3 hooks) Joppa Flats is the place to be at night or at false dawn as large stripers are taking eels, tube-n-worms and sluggos. Your best bet is on the ebbing tide. Crowds have decreased my interest in fishing the bank of the river at Plum Island Point, but if your into combat style fishing, you will find striped bass and bluefish willing to take your offering. Flounder have been taken just off the sandbar in the river as well as just off the front beaches. The front beaches have been hit or miss this week for surfcasters but party boats continue to provide good cod and haddock action. Further offshore, bluefin tuna have been marked at Tillies, Jefferies and Stellwagen.

Salisbury, MA: (3 hooks) Camping and Beach season is firmly here and with that the crowds at the State Reservation rival those across the river at Plum Island Point. That said, bluefish and bass are being taken from the beach at the state reservation as well as off the north jetty. Surfcasters report tough fishing off Salsibury Beach.

Seacoast, NH: (4 hooks) Mackerel are still present in numbers north of the border and large bass are still chasing them. Anglers from North Hampton to Portsmouth report good fishing from the beaches and rivers. Flounder fishing has also been quite good for anglers dunking worms near Hampton and Rye Harbors. Cod and Haddock remain steady for the charter boats

TIP OF THE WEEK:

Tides and Currents Matter: Many casual surfcasters do not understand the importance that the tidal movement plays in the game of catching fish. Take time to note the tide when you begin fishing and especially when you seem to be on a steady bite. Veteran surfcasters have used the “trial and error” method to discover what tides are most productive and certain locations. Once you are privy to this crucial information, you will catch more fish.

Slow but Continuous Improvement for Fishermen

Frank G. Dwyer
5/30/2008 Publication Date

Unsettled weather earlier in the week put a damper on fishing activity, however fishing should continue to improve for North Shore anglers over the next week.

Mackerel and pogies have made their way into many of our waterways and with that larger bass will follow.

Marblehead: (3 hooks) Marblehead Neck and Castle Rock have been yielding bass to 36 inches for anglers with both cut bait and swimming and popping plugs. Flounder fishing has been slow, but some anglers have been able to bring home dinner.

Salem: (3 hooks) Salem Harbor has continued to hold large amounts of pogies, and with that ample opportunity for fishermen to land striped bass. Anglers fishing with bait from the Salem Willows Pier have been landing bigger bass this week.

Beverly: (3 hooks) Mackerel have appeared in the waters around Beverly and with that the fishing has improved and will only get better. Anglers fishing the pier have found keepers mixed in with school bass while early risers have found surface feeding bass off West Beach.

Cape Ann: (3 hooks) Surfcasters have found bass in the rocks off Magnolia and fish have been active around Halibut Point as well. Mackerel have been spotted in Gloucester Harbor. The Little River and Essex River have been fishing well as bass have been biting most offerings including metal, plugs, plastics and flies. The Annisquam River has also been fishing well with larger bass now in the mix regularly. Rockport beaches have begun to head up for surf fishermen. Cod and Haddock fishing has been good for party boat patrons.

Ipswich: (3 hooks) Fishermen working the backside of Cranes Beach have had good luck this week; especially fly rodders. Medium to Large herring/mackerel imitations have been working well as have been Olive and White Enrico Puglisi Perfect Minnow. The mouth of the Ipswich River has seen more surface this feeds this week, while Pavilion Beach had somewhat sporadic action.

Newbury: (2 hooks) The Parker River has been fishing well near the Route 1A bridge and even further up-river. Anglers taking the ride to Sandy Point have been rewarded with decent fishing and keeper bass in the mix.

Newburyport / Plum Island: (2 hooks) Sand eels have moved into the Merrimack River and Plum Island and bass have been following this favored bait. Terns have been seen working the surface from the mouth of the river to Joppa Flats, with some 20-pound bass in the mix. Anglers using soft plastics, small surface plugs, swimming plugs and sand-eel imitation flies have done well following the birds. The front beach has been somewhat sporadic, with fishing slowed by rough and dirty water. The banks of the Merrimack at Plum Island point continue to attract the largest crowds with most anglers doing well with clams and sea worms.

Salisbury, MA: (2 hooks) The fishing on the Salisbury side of the Merrimack has been good for boat fishermen, especially around the Toothpick and the State Boat Ramp. Shore-bound anglers do well from the banks of the State Reservation using buck tail jigs, sluggos and sea worms.

Seacoast, NH: (2 hooks) The Rivers around Seabrook, Hampton and Rye now have alewives active, which usually means bigger fish will follow. The Piscataqua River and the Great Bay Estuary have also become more active as both spin and fly anglers have caught stripers. Party boats out of the Granite State have been having good luck with Cod, especially around the Isle of Shoals.


TIP OF THE WEEK:
Leader and Hook Storage: Many anglers utilize Styrofoam to easily store wire leaders and rigged hooks. One of the easiest solutions is utilizing a swimming “noodle”. Trim the noodle to the size you’d like, and then simply embed the hook or leader swivel in the Styrofoam and loop around the noodle until you can secure the other end into the Styrofoam. Less time rigging, more time fishing!