FishingRomantis

Headboats fishing for groundfish along with anglers targeting tuna have all hooked up.

By BRUCE JOULE, Department of Marine Resources

Fishing Tournament

17 Rivers Striper Tournament, September 1 – September 30, coastal waters from Eagle Island to Metinic Island. FMI: Robert Fernald

OFFSHORE:

Schools of "football" sized tuna (generally less than 100 pounds) busting bait have been a common site on Jeffries and the stretch from the Peaks to Tanta's (actually they can show anywhere, inside or out)).

Headboats fishing for groundfish along with anglers targeting tuna have all hooked up. Anglers specifically after tuna have had the best luck dragging green, black or red squid rigs or casting 4 ounce Crippled Herring, Gag's Poppers and Shimano Butterfly Jigs. To get the latest 2007 bluefin size, bag and seasons go to: the NOAA site.

For anglers going sharking; blue sharks, threshers and the occasional mako can still be caught. The minimum size for all keeper sharks (makos, porbeagles, threshers and blues) is 4.5 feet in length while basking and great white sharks are federally protected. Any vessel fishing recreationally for Atlantic tunas, sharks and swordfish must have an Atlantic HMS Angling Permit.

For more information contact the NMFS at 978-281-9260 or visit their website. Groundfish catches (pollock, cod, haddock, hake, etc.) remain good to very good. A sampling of this week's Tackle-Buster catches include: Dave MacDonald (32 pound white hake), Harry Embry (25 pound pollock) and Dave Fessenden (26.5 pound cod). Sea surface temperatures, as reported at the Portland weather buoy, are in the upper 50's.

COASTAL: Federal regulations: It is unlawful to fish for, take or possess striped bass in Federal waters (waters greater than 3 miles from shore). Statewide STRIPED BASS regulations: An angler may fish all year for striped bass, but may only keep one per day that measures between 20 and 26 inches total length or one striped bass per day that measures 40 inches or greater in total length. If you have any questions or would like copies of the 2007 saltwater regulations please call 633-9505 or check the web.

ZONE 1: Striper fishing has been very strong although not many anglers have been taking advantage of these great fishing opportunities. The beaches and the mouths of the rivers are the places to be with fish breaking and birds working in locations from Cape Elizabeth to York.

During this time of year, the time of day that you are fishing really doesn't matter and since the daytime restrictions on beach fishing have been lifted, get out and catch fish when you have a free moment. Hills, Biddeford Pool, Old Orchard and Pine Point are some spots that continue to give up good catches of stripers. Bomber lures (herring or pogie), Calcutta Rubber Shad, Gag's Mambo Minnows and Poppers and are a few of the artificials that have been getting it done for spin fishermen.

Fly guys tossing peanut bunker pattern Tube Flies, Gibb's Striper flies and bunker pattern Clousers and Deceivers have been seeing results. Clams, sandworms and cut herring and macs (beaches) are the baits of choice. Spike mackerel are around but generally a little ways off the beach. There are still some bluefish around but catches are very spotty.

ZONE 2: Stripers are everywhere right now, schoolies to trophies. The entire Cape shore from just inside the Headlight and the areas from Back Cove to Mackworth to Falmouth to the Harraseeket are alive with stripers. Fish anytime you can get out and enjoy your experience.

Anglers working 1/2 - 3/4 ounce Bucktails, Yo-Zuri Pin's Minnows, Mag Minnows and Rapala X-Raps have been into the fish. Chartreuse/white Deceivers and 1/0 and 2/0 white Deceivers are a couple of flies that have been producing for fly fishermen. Clams, worms and eels are the baits to use. There are lots of mackerel throughout the harbor and tight along the rocks on the Cape shore. Catching the random small bluefish is not yet out of the question.

ZONE 3: The peanut bunker have moved into the midcoast. The stripers will soon be dropping out of the rivers, from east to west and heading south.

Fishing in the lower parts of the Kennebec, Morse, Sprague, Sheepscot, Damariscotta and St. George Rivers has been good, but remember as these fish stage up, where they are today they may not be tomorrow. See zones 1 and 2 for baits, artificials, flies and fishing tips. Mackerel can still be found in many of their typical locations all the way to Searsport.