Fish Finder – 5/27/2004

Frank G. Dwyer
May 27, 2004


Marblehead: Marblehead Harbor has been producing striped bass for boat anglers and while the big fish have not shown in numbers, that should happen very soon. Castle Rock on Marblehead Neck has also been producing numbers of striped bass.

Salem: The Danvers River has been producing steady striped bass action on moving tides over the last week. Fly anglers tossing clouser minnow and deceiver patterns on sinking lines have been hooking up on a regular basis. Rubber shad and small metal lures have also been picking up fish. White Fuel Bridge has also been decent for spin anglers.

Beverly: Beverly Harbor and West Beach have both been choked with bait and hungry stripers. West Beach in particular has been hot over the past week with bait, birds and busting stripers. These fish were taking most any lure offered, but top water plugs and fast stripped herring flies seemed most popular. Kernwood Bridge and Ober Park are good spots to try as well.

Cape Ann: Large schools of mackerel and herring have been reported off shore this week and hopefully those schools will move closer to shore with bigger striped bass following them. Herring/Mackerel imitations as well as live or cut bait should both work well around Cape Ann. The start of the incoming tide on the Ipswich Bay side of the Annisquam River has also been a good spot for both shore and boat anglers. The Essex River is also producing nice numbers of striped bass. Singing Beach has been a hit for surfcasters in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Party boats report good numbers of Cod and Haddock on most trips.

Ipswich: Crane Beach and Pavillion Beach have both begun to heat up for anglers from shore. Bass feeding on the surface have been reported from both beaches over the last week and anglers using both fly and spin gear have done well.

Newbury: The Parker River at the Route 1A Bridge has produced nice numbers of bass on the incoming tide and the first part of the outgoing tide. Fly anglers are having luck with clousers, deceivers and crease fly’s, while spin anglers tossing both top water plugs and swimming lures have done well. The Plum Island Sound has also been home to several frenzied bass blitzes.

Newburyport / Plum Island: Fishing around Newburyport has picked up nicely over the last week. While big striped bass are still the exception, bigger fish should be moving in daily. The front beach has produced many striped bass for both spin and fly fishermen, while the ever popular Plum Island Point continues to produce fish for anglers using both artificials as well as bait. Clams and Sea worms are the bait of choice here. Joppa Flats continues to please both wade and boat fishermen on the outgoing tide. Charter trips have been returning with good numbers of Cod and Haddock, as well as a few Wolfish and Cusk.

Salisbury: Anglers fishing the Salsibury side off of Joppa Flats as well as the State Reservation have been doing well catching numbers of Striped Bass. Just as it is across the river, large fish are still not the norm, but things are certainly picking up. Boat anglers anchoring by the Toothpick and Badger Rocks have been doing well drifting clams.

Seacoast, NH: Seabrook, Rye and Hampton have all seen fishing improve over the last week. The Hampton River and the surrounding marshes have begun to fill in with striped bass. Hampton and Seabrook Harbor have also seen increasing schoolie action. Larger fish should make their way to these northern waters in the next few weeks.

Memorial Day Weekend Should Produce Larger Fish

Frank G. Dwyer
May 26, 2004

This past weekend I had two very different fishing trips in two days.

Saturday began with a cold, windy and rainy trip that ended early with few fish and two very wet anglers. The temperature on Joppa Flats was in the high 40’s with a steady chop in the early dawn hours. We managed some five striped bass in three hours, with the largest hitting the tape measure at 24 inches. All fish were landed on fly rods with fast sinking lines and herring imitation flies.

At 3AM on Sunday morning I was stirred from sleep by passing thunderstorms accompanied by brilliant lightning. I was thinking fishing in an hour and half might not be happening, but luckily that was not the case.

I was on the water by 5 AM, and as I passed under the Route 1 Bridge heading towards the mouth of the river, I was pleasantly surprised at how calm it was, especially when compared to the day before. The tide was outgoing at a good clip and it appeared to be a great day to drift the edge of Joppa Flats.

Appearances turned to reality as the boat eased under the Route 1 Bridge. Fish were actively feeding on the top from just under the bridge, all the way out to the Ice Breaker. I have been known to get frustrated with the fly rod and switching to spinning gear if the fly rod does not produce quickly enough for my taste. No worries on this morning as the first cast with the long wand, and many after that, produced fish.

