Salmon, trout heat up in cooler water
This week's fishing reports from around the region:
Area A: Warm temperatures bring warmer waters and the effects are being felt up north. The tuna are still holding strong, but they are a little farther from the coastline. Stripers and bluefish are hanging in there for the time being, reports the Kittery Trading Post. The freshwater is affected even more by the heat, so you have to find the colder, deeper water to get at any salmon or trout (go out before the sun heats up or after it goes down for best results). Plum Island has had a slight decrease this past week, but head to the jetties or the sandbar for bluefish. In the Isles of Shoals area, people are reporting a lot of schoolie tuna, but reeling them in has been a different story. Off the Gloucester shores and in Ipswich Bay, the smaller bluefins are available, says the staff at Fisherman's Outfitters. The cod fishing hasn't been too good lately but the haddock hunting is a lot stronger. In Maine, the Saco River has been reportedly filled with stripers. For New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee is turning out trout and salmon in water that has hit 80 degrees.
Area B: Tuna is the name of the game in and around Stellwagen Bank, but get there early. Pete Santini of Fishing Finatics reports that by the time the sun comes up, the fish are gone. He leaves the dock by 2:30 a.m. and has been pulling in anywhere from 80- to 130-pound tuna. Stripers are biting on the ocean side of Winthrop. The Pine River continues to be a good spot for fluke. The Summer Street Bridge is a hot spot for smelt, but wait an hour after the tide changes. South Boston is turning up good stripers for the nighttime fishers. The Four Point Channel, however, is on life support -- not much is biting there.
Area C: A 7-year-old pulled in a 43 1/2-inch striped bass yesterday morning over by Boston Light, according to the staff at Fore River Bait. And while the fish may be bigger on the outside of the South Shore, there are a lot more on the inside of the harbors. The best areas are Quincy Bay and Hangman's Island. For flounder, head anywhere from George's Island over to Rainsford Island. Russ Eastman of Monahan's Marine in Weymouth says Hospital Shoals is a great place for flounder. For bass, drop some tube and worms and troll from Nantasket Beach in Hull down to the Toddy Rocks. Bluefish are also biting just about everywhere.
Area D: The Cape Cod Canal, particularly the eastern end, is still a solid place for fluke and bass. Buzzards Bay has been slow lately but the bluefish are out there. For bass, go out behind the Mass. Maritime Academy, reports the Red Top Bait Shop. Cape Cod Bay has quieted down a lot.
Area E: Out on the islands, the blues, tuna, and bonito are everywhere. The staff of Capt. Porky's says to check in at Wasque Shoals, the Hooter, or Hedge Fence for bonito. Larry's Tackle Shop says the beach fishing is a bit slow. The tuna fishing is really hot at the Cannons.
Area F: Things are slow on the outer edges of the Cape, with tuna hit or miss east of Chatham, according to Goose Hummock staffers. At the Brewster Flats, the schoolie tuna are around, but nothing too big. A consolation are ever-present blues, though.
