Since July 1 We have been using predominantly live Macs to target Stripers. One reason? We have some smallish Mackerel that work really well. Today, I jigged up some Herring while we were in the Kennebec River and proved those work too. We are seeing fish up to 32" and are catching between 15 and 30 or more Stripers a trip at the moment. I know there are bigger fish around and have solid intel of bigger ones on the beaches which we have yet to fish.
Earlier in the week one could have caught a Striper simply by driving up and down the Kennebec River looking for birds. During those trips, using light tackle gear, we amassed some really good numbers. Since the high pressure has been in control, the birds have disappeared and we have made our hey floating livies catching fewer fish but catching bigger ones. Fishing with a live mackerel has got to be one of the most fun ways to catch a fish. While its not stalking fish on the flats its pretty dang fun.
What else is there to tell you about the inshore bite here in the midcoast? The Macks have been on and off. I have had my most consistent bite at the Cucholds but I have had slow moments out there too. If you are using a boat to get the Macs and you put some time into an area without success don't be afraid to make a move. There are pogies around too and a cool site has been local fisherman seining them in for lobster bait. Also there are acres of herring in the Kennebec River too.
Maybe with all this bait we will get Bluefish this year. We shall see. I read they were in the St. George which is beyond us(as the Bluefish Migration goes) so you would think they would be around here too. The on and off nature of the Mackerel also makes me believe there are some Bluefish around.
I still have holes in my calendar. Give me a call if you want to go fishing. Its a blast right now.