Once I cleared the Ice Breaker, I motored to the edge of the channel and enjoyed many drifts on the fast moving outgoing current. Numerous fish were landed on each drift, with two fish over 30 inches landed. Hopefully bigger fish will soon start to become the rule and not the exception.

Sinking lines with olive and white clousers, and grey and white deceivers all worked well. Fast, one-handed stripping of the fly line seemed to work best, however this worked best after a 5-count to let the line sink a bit.

Mid-week brought more of the same as fish stayed up on Joppa Flats during high tide and for most of the outgoing tide. Once again drifting towards the mouth of the river, a sinking line and herring imitation fly provided hours of entertainment as striped bass devoured most flies offered to them.

***
When I visited with Kay Moulton at Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island this past Wednesday, she said many anglers were having success at Plum Island Point on clams as well as buck tail jigs and sluggo type plastics.

The ocean front continued to produce fish and anglers using any number of methods have caught fish along the entire front beach. Kay said that while she’s selling lots of bait, there’s really no reason to use it this early in the season since most lures and flies will produce fish while the striped bass continue their spring feeding frenzy.

Top water lures are also attracting stripers and that can create surface strikes that are quite something to witness. Kay suggests both Stillwater and Creek Chub top water plugs, and I can attest that they were both working well this past Wednesday out on Joppa Flats

***

Nat at First Light Anglers on Main Street in Rowley reported excellent fishing up and down the coast. The river systems from the Annisquam to the Parker Rivers are all producing nice fish for both spin and fly anglers.

The morning outgoing tide at Crane’s Beach has produced some large fish mixed in with the smaller striped bass, with several mornings providing surface feeding bass.

Large schools of herring and mackerel have moved in off Cape Ann and there is hope that the somewhat slower paced fishing from Beverly to Gloucester will pick up very soon.

***
George at Captains Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports good cod and haddock fishing, with pool fish weighing from 16 to 30 pounds over the last week. Wolfish and cusk have also been caught on trips during the last week.

Daily trips will resume on Memorial Day weekend and run throughout the summer. It’s not a bad idea to make a reservation as the boats can fill up quickly. To do so, call 1-800-427-1333.

Just in Time, the Fish have Arrived in the Port

Frank G. Dwyer
May 19, 2004

While the fish have been resident in force around the Cape and Islands as well as the south shore for sometime now, our saltwater season here has really just started to get underway. School striped bass have been reported to have been caught in the Essex and Parker rivers, as well as the Merrimack this past week and with the warm weather heading our way, fishing in the Merrimack and other fishing haunts around the Port should bust wide open any day.

Earlier this past week found fish just above the Route 1 Bridge, right up to the Point Shores area. While the fish were not thick, they were spread over a wide area enjoying the warmer up-river waters. The windier days had the fish hugging the banks of the river and an offering of an albino sluggo on a small lead head seemed to be the preferred meal.

Mid-week, the fish were not quite as hungry up river so I tried my luck drifting the Joppa Flats area as well as the waters just off the basin on the outgoing tide. I picked up several small striped bass on each drift and on these mornings the fly rod out-fished the spinning gear by a 2 to 1 margin. Clouser Minnows in chartreuse and green as well as deceivers and small sand eel patterns all worked well, with most fish hitting the fly on the “drop back”.

Surfcasting along the ocean front has also yielded fish over the last week, with fish being caught from Atty. May’s all the way to the South Jetty. Metal and top-water lures as well as buck-tail jigs all proved worthy of catching fish.

***
When I visited Kay Moulton at Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island this past Tuesday, she already had three “keepers” up on her photo board. One lucky angler scored a 24 lb. bass on the incoming tide on the ocean front.

Kay reports that shore fishermen have been doing well in the river at Plum Island point using worms and clams as well as artificial lures, with buck-tail jigs working best. The bottom half of the outgoing tide seems to be the best time at this spot.

Fly and Spin anglers wading on Joppa Flats have had success of late with top water lures from sliders to poppers. The aggressive spring schoolies are knocking them clean out of the water on some hits!

Surfland is open from 6am to 8pm weekdays and 5am to 8pm on weekends.

***
Nat Moody and Derek Springer, proprietors of First Light Anglers, have moved their store from Manchester-by-the-Sea to Main Street in Rowley. This is a good thing for Port area anglers, especially fly fishermen.

Nat and Derek are experienced fishermen who beyond providing a great store to shop in for all your fly fishing needs, are excellent fishing guides offering both shore and boat trips. In addition, they offer tuna charters come the fall, which is a real blast on the fly or light spinning tackle.

