It’s Starting to Feel Like Fall!
With Labor Day now firmly in the review mirror, and morning temperatures that’ll have you thinking about wearing layer’s we’ve got to admit that Fall is upon us. That means great fishing, but sadly also means our days on the water North of the Cape are numbered.
Bluefin Tuna Decline?
This week we had an article from Rip Cunningham, positing that the lack of Bluefin Tuna north of Cape Cod and the relatively larger size of those that did appear potentially is really bad news. I won’t spoil the whole article for you, but there is this:
The other thing that is concerning is that the big fish have brought out the tuna seiners, who have been sitting on the sidelines for quite a few years, some since 2004. They have been making some sets and doing pretty well. This was the same scenario back in the 1980’s. There was all kind of effort to keep them out of Massachusetts Bay to give the harpoon, general category and recreational boats a chance at the fish. That did not work and the seiners took most of their quota in big fish.
Read it and comment. This is a topic we need to be talking about.
Merrimack River
At Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island they report:
If you can help it, never, ever, ever leave before the tide turns! I guess Paul S. had other commitments more important than fishing. ???? More important than fishing??? Awwww, Paul, we’re just kidding with ya!
But, for sure the fish hit the beach today! John McQuade from Amesbury hit the beach on the PRWR this am about 7:30. He said he got small fish during the incoming tide, little hungry ones. But…………..after the noon tide at 12:30 John started catching fish (12-15) with his biggest coming in at 34?. He said and I quote: “the best day of fishing I have had!”. He even ran out of bait. Now that’s a good day! All of his fish were catch and release and here is a picture of his 34?:
- Caught this nice 34 incher on the outgoing! Also caught a 28 and 33 incher all on worms!
- We also had Adam Leger in just before John arrived. He told us about stopping to take the picture for John. Now Adam’s fish wasn’t quite as big as John’s but he also caught it on the oceanfront of the PRWR, but he was using clams. His weighed in at 9-12. (sorry that you were is school Noah. Can’t believe dad came fishing without you!)
- And then on 9/3 we had Claire Davidson from Nashua, NH come in with the first fish she ever caught. Again, (getting tired of saying this) caught on the oceanfront on the PRWR. Claire was using clams and her fished weighed in at 15-8. Congrats Claire, hope it tasted good!
Other news besides that coming from the people fishing the PRWR is that some small fish were being caught at the base of the jetties in the cove and also on the Oceanside of the jetties this morning for the low tide. Small sluggo type lures were working here today!
Happy Fishing!
Salem & Cape Ann
At Tomo’s Tackle in Salem, Tomo Shiriashi reports:
Respectable amount of mackerel has shown up in near shore water in Salem – Marblehead area where kayakers can get to. One kayaker has caught over a dozen of stripers between 33 – 43 inches by live lining mackerel in Marblehead. Trolling Tube and Worm rig has been producing good amount of mid 30 inch size stripers in Broad Sound and off the coast of Swampscott to Marblehead. Hickory shad are being found in north shore harbors. Surfcasting in Marblehead – Nahant Bay area has been pretty consistent with lower to upper 30” fish caught regularly by using poppers and swimmers.
While not a report, Fisherman’s Outfitters in Gloucester as a bit of great advice for fall fishing…
Fall Fishing: Changing Up Your Fishing Spot for the Change in Season
September 3rd, 2013
September could quite possibly be the best time for fishing in Massachusetts. So many of the more annoying aspects of preparation and safety are gone. No longer are you forced to trudge through marinas full of summer explorers, or slather on tons of sunblock, wear that dorky hat, or come home exhausted from the sun. September’s fishing is much more low-key; with the lower temperature, you also get less foot traffic on the docks, marinas, and beaches. There’s less sun damage, and more time to contemplate just how much you love to fish.
After the first cold front hits New England, when the temperature first starts to change, the way we fish will need to change, too. Or more specifically, where we fish. Although fish like bass aren’t quite ready for their southern migration, after that first cold front they are on the move nonetheless. With the change in weather comes a change in the water’s plant life and habitats, and the fish are affected by this. A grouping of rocks may no longer offer the shelter it once did. The re-bloom of phytoplankton causes the fish to shift around, looking for snacks. As we do when the seasons change, the fish begin to sense the approaching cold (winter is coming) and their needs become different than when the temperatures were high.
Boston Harbor
No reports from Boston this week, but I am hearing from the guys that Hull’s been happening.
South Shore
Capt. Dave Bitters at Baymen Outfitters reports:
On the bay today with repeat clients from MA South Shore and New York, for light tackle striped bass on Plymouth Bay. At first light, it looked dead out there with no topwater action and no birds to speak of. An hour into our trip, we decided to scrap sight fishing and start working stucture. At our first structure spot of the morning, we were in the right place at the right time. As we pulled up, BIG bass were busting large peanut bunker on the surface. We had a triple hook-up on our first three casts and the biggest fish taped out to 39″ inches! Our second round of casting landed four more fish and then it was over. The fish went down and never showed again. We then ran three miles up into Duxbury and pulled into an estimated SEVENTY fish busting top-water bait all at once. What a sight! We instantly started hooking up and kept hooking up for the next two hours. Rain, twenty knot winds, and a rising tide. We ended our morning with a whopping sixty-one bass boated and released. Nine of them were keepers and the biggest was 39 inches. All fish were landed on topwater, fishing Super Spooks in bone color. Today was the first real fall fishing we have experience in the bay so far this season. –
Tight Lines from Capt. Dave Bitters, Baymen Guide Service, Inc. (781) 934-2838. Follow us on FB at the same address.
Mark N. Cahill has been writing and editing for Reel-Time.com since 1995. He started fishing in the mid-1960's and caught his first striper off World's End in Hingham in 1966. From there on in it was an obsession. He loves fishing for tuna, and fly fishing for striped bass. In a pinch, anything with fins will do...
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