The Midcoast Maine Running Stripah Report

[Roccus7]

After 2 consecutive visits from Pepe LePew on Sunday and yesterday mornings, I was loathe to head out this morning, but bored so I did, expecting a Hat Trick of consecutive skunks. As I completed extensive coverage of the primary target, I was having a very bad feeling that my nightmare would be realized, but I decided to hit one more area. Well the "final" area was just as sterile as the first, but one of the locals was also fishing so we started chatting. Just as we were about to both head back to our respective barns a few fish came up in a "blitz" that lasted about 1 minute, not long enough for either one of us to get a single cast off into the "melee".

Hmmm, what to do, what to do? Well a bit of a rip was setting up nearby, a rip that has been historically productive so I decided to give it one shot. After about 10 casts, I had drifted into a position such that my casts could reach the "Money Pit", and I resolved that as soon as I drifted out of range I would accept the fate of the Skunk. Then a divine intervention from Poseidon! My popper was crashed by a none too happy fish that took off on an extended run and the battle began. Took a good 5 min, but soon I slipped my net under a 30.5" fish. Looks like our weekend visitors will be having Stripah for Suppah!!

 

[captmike28]

After 2 consecutive visits from Pepe LePew on Sunday and yesterday mornings, I was loathe to head out this morning, but bored so I did, expecting a Hat Trick of consecutive skunks. As I completed extensive coverage of the primary target, I was having a very bad feeling that my nightmare would be realized, but I decided to hit one more area. Well the "final" area was just as sterile as the first, but one of the locals was also fishing so we started chatting. Just as we were about to both head back to our respective barns a few fish came up in a "blitz" that lasted about 1 minute, not long enough for either one of us to get a single cast off into the "melee".

Hmmm, what to do, what to do? Well a bit of a rip was setting up nearby, a rip that has been historically productive so I decided to give it one shot. After about 10 casts, I had drifted into a position such that my casts could reach the "Money Pit", and I resolved that as soon as I drifted out of range I would accept the fate of the Skunk. Then a divine intervention from Poseidon! My popper was crashed by a none too happy fish that took off on an extended run and the battle began. Took a good 5 min, but soon I slipped my net under a 30.5" fish. Looks like our weekend visitors will be having Stripah for Suppah!!

Outstanding! Perserverance even in the face of the most difficult conditions does pay off. Enjoy your hard-earned dinner.

 

[Roccus7]

Seaweed, and Buoys and Seals, OH MY!!

The Skunk has been strong as of late, to the point that my motivation has dwindled to almost zero. Regardless, I had a nice tidal slot this AM so I soldiered on, hitting all my favorite early flood spots. Tragically, they were as sterile as everywhere else in my backyard.

So it was decision time, head back to the barn early or try going outside of the river? Up on the right should an Angel popped up, "Why not go home early and make breakfast for 'The Admiral'?" On the other shoulder a Devil popped up, "Ah, she can make her own coffee and breakfast! You going to go for a 5th consecutive skunking you wussie???"

Well the Devil made me do it, buoyed by a suggestion that maybe it was time to fish the ledges. Since there was a light breeze that would push me, and the boat, slowly away from a pointed ledge that has been productive in previous years, I nosed out of the inlet and headed to the point, about 400 yds.

When I got there there was a broken line of seaweed that was fishable with some pain. To add insult to injury, the primary spot had 2 lobster traps that could become problematic IF a miracle occurred and I actually hooked into a good fish. WTF, time to start casting. The first 10 or so casts showed no activity and I slowly drifted out of range for the primary target. "OK, last cast!" and I fired one out.

Retrieve started normal, but what's that, a fish swirl? Let's try a harder pop, crap that is a fish, but he didn't hit it. Time for a full Joe Cocker seizure! BAM!!! A massive hit, followed by a good 60 yd run by a large, and extremely pissed off striper!!

FONGOOL!!! Damn fish is going right towards that lobster buoy. OK, let it run some more away and then herd it around the trap. That's it, keep the pressure on it, looking good.

The battle continued for a good 7 minutes. I was anxious to see how the fish was hooked. When if finally got boat side I could see that she had swallowed my popper so I was relieved and as I reached for the net, the fish ran straight down about 10 feet.

OK, that was the final flight, she doesn't have anything left, now to get her back up to the net... WTF is this, the fish is taking off on a strong, determined run away from the boat?? She was almost dead. OH SHIT!! That's a seal run!! SOB is trying to steal my fish!!