Derek reported good fishing in the Essex and Parker River as well as down by Crane’s Beach.

***
If you’d prefer some deep sea fishing, George at Captains Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports good Cod and Haddock fishing with the first mackerel trip scheduled for this coming Saturday.

Pool fish have weighed from a modest 13 pound wolfish to a hefty 42 pound cod caught last week. Plenty of market sized fish have been caught on each trip.

The trips run Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through May and move to a full seven day schedule come June. Night trips will also resume in June.

Let's Get Ready to Fish

Frank G. Dwyer
April 19, 2004

It finally feels like spring around the Port, and along with the abundance of normal chores necessary this time of year, it’s time to get your saltwater tackle out of the basement or garage. Certainly, your freshwater gear needs sprucing up too, but your late if that gear is not ready to go. (more on that later)

There have been rumors of striped bass being caught in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, and in a few weeks, they will be in our waters too. Most of the following is common sense, but it’s always good to revisit the basics. Take a look at your tackle and consider the following:
Rods: Check guides for wear and tear. Nicks and abrasions can fray your line.
Ensure all guides are tight and are lined up correctly. Ensure that the reel seat is corrosion free and in good working order. If you have two-piece rods, ensure that the top and bottom portions connect easily and securely.

Reels: Reels typically require the most upkeep. Some can be complex, so if you’re unsure on how to take your reel apart or maintain it, visit your local tackle shop. Alternatively, most reels come with detailed diagrams to help you in this endeavor. Nothing gets the heart pumping like a whole table full of small parts that need to be put back together exactly as you found them! Reel spools should be taken off the reel, and all old line discarded. Reel oil, or some folks use WD-40, should be used on most moving parts after the reel has been washed and rinsed in warm (not hot) soapy water. If you enjoy fly-fishing, these reels also need similar maintenance and care.

Line: I change my line not only at the beginning of the season, but several times during the season. Your mileage will vary, depending on how often you fish, and the conditions you fish under. At the very least, starting the season off with fresh line will hopefully be insurance against having a "the one that got away" story of your very own. In addition, I enjoy tying up several leaders of different size and test for the upcoming season, allowing
me to be ready for whatever conditions might come up without having to stop to make up a leader. Fly lines also require cleaning, although typically won’t need to be replaced each year.

Lures: Lures of all varieties also need some primping to prepare for the upcoming season. Hooks should be checked for rust and if need be, replaced. If not rusted, hooks can be sharpened using a stone or a variety of commercially available hook sharpeners. Other lure dressing such as buck-tail, feathers and paint should be checked and spruced up as necessary. Once again, fly fisherman need to check their flies for wear and tear too, and if you’re like me, you’ve been stockpiling your favorite flies after a long
winter of fly tying.

That certainly covers the basics, but when in doubt, you can certainly enlist the help of your local tackle shop. (or drop me an email)

***
Trout fishing has been good locally as stocked fish have become more active. Over 20,000 fish have been stocked in local lakes and ponds throughout our Northeast District. Most fish are rainbow trout, with some brook trout mixed in.

Recently stocked waters include Stiles Pond and Bald Pate Pond in Boxford as well as Saltonstall (Plug) Lake in Haverhill.

Plenty of trout stocked in the fall are swimming in Pentucket Pond, Rock Pond and the Parker River, all in Georgetown.

***

No Shad have been reported at Rock’s Village yet, but it should not be long before they show up. In addition, early season striper action should also begin to heat up at the Lawrence Dam and other up-river spots as herring begin to move.

Day Dreaming to Endure the Last Days of Winter

Frank G. Dwyer
February 18, 2004

As the boat leaves the marina in Cabo San Lucas, the warm ocean air laps at my face as we head for open water. Once we are 20 miles offshore, the mates set out an assortment of colorful surface lures with only one intention; to attract marlin.

In unison, two of the big Penn International reels start singing as the rods bend over under the pressure of the two fish that just took the bait. I sit in the fighting chair with one of the rods, while my friend stands at the rail with the other, both prepared to do battle. I’ve been lucky enough to grab the rod with a Marlin attached to the other end! My buddy has himself a decent sized Yellowfin Tuna and I’m thinking dinner!

The striped marlin puts up a valiant fight, many times tail-dancing across the water and is finally at the transom. The mates unhook and revive the beautiful fish as I give it a quick pat on the back and just like that it’s off swimming to fight another day. Meanwhile, my buddy has landed two Yellowfin Tuna that will be brought back to our hotel and prepared for our dinner.

