It’s getting to the point where if you’re not freshwater fishing than you’re not fishing for success as striper numbers as well as opportunities to steam offshore dry up. The good news is that should you find a school of stripers you’re not likely to have competetion.

New Hampshire Fishing Report

Captain Andy of Adventure and Catch Charters told me that he is still seeing/hearing of striped bass activity by Great Bay Marina as well as throughout the Piscatqua River watershed. While most are schoolies there are occasional catches of fish up to 39”. More to the skippers wheelhouse, he’s been finding quality, albeit not in any quantity, haddock at Platt’s Ledge.
 
According to Captain Bob of Seacoast NH Sportfishing if you’re lucky enough to be fishing you’ve probably noticed something – you’re out there by your lonesome. More good news is that the water has cleared up. Water temperatures are falling, and with that, it’s time to bid adieu to the bulk of striped bass in New Hampshire and Maine although schoolies should still linger for a couple more weeks.

Offshore, bluefin tuna action is stellar, except for the “rec” size fish that seemed to have moved south. Giants are active, and hungry on Jeffreys. In fact an 118″ brute was brought in by a New Castle charter boat on Monday, with all adjacent boats also hooking fish. Since then hookups have been common.

Tim Moore of TimMooreOutdoors told me that crappie and smallies are cooperating in Lake Winnipesaukee with 30’ the sweet spot and small jigs and soft plastics working.

Southern Maine Fishing Report

As for Maine things in the salt are coming to a close. Brandy from Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard told me that she has not talked to a single fisherman during the last week in spite of favorable weather and seas.

Captain Lou Tirado of Diamond Pass Outfitters offered more hope as beaches continue to give up stripers during evenings with eels and au natural GT Eels working well. Rivers are holding good numbers of stripers also. With bait on the small side, small offerings such as white Albie Snax are getting it done.

• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Maine!

New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast

While hardly numerous, stripers can still be bound in Great Bay as well as the Piscataqua River. Maine anglers in the Casco Bay Area are putting in more effort and finding stripers in rivers feeding on small bait while the biggest bass are off area beaches with eels and soft plastic stick baits working best.