Touch of Gray Charters is finding haddock to 25-inches from 180 to 215-feet of water on Jefferies ledge.
With sizeable striped bass keyed in on Mackerel, and bottom fishing for Haddock on fire, summer fishing doldrums still seem far away in northern New England. Striped bass to 45-inches have been reported in Maine, while bottom fishing excursions to deep water are finding an array of haddock and pollock. Meanwhile, offshore-oriented anglers are now pursuing their first tuna of the 2024 season.
New Hampshire Fishing Report
Based out of Newington NH, Captain Andy from Adventure and Catch Charters was on the way to tuna grounds at Stellwagen Bank when contacted for this week’s report. Capt. Andy had heard positive reports of tuna at Stellwagen, and was on his way to target the offshore Thunnus species this afternoon.
Earlier this week, Captain Andy said that he and his customers had found haddock willing to bite at Jeffreys ledge in approximately 225’ of water. Squid were the bait of choice for hungry haddock, as well as pollock from 25 to 30-inches. Unfortunately, dogfish, a less-desirable by-catch, have moved in and mixed in alongside the haddock and pollock this week.
Inshore, Captain Andy also mentioned that mackerel were the primary forage for striped bass in the Piscataqua River; he caught schoolie and slot-sized fish chasing live mackerel in the past week. Although he was using live bait, not artificials, any stripers on sustained surface feeds of Mackerel would undoubtedly be susceptible to a broad array of topwater plugs and swimming lures for anglers who prefer tossing artificials.
Southern Maine Fishing Report
Crossing over into Maine, more fish on mackerel were reported at the mouth of the Saco river, according to Brandy at Webhannet Bait and Tackle/Boatyard. Pogies are also present in this area, and boat anglers are targeting fish holding here on the tube & worm, with bass caught up to 45-inches!
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Surf anglers are also able to join in on the action all around Southern Maine. Brandy mentioned she had found fish from the surf in the Wells Harbor area, catching on small, white topwaters, soft plastic paddletails, and straight-tailed soft baits such as the ever-popular Lunker City Sluggo®. She had heard of fish up to 38-inches being caught in the surf in the past week! The abundance of a broad array of bait in this area should make blitzing striped bass a very viable target for shore-bound surf and boat-based anglers alike.
Captain Paul of Touch of Gray Charters recently took out a group from the Maine Women Hunters organization; they were lucky enough to spot breaching whales, and catch many keeper-sized haddock with a single wolffish mixed in.
On the groundfishing front, Brandy’s report mirrored that of Captain Paul Hood of Touch of Gray Fishing Charters. Captain Paul has found haddock to 25-inches from 180 to 215-feet of water on Jefferies ledge. The current calmer conditions have allowed his clients to reach these fish with sea clams and soft artificials weighed down with only 16 ounces of lead.
• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Maine!
New Hampshire And Southern Maine Fishing Forecast
In the coming week, inshore anglers should be able to have their fill of striped bass fishing, no matter if they are hiking the shoreline, or chasing blitzing fish from boats. Plentiful pogies and mackerel, especially around the mouth of the Saco river, should keep schoolie, slot, and over-slot sized bass occupied for the time being.
Ground fishermen inclined to venture further out in search of table fare will be able to quickly fill limits of haddock and pollock from 180 to 225’ of water on sea clams and squid. With rising water temperatures, increasingly abundant dogfish are the only adversity groundfishing anglers must contend with.
For offshore anglers, tuna are now an option. Confirmed reports from Stellwagen should keep those targeting tuna satisfied during these earliest stages of the season.
Schultz said she “highly respects” Aspell, too, but there was a “dissonance between reality” when eyeing what the public and city employees were earning.
Ward 6 City Council Aislinn Kalob, too, would not be voting for the increase, saying it had been “heavily on my mind since we’ve had our nonpublic sessions,” which lasted about six hours of work. She appreciated Kretovic clearly outlining the job of city manager. But people were frustrated with the city manager, and she saw that in the comments in online forums.
“I do feel, after really digging into this, and learning about his job,” she said, “and thinking toward the future when, eventually, at some point, somebody new will be sitting in that seat, we are the ones who direct policy and he is the one that implements it… there is anger out there that should be directed more toward us.”
Kalob said, too, a room full of firefighters, upset about their contract, also made voting for the wage increase something she could not consider.
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Michele Horne of Ward 2 echoed similar concerns to Schultz, saying there was significant “wage disparity” between the public and staff and the city manager. She also agreed with Kalob’s point that previous councils created this contract.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
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So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
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What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
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10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
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This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