Next, I find myself at the helm of my small motorboat, slowly leaving the fog shrouded docks along the Merrimack River. As I motor under the Route One Bridge, I’m greeted by swirls of surface busting striped bass that are being followed closely by terns and seagulls overhead.

While my visibility in the fog is limited to a small circle of slurping bass around my boat, the extent of the feeding frenzy is clearly quite large as the sounds of the screaming birds combined with the surface activity is quite thunderous in the pre-dawn light.

With the engine shut off, the outgoing tide slowly carries me towards Joppa Flats as cast after cast is met with the quick hit of one of these freshly arrived striped bass. Their aggressiveness is a welcome fight after a long winter and these spring mornings usually exceed the expectations of this easily pleased angler.

Waiting in line now at the Chappy Ferry on Martha’s Vineyard, I slowly slide on my waders as the cars ahead of me and I wait for the “On Time” to take us on the two-minute ride across Edgartown Harbor to the island of Chappaquidick. To me, and many other’s, this is the surfcasting Mecca of the East Coast.

The beaches of East Beach and Wasque have provided me many exciting outings in the last 20 years, and the anticipation of the fishing to come still jumbles my stomach as we head for the new Dike Road bridge and our access the sands of Chappy.

Driving over the sand, towards the “rip” at Wasque Point, I pass several other surfcasters trying their luck along the beach. Some bent rods give me hope as I drive towards my favorite spot. As I pull the car close to the water line and park, a gentleman in front of me is releasing a health bluefish. Ah, bluefish on Wasque, nothing can please me more at this point in time!

I grab my rod from the roof rack and attach one Arnold Spofford’s famous bluefish lures, the Ballistic Missile, to my leader. I launch a cast into the churning ocean and begin reeling the surface lure frantically across the waves. As I watch the lure skipping across the water, a large bluefish strike’s and I see it bite the lure, then disappear under the waves and the fight is on! The power of the angry bluefish, combined with the frantic churning of the ocean makes the fight more challenging than normal but eventually the 12-pound bluefish is on the sand, both of us tired from the fight. I gently unhook the fish and wade out into the surf to release the fish and cast again.

***

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show is being held from March 5-7 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The show is being presented by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and looks to have quite a busy schedule.

The show will feature over 40 seminars covering a variety of topics, as well as information and giveaways sponsored by many of the top names in the industry. Admission is $10 and further information can be found at www.nesaltwatershow.com

***

The World Fly Fishing Expo returns to the Shriners Auditorium on March 13 & 14 and the show has all the major manufacturers of fly rods, reels and accessories, which equates to over 200 exhibitors. Hours on Saturday are 9am-6pm and on Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for children.

In addition to the all the fly fishing gear, the expo offers seminars from some of the most recognizable names in fishing. Seminars will be given by Flip Pallot, Lefty Kreh and Lou Tabory to name just a few. Getting there is as easy as taking exit 39 off of I-93 (from north or south) and following the signs to the Shriners Auditorium.

***

Hang in there, spring is coming.

Gift Ideas for Anglers

Frank G. Dwyer
December 9, 2003

Most Fishermen I know can't get enough of fishing gear, gadgets and anything else to do with our beloved sport, so why not consider a few of these select items for the angler on your holiday shopping list.

A good set of pliers is invaluable to a fisherman. I’d been through many cheap pairs, prior to investing in a pair that at first seemed expensive, but after doing the math for all the “cheapo’s” I’d gone through and the other’s lost overboard, I decided a decent pair that would not rust, combined with a lanyard for safe-keeping was the best bet for me. There are many out there, but in my opinion, the ones offered by The Surfcaster, a catalog-shopping outfit for anglers, are the best. The Surfcaster offers several options in both stainless-steel and titanium, with a very useful telephone cord lanyard that allows for use while safely clipped to your belt or jacket. Prices range from $89 to $279 depending on size and quality. Check them out at www.thesurfcaster.com

I used to laugh out loud when I’d look through the many fishing catalogs I receive and see some guy modeling a “miner” style head lamp. While it may look silly, I found out this past fall how useful this light can be when fishing on a beach at night in a wind-driven rain. These lights are widely available in many hardware stores, as well as tackle shops and catalogs, and offer a terrific light source while leaving both hands free for releasing fish, tying on new lures in the dark, and generally any night-time situation where hands-free light is needed on a sporadic basis. These lightweight flashlights are attached to an elastic headband that allows for a comfortable fit over your head, allowing light to be shone in any direction you face. Should be a hit for a lucky angler on your list.

