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For the NH folks...

2K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  rjbadfish 
#1 ·
I just returned from a week long vacation in the Portsmouth area and I figured that I would post a report for the North Shore and Seacoast fishermen out there.

I fished from shore in the Piscataqua last Tuesday night from 7 PM to 1 AM or so. There were lots of twinks around but I managed a decent 24" fish that jumped all over the place when hooked - much like a blue. These bigger fish were prowling the mussel beds on the outgoing. The fly of choice was some abortion of a night fly that I tied years ago. The fly consisted of long black hackles (they really move in the current) and a spun deer hair head made of trimmed black fur.

On Wednesday morning I kayaked out into the Atlantic and fished the rocks in Rye on the outgoing tide. After 3 hours of fishing and paddling all I had to show for my efforts was a single schoolie. It was a great morning and I learned some great spots for the Fall migration.

On Thursday night I kayaked out into the Piscataqua for the 1st time ever. The currents were plenty tame for me and I was in heaven fishing the rips. The gulls were diving on banana sized pollack - a very good sign. As the sun set I started picking up plenty of strong 23-26" schoolies that were a real challenge to land from the yak. At this very moment I fell in love with kayak fishing. No keepers for me but I did not care. It was a great night.

A morning sortie to the same rip only produced a single fish on the same tide - only in the AM. Good enough but not what I wanted. Fewer birds in the river this AM.

Later in the week an evening sortie to the same spot led to a fat skunking. Met up with a familiar boat (Pisces) and we were both wondering where the fish went.

This morning, I woke up and looked out the window of my in-laws' place. I could spy birds working feverishly over this same rip. Alas, the tide was out and I was landlocked. No launching for my kayak this AM.

All in all a decent week of fishing for me and very good therapy for the soul.

Fish on,

Mike
 
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#2 ·
Great report. I fished the mouth of the Hampton River last week with similiar results.

Here is a question that hopefully someone can answer. I got into a school of fish working over some sand eels in the 2-3 " range. The school was mixed with shad up to 2 1/2-3 pounds and some of the smallest stripers I have ever seen up north. I caught two that would have measured less than six inches in length. I find it hard to believe that these little guys made the journey from the Hudson or Chesepeake. I have heard of spawning activity in the Saco in Maine. Any educated guesses as to where these fish may have originated from?
 
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