2017 New Hampshire Reports

[Crabalanche]

I'm getting that itch fellas! The gear is ready, the prep work done. Now it's just up to those linesiders to arrive and for us to put in our time. You can find me casting near the local dams this time of year and I'll be sure to keep you posted. Tight lines!

[striperondafly]

4-22 Eastman;s marathon - 4-5 ft at 7 seconds to start the day and many seasick people. It settled down enough to enjoy the fishing.

 

haddock limits a plenty but it was a grind to get them. Some nice redfish and cusk to fill out the fillet bags.  Everytime we moved we had good action for 30 mins or so.

[Spaff]

4-22 Eastman;s marathon - 4-5 ft at 7 seconds to start the day and many seasick people. It settled down enough to enjoy the fishing.

 

haddock limits a plenty but it was a grind to get them. Some nice redfish and cusk to fill out the fillet bags.  Everytime we moved we had good action for 30 mins or so.

 

Clams or did you jig?

[striperondafly]

clams and squid worked equally well. Didnt try jigs 

[sks]

gonna hit the fw friday or saturday for the first time this year can't wait.  will let ya know

[OOB Fisherman]

4-22 Eastman;s marathon - 4-5 ft at 7 seconds to start the day and many seasick people. It settled down enough to enjoy the fishing.

 

haddock limits a plenty but it was a grind to get them. Some nice redfish and cusk to fill out the fillet bags. Everytime we moved we had good action for 30 mins or so.

How many dog fish did Ya catch? Coastal waters of Maine are littered rotten with them, guys just toss em........makes me wonder if there really is no $$ to be made off those things, I see it popping up in fine dining establishments and the Brits love em???

[striperondafly]

I didn't catch one or see one caught. I think they are still offshore. And yes wayyy too many of the doggies.

[freeportd]

Are folks catching dogfish on the fly?  I always got them jigging or bottom fishing, but never on a fly,

[OOB Fisherman]

Are folks catching dogfish on the fly? I always got them jigging or bottom fishing, but never on a fly,

I suppose anything is possible in the world of fishing but not likely. Usually catch dogs in at least 50-100 fow...... Ive brought em up from as deep as 400'

[freeportd]

Good to hear that I likely won't have to deal with doggies on the fly.  As I recall, they tended to really inhale the hook.  Much easier to get out the hook when on the dock or a boat - not so much if you are wading.  I'm still not sure what I'd do if I caught a sturgeon.  I'd likely cut the line instead of trying to recover it.  

[CDUX]

If you wanted to Im sure you could, had them bastards stacked up right behind the boat, in the chunks while tuna wishing on whaleback. Also once saw them balling up spike macs on the surface just outside the harbor.

Gotta think the state or even igfa fly class dogfish record is open for the taking.

Edited April 28, 2017 by CDUX

[freeportd]

In my youth, we called them sand sharks - not sure if that was accurate.  Those and skates were plentiful.  The ugliest was the sculpin - and those horns/spikes could hurt.  I'd be happy to let someone else get the record!!

[OOB Fisherman]

I'm still not sure what I'd do if I caught a sturgeon. I'd likely cut the line instead of trying to recover it.

That's a good idea, sturgeon are endangered and a highly protected species here in Maine. I'm not sure exactly how the regs read but I believe you have to remove the hook without taking the fish out of the water......whether that means handling said fish in shallow water (probably not advisable but to each their own) or just cutting your line, I'm not sure?? Not worth fighting over a .50 cent hook though compared to how much to the amount of the fine would be if a warden was watching or if th fish met its demise after the release.

[Roccus7]

That's a good idea, sturgeon are endangered and a highly protected species here in Maine. I'm not sure exactly how the regs read but I believe you have to remove the hook without taking the fish out of the water......whether that means handling said fish in shallow water (probably not advisable but to each their own) or just cutting your line, I'm not sure?? Not worth fighting over a .50 cent hook though compared to how much to the amount of the fine would be if a warden was watching or if th fish met its demise after the release.

 

Hmmm, 5 second Google on regs:  It is unlawful to fish for, take or possess any sturgeon, either Atlantic or shortnose, in Maine waters. Any sturgeon incidentally caught must be released immediately, alive and uninjured.

[freeportd]

Sorry for the mis-communication.  By "I'm not sure what I'd do", I meant whether to cut the line or remove the hook via forceps.  In either case, the fish would remain in the water and it would be done immediately.  So, if you've see pictures of folks after landing a sturgeon, they are technically in violation of the law.  Hooking one isn't against the law (we can't control what decides to bite...even if we wished we could!).  It's what one does after landing it is what matters.

 

I have to say, I'm a bit surprised that the sturgeon is still endangered.  They are everywhere I go now.  And I have to say, they are harrowing when they jump near my kayak.  I did see a picture of one where the owner of a party boat actually had one breach and land on his boat.  It was a co-worked, and I know it wasn't a fish that was caught and landed on the boat.  They don't even fish.  But, they managed to get it back into the water quickly.  But, it put quite a scare into them!!  My kayak wouldn't have been so good of a story....