Loads of short stripers on the dropping tide in the morning at the mouth of the Merrimack,
fishing from shore. The best lures seem to be rubber shads (especially chartreuse
and black or green and black), white sluggos, clousers, white or chartr. gitzit jigs, and
white/chartreuse bucktail jigs in that order. A few just-over-28" keepers landed on both days
by some on both days, mostly on bait. Did see one today that looked to be well into
the mid 30-inch range taken on a lure at the outer bar. Few really big fish yet,
but they're due real soon now.
At low slack, the fish rise up and hit everything on top. Everyone was having
a ball with little poppers and surface swimmers. Some hickory shad in the mix,
especially if you are using flies or teasers.
Haven't heard of any major beachfront blitzes, but have caught plenty of schoolies
there too. Have yet to see mackerel in close, unlike last year.
-bd