Maine's Fall Fishing Forecast: Stripers, Bluefish, and Mackerel Abound

02/11/2024 2 min
Maine's Fall Fishing Forecast: Stripers, Bluefish, and Mackerel Abound

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Episode Synopsis

As of November 2, 2024, the fishing scene along Maine's Atlantic coast is transitioning into its fall rhythm. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.### Tidal and Weather ConditionsToday, the sunrise is at 6:34 AM, and the sunset will be at 4:34 PM. The tidal cycle shows a high tide at 8:33 AM and a low tide at 2:33 PM. Weather conditions are expected to be partly cloudy with a gentle breeze, making it a pleasant day for fishing.### Fish ActivityThe striper migration is starting to wind down, but there are still plenty of schoolies and some larger bass to be caught. Schoolies are active during early morning shoreline topwater blitzes, while bigger fish are more active after dark. Bluefish are also present, although their action is sporadic and not as reliable.### Catch ReportsYesterday saw a mix of fish being caught. Striped bass, particularly schoolies, were abundant in areas like Long Beach off York and the mouth of rivers such as the Mousam, Kennebunk, and Saco. Some larger stripers were caught in the surf during evening tides using live eels. Mackerel are still plentiful and can be jigged up within a mile from Wells Harbor or around the Isles of Shoals.### Best Lures and BaitFor striped bass, small white soft baits like Albie Snax, Al Gag’s Whip-it-Fish, and Hogy’s paddle tails are highly effective. Small spook style plugs are also working well. Live eels are a top choice for bigger bass, especially during evening tides. Mackerel remain the most reliable bait for both stripers and bluefin tuna.### Hot Spots- **Long Beach off York**: Known for consistent striper action, especially during early morning and evening tides.- **Mouth of the Mousam, Kennebunk, and Saco Rivers**: These areas are filled with herring fry, attracting stripers and other predatory fish.- **Wells Harbor**: A good spot to jig up mackerel and then free-line or troll them near islands or prominent ledges.- **Jeffreys Ledge**: While it's more challenging to find legal-sized haddock here, it's still a hotspot for mixed groundfish like pollock and cusk.Overall, the fall season is bringing some exciting fishing opportunities to Maine's coastal waters. With the right bait and lures, and by targeting the right spots, you can have a productive and enjoyable day on the water.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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