Fishing Report 6/13

          A dream of mine (at least since March) has always been to catch a fish while leading a zoom meeting.  So, when I saw that conditions looked just about perfect for yesterday and meetings starting at 8:30, I decided to go for it.  In the Kennebec River right now we have special restrictions for catching Stripers which prohibits the use of bait among other things. So, I needed a way to catch them without moving much and bait was not an option.  I decided to anchor up in a spot I knew had good reception and just put a diamond jig down around 15'.  I figured jigging would not be too much motion for the other participants which might distract them from the meeting and hopefully the fish would just pop buy.  Mission accomplished as you can see from below.  Caught two during meeting one and five during meeting two which was only 25 minutes.  Dream fulfilled.  

Currently the bite is good enough for me to catch them while I lead zoom calls for my school.  We are catching a lot on top when we see them and on the bottom as well. The fish range in size from about 9" to about 24".  Hopefully that will improve.   Macs are around but I would not say thick yet.  I've got to go, it's time to fish.  

Fishing Report 6/3

     

      Apparently, Striped Bass can be caught as far north as Penobscot bay with the best fishing the further South you go.  I had a chance to fish out of the Harraseeket River on Monday which is just North of Portland.  There were tons of fish and we were catching Stripers up to about 23" just chasing birds. 
        This easy bite to my South is encouraging because I have yet to see any kind of massive biomass of fish in the Kennebec River.  I have been fishing maybe a half dozen times now and until today the fishing has been spotty.  We have had our best luck with a Spook lure, catching the preponderance of our fish on the surface.  Below is a picture of one of the smallest fish I have caught in years.

        Today was definitely just one of those good days.  Overcast and calm, the conditions made it easy to find fish with the Spook Lure.  However, what made today most different so far was finding a spot to jig up some fish reliably.   Until today, I have been jigging the ledges in the Kennebec with little luck.  This morning, finally, I found a spot that produced at least one fish on every drift and many of those fish had followers.  In other words, I found the kind of bite a charter guy really needs to find.  Phew.  Hopefully I can get back there tomorrow and see if this spot will continue to produce. 
       

the latest

On April 28th, Governor Mills released the plan for reopening Maine and phasing out some of the restrictions currently in place.  Here are the cliff notes:

1. Guided fishing trips are permitted if required precautions are taken.
2. People entering Maine will be expected to quarantine for 14 days.
3. No hotels are permitted to receive out of state guests as of now through summer. 
4. No gatherings of more than 10 people in June and no more than 50 people in July and August.

There is some talk from the Maine CDC about lifting the quarantine requirement for July and August but that also might be wishful thinking.  The hotel lobby is screaming and the government might cave.  Who knows? 

Here's what this all means for Sweet Action Charters this season.  First, I am going to run trips and follow any COVID procedures that I need to.  Second, I am still taking reservations.  However, I am not going to take anymore deposits.  For those of you who have already given a deposit, if you want me to refund you, just let me know.  We could also wait and see if something good happens and you are able to come.
Finally, it makes me so damn sad to think of all my repeat clients who come just for a week or two and rent a private cottage/house.  I was hoping those folks would still be able to come.  I love seeing the same people on the boat from year to year. It's one of the best parts of guiding. 



Meanwhile, the Striper Migration continues to swirl northerly.  Schoolies are being caught regularly in Rhode Island and are spreading out across the Massachusetts Coast north of Cape Cod.  In New Hampshire and Southern Maine, some fish are being caught but those are most likely advanced scouts for the rest of the bunch.  Larger schools should start arriving soon. 

If you have any questions about all this, please feel free to reach out. 

Are we fishing this summer?

I am not sure, how Covid will impact fishing charters this season just yet but I will definitely be fishing.  I will work within whatever guidelines we are given by the state of Maine and provide trips for Stripers as soon as the fish and the law allows.  As of now, the Stripers are as far north as Cape Cod and look to be on track for a somewhat early appearance on the coast of Maine.  When Covid 19 social distancing measures will go away is much less clear. 

Anyway,  if you know or hope to be coming to Maine and want to plan a trip give me a call.  If we plan a trip, but Covid gets in the way, well, at least we tried.