Fishing the Merrimack River and Newburyport remains pretty fantastic with light tackle schoolie action since my previous report. We have been patterning fish for two weeks around the tide and have it practically narrowed down to the minute when we can EXPECT a blitz! The only real issue has been weather. Somebody please shut the wind off!
Most of the fishing has been topwater action on the tide change. I picked up a decent handful of stripers last weekend by trolling as well. The wind machine just hasn't stopped in two weeks though. This past week I was in DC on a field trip, but didn't hear of many positive reports (just one). Mackerel have shown up in quick bursts but the sustained 30 kt westerly wind we have had for a week has pushed them further offshore, along with the warm water. The next few days are predicted to have a strong NE blow. Although it will be unfishable for a day or two, it should be pushing mackerel back inside to get the season going here.
Gibbs Danny Plug was the hot ticket today! Three keepers all on the Danny!
This morning was epic with the pre-frontal conditions as usual. We were on feeds for a couple of hours. We landed 25 or so with 3 keepers in the mix, including a 38" striper, the biggest of the year so far. I started throwing Gibbs Danny plug hoping for a bigger fish and landed 2 keepers and a couple 26's. Gave my dad one to use and BAM he got the fattie for the day! We got most of first the first 30 minutes or so then they became super picky and we were just picking away after that.
Bigger fish are coming in by the day and if you play the tides and wind right, the light tackle fishing is stellar when you dial in on the bite. I am assuming by Wednesday and Thursday the mackerel will show up; just in time for my first fishing charter on June 4th!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Chris Valaskatgis