Good fishermen get better by keeping detailed fishing logs. A logbook helps you notice patterns in fish movements and behavior related to water conditions, food supply, weather, tide, time of year and time of day. Information that should be in your logbook includes site, date, time, weather, temperature, water clarity, water conditions, barometric pressure, water level, how you fished, depth, lure (type, size, color used and presentation), number and size of fish caught, plus anything else you think that could be helpful down the road. Whether you fish for freshwater or saltwater species, a well kept logbook will dramatically increase your odds of catching fish consistently. Many anglers just use notebooks or plain journals, which work fine, but there are some nice fishing journals out there for anglers who want a bit more. Major bookstores have several varieties I have seen, and some tackle shops also carry them. A quick web search for “fishing log” at Amazon or Barnes and Nobles will also provide you with several options.

Putting new line on fishing reels is a common occurrence and most anglers do so several times a season. Fishing line winders are a must have for the serious fisherman as it allows for an easy and reliable way to spool (an un-spool) fishing line. There are many variations of products from winders that will attach to a rod for manual spooling to electronic spooling machines like the ones you see used in tackle shops. I recently picked up one from Berkley Fishing (www.berkley-fishing.com) called the “Dog Bone Line Spooler” which costs about seven bucks and is easy and reliable to use. Held between your feet or legs, the winder has a tension spring you control during the winding. Cabela’s (www.cabelas.com) also has a wide variety of line winders, as will most large bait and tackle shops.

Handling and releasing fish got a whole lot easier when I was given a BogaGrip as a gift a few years ago. Boat and Shore fishermen alike will enjoy this easier way to handle, weigh and release fish. It’s especially useful with the toothy fish! The BogaGrip works by using the weight of the fish to shut the prongs of the grip to stabilize your catch. It comes with either a 15 or 30-pound scale built into the handle that is quite easy to read. This is a great gift for the angler that has almost everything. BogaGrips are available in most fishing and tackle stores, as well as at www.bogagrips.com .

I got sick of all my rods leaning up against the wall in my garage and invested in a very nice looking, yet functional, fishing rod rack. The rack I purchased is made of solid oak and holds 24 rods and reels, all in a very compact space. It is on wheels, allowing me to move it around the garage as I rig for my next outing, all the while allowing the rods to be kept in a safe place for years of use. There are many varieties to choose from and you can get a good idea of the many variations available by visiting www.cabelas.com and clicking on the rod storage/rod racks section.

May your holidays be filled with family, happiness, health, peace and visions of large fish and tight lines for the New Year!

Leafing through the winter bookshelf

Frank G. Dwyer
December 17, 2005 (Originally Published October 31, 2003)

Another saltwater season has come and gone for the most part, and what a great season it was! From spring stripers rolling on the flats to an abundance of bluefish carousing in our surf, 2003 (and 2005!) was a terrific season for fishing. The late start to the season we experienced due to a brutally long winter led to some terrific fall fishing this year.

As you prepare your gear to be banished to the garage or basement, take comfort in knowing that we will once again feel the tug of the line next spring. In addition, we can also fight may a fish vicariously through the efforts of several fine authors who have taken the time to write the following books that can help you through the upcoming winter.

Readers of this column know I have a certain interest/addiction to the annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. In Robert Post's Reading The Water, the fishing adventures of many legendary island anglers are recounted, with several of the stories concentrating on derby time. I've read this book too many times to count , and never get tired of it. It was out of print for years, but has recently come back into circulation with a new forward by Henry "Hal" Lyman.

More recently, Ray Ellis and Ed Jerome put out a book entitled Fishing The Vineyard. Ellis is a wonderful artist who has painted many terrific Vineyard scenes. Jerome is a resident of Martha's Vineyard and has been intimately involved with the annual Derby as Chairman for many years. The book has wonderful stories, paintings and photographs celebrating the awesome fishing experience that awaits anglers who visit Martha's Vineyard. The book is readily available on-line and in traditional bookstores.

In Blues, John Hersey weaves a tale of a stranger and a fisherman who meet on Martha's Vineyard. The stranger accepts an offer to join the fisherman on one of his outings, which leads to a summer of discovery for both the fisherman and stranger. This is another book that can be tough to find, but its seems to be currently available .

