The past week was a good one for Manolin Charters. After 12 straight days of unfishable weather, we were finally able to get out and start our season looking for schoolie stripers. Despite strong winds on Tuesday 5/10 (which is the earliest I have ever caught a striper) I was able to pluck my first striped bass in the Merrimack River in 2016. Wednesday we tried a new spot in the late afternoon and caught about a dozen in short order setting us up for the first charter of the year on Thursday.

The old man helping me out late Wednesday afternoon as he grabs his first striper of 2016!

Dean hooking up to schoolie striper on Thursday 5/12

Thursday we were met with more wind than anticipated but the fish didn't mind at all! Robb, Dean, and Mike picked away at 42 schoolie stripers all on light tackle! Fishing was consistent minus about an hour or during the tide change. The guys kept positive, kept casting and were rewarded with some great fishing at the beginning and end of their Plum Island fishing charter.

The semi-rare endangered wolffish! Also known as the "mother in law fish"!

Saturday I headed offshore on my buddy's rig to catch some haddock and target a porbeagle, as some of you know my personal white whale! Once we moved spots and got to an area I have pegged for "beagles" we hooked onto one immediately. The rest of the story will be told during the your trip this summer! In the meantime, we crushed some bigger class haddock and even got a huge wolffish.

Bigger stripers moved in over the weekend as my Dad caught the first keeper from a boat I have heard about in the Merrimack River while I was offshore. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday look to be a blowout. But I'll be right back at it with trips later in the week.

Also, I want to mention the first annual "North Shore Fishing Night" being held Wednesday the 18th @ 7:00 PM at the Starboard Galley in Newburyport. My charter captains association has put this night together to be FREE to the public and include many free raffles prizes from our sponsors. If you have the time please swing by and talk some fishing!

If you are looking to Newburyport fishing charter, please call soon (978) 314 - 9397 and arrange a date as I am filling up quickly. The BEST WAY to do this is think/plan of a couple dates beforehand that work for you and we can get you on the boat and into some fish. Don't be late as the best days are going quick. The fish are here, they are hungry, and they will only be getting bigger!

Thats all for now and next week I hope to write a report of the first keepers to be caught on Manolin Charters for 2016!