Here is a brief synopsis of the Merrimack River Fishing Reports the past week.
Johnson with a nice 38" striper caught on a live mackerel on Manolin Charters
Tight on a striper in the Merrimack River!
Sunday 6/8, Manolin Charters welcomed aboard Kyle's group. Great bunch of guys and we got into some fish. Still much slower than we'd like, but we got mackerel pretty easily and then proceeded to get a half dozen fish just under the legal limit. We did manage a keeper sized fish that pulled hook just as I was about to leader him. Great bunch of guys with a lot of laughs and good times. Action was spotty, but we managed a few to make a day out of it.
A cooler filled with keeper stripers!
Saturday 6/14 the Merrimack River Fishing finally turned on! I had an afternoon charter to catch the tide and it did not disappoint our crew of seasoned Maine commercial lobster fishermen. The river was very wild, but the fishing was spectacular as we landed 15 keepers, a half dozen shorts, and a few misses. By far the best trip to date! Sunday afternoon from information I have gather thus far was also fantastic! Next weekend is setting up to be incredible with the AM outgoing tide. I have charter trips booked on Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. I have been trying to fill out the Sunday the 22nd and its going to be an awesome tide! Somebody please book this now!!!
The Maine Crew with 8 of the 15 Keepers!
Sunday 6/15 - Tough conditions with a stiff NW blow. We did well on the bait, but had to work for them. After some time, we managed 40 or so and were on our way. We picked two keepers on a double hook up by daughter Jessie and dad Steve on Father's Day! We tried a few more drifts but the tide was slacking and the traffic and wind made it difficult. After checking out some other drifts, I went to troll the beach front under some working birds. Fish were there, but man it was tough to stay tight! We came tight and dropped 5 fish in a row out there. Don't know why, each fish was fought for around 30 seconds before the hook just seemed to pop. No fault to the anglers. I'm going to stick with treble hooks from now on on the troll.
Jessie and her dad Steve with a nice pair of keepers on a double hook up on Father's day
All in all, the fish are hear with the outgoing tide being your best bet (Again, Sunday June 22nd is setting up to be spectacular). There are fish on the incoming, but you really have to convert opportunities to put fish in the box.
Starting Thursday June 19th I will be on the water full time until late August so if you are around during the week or weekends give us a call and let us take you out on your own private fishing charter for striped bass out of Newburyport, MA.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Chris