On the Run: An Anglers journey Down the Striper Coast, by David DiBenedetto, traces the annual fall migration of the striped bass from Maine to North Carolina. The book is an entertaining read but also educational in that you will learn quite a bit about the striped bass and their history. DiBenedetto is an editor at Field and Stream magazine and writes with a style that stimulates the reader's interest and imagination.

John Waldman's compilation of stories devoted to striped bass, Stripers, An Angler's Anthology, is a collection of writings from author's who have a certain affinity to the striped bass. Stories by the likes of John Cole, Nelson Bryant, Frank Daignault and J. Kenney Abramson, to name a few, grace the pages of this book and provide a wonderful look at the often sought after moron scuttles.

For a look back at the way things used to be, pick up a copy of Frank Daignault's Twenty Years on the Cape: My Time as a Surfcaster. While the book depicts a time when it was commonplace to harvest large numbers of striped bass each and every night, it also provides the insight of a dedicated and successful fisherman like Daignault. The book provides vivid details of a family that spent many a day and night on the beaches of Cape Cod.

Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in the Age of Innocence is an account of the summer of 1916 when a Great White shark terrorized swimmers along the New Jersey shore. Michael Capuzzo does an admirable job of interweaving historical accounts of the times with the attacks that were part of the inspiration for Jaws, Peter Benchley's novel (and movie). Read this one long before summer arrives!

For a deep and explorative look at the fishermen of Gloucester, pick up a copy of Kim Bartlett's The Finest Kind: The Fishermen of Gloucester. You'll feel as though you are part of the crew on the boat as the book provides the reader with details and descriptions of this difficult profession. While The Perfect Storm was an excellent portrayal of one Gloucester crew's story, this book provides terrific insight into the Gloucester fishing industry.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Parker River Refuge Opens Entire Beachfront

Frank G. Dwyer
August 18, 2003

While the fishing activity remains somewhat slow, anglers willing to put in the time are being rewarded with fine catches around the Port.

In the pre-dawn hours this past Sunday, my friend Don and I found large bluefish outside the mouth of the Merrimack, not far from the MR buoy. The largest fish taken was a 37”, 19 lb “chopper” that Don boated on a Stillwater chrome plug. We landed several other feisty blues in the 15 lb range in about an hour’s time.

Once the action outside the mouth died, we motored in and enjoyed several productive drifts just across from the Toothpick. Striped bass were keying in on both flies and lures as we slowly twitched our offerings along the bottom. White and dark gray sluggo’s rigged on lead heads and sand eel imitation flies in olive and white and chartreuse and white worked well. Most fish were in the 24” to 30” range.

I also fished on Wednesday and found stripers in the 20”-26” range while drifting the moorings near the AYC. Olive and White Clouser’s and Ray’s flies both did well in enticing the fish.

Bait fisherman are consistently landing good sized striped bass anchored in the river as well as on Joppa Flats, with the night time crew out fishing the daytime crowd. Whole herring and chunks have been working well in addition to clams and sea worms.

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The Parker River NWR opened up the entire beachfront last week, allowing for access for both shore and drive-on fishermen.

Anglers wishing to 4x4 on the beach need a permit that is available at the reservation entrance. All the typical necessities are required for 4x4 access, including shovel, tow rope, board, tire pressure gauge, etc…Check with the folks at the NWR if you need further detail.

The final numbers are not yet in, but it was a tough year for the endangered shore bird, the Piping Plover. While several pairs of the birds took up residence on the Reservation, predators like coyotes, hawks, owls and crows made for a tough nesting year.

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Kay at Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island was busy as usual when I stopped in on Thursday. Kay reports good fishing on Joppa Flats at high tide, with anglers having success using top water plugs, swimming lures and soft plastics. The fish have been “good sized”, with some larger fish coming in at night.

Kay also reported good action from the beaches at the Parker River National Wildlife Reservation with both plugs and swimming lures landing decent sized striped bass. Sea worms on the bottom were also producing well of the beaches of Plum Island.

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George at Captains Fishing Parties at Plum Island Point reports good bottom fishing over the last few weeks. Excellent numbers of “market size” cod, Pollock and haddock have been landed keeping anglers coming back for more. Pool fish have ranged in the 20 to 30 pound range.

The half-day bluefish excursions have also been producing fish in a fairly consistent manner, with a few dogfish mixed in. The season will be over before you know it, so now’s the time to get out!