I hung on for a moment or two and then palmed by spool when suddenly the fish was on the surface 30 ft out from the boat so I started cranking like made. At 10 feet, a large dark shadow was approaching the bass, but the suddenly turned away, and I quickly slipped the net under a fine 30.5" fish. Upon inspection there was no overt bite marks on the fish, only 2 small puncture wounds on it's left side around the gills.

Guess it was a cautious seal and the line spooked it a bit, but I was very happy since that fish was #90 on the season. Of course I had to make one more drift over the spot and the first cast was immediately grabbed by a 26" fish. Hoping for a hat trick, I kept at it for another 15 minutes, when I decided to quit while I was ahead. A very successful morning for sure; last time I caught 2 stripers in an outing was back on July 5, a long time for sure.

 

[Roccus7]

Might be time for a bigger net!!
Horrible early morning extreme low tide today, so IF I wanted to go out early and head back as soon as possible during the flood meant leaving at dawn, 05:17, but sticking it out until 10:00. I wasn't in the mood to commit to a 5 hour session, so I waiting until 09:22 when there was just enough water for me squeak out since the boat is always tired off to head directly out.

I decided to hit the ledges again today, as the river has been DOA for the past week. Looking for fishy signs as I headed out was worthless as the river appeared as fishless as the Sahara Desert, which has been the case since 7/7. Got to Sunday's hot ledge, but 2 drifts showed no signs so I started prospected all the ledges that surround the harbor entrance.

They all were fishless, and I crafted a final drift at the final ledge that would take me into the harbor, figuring it was to be my last drift of the morning. As the drift was waning my popper got crashed by a very perturbed fish that was not too happy about being hooked. Thank goodness my drift took me into the harbor without any danger of crashing into boats or ledges which allowed me to pay attention to keeping the fish away from the lone lobster trap that was a clear and present danger. When I got the fish alongside my heartbeat begin to sky rocket as it was clear that the fish was the best yet for this season.

The "Best" was confirmed when I wished I had a bigger net since netting this fish was a bit of a challenge do to its size. Once netted, the yardstick confirmed the thought of YTD PB, as it measured 35". Just time for a quick photo and quickly return the fish into the water. It was pleasing to see her swim away, and after 2 more fishless drifts, I decided it was time to head home. Nothing wrong with catching a quality fish like that in only 1 hour of fishing...

 

[longcast]

Might be time for a bigger net!!
Horrible early morning extreme low tide today, so IF I wanted to go out early and head back as soon as possible during the flood meant leaving at dawn, 05:17, but sticking it out until 10:00. I wasn't in the mood to commit to a 5 hour session, so I waiting until 09:22 when there was just enough water for me squeak out since the boat is always tired off to head directly out.

I decided to hit the ledges again today, as the river has been DOA for the past week. Looking for fishy signs as I headed out was worthless as the river appeared as fishless as the Sahara Desert, which has been the case since 7/7. Got to Sunday's hot ledge, but 2 drifts showed no signs so I started prospected all the ledges that surround the harbor entrance.

They all were fishless, and I crafted a final drift at the final ledge that would take me into the harbor, figuring it was to be my last drift of the morning. As the drift was waning my popper got crashed by a very perturbed fish that was not too happy about being hooked. Thank goodness my drift took me into the harbor without any danger of crashing into boats or ledges which allowed me to pay attention to keeping the fish away from the lone lobster trap that was a clear and present danger. When I got the fish alongside my heartbeat begin to sky rocket as it was clear that the fish was the best yet for this season.

The "Best" was confirmed when I wished I had a bigger net since netting this fish was a bit of a challenge do to its size. Once netted, the yardstick confirmed the thought of YTD PB, as it measured 35". Just time for a quick photo and quickly return the fish into the water. It was pleasing to see her swim away, and after 2 more fishless drifts, I decided it was time to head home. Nothing wrong with catching a quality fish like that in only 1 hour of fishing...

View attachment 82754

Beautiful healthy looking fish!

 

[captmike28]

Might be time for a bigger net!!
Horrible early morning extreme low tide today, so IF I wanted to go out early and head back as soon as possible during the flood meant leaving at dawn, 05:17, but sticking it out until 10:00. I wasn't in the mood to commit to a 5 hour session, so I waiting until 09:22 when there was just enough water for me squeak out since the boat is always tired off to head directly out.

I decided to hit the ledges again today, as the river has been DOA for the past week. Looking for fishy signs as I headed out was worthless as the river appeared as fishless as the Sahara Desert, which has been the case since 7/7. Got to Sunday's hot ledge, but 2 drifts showed no signs so I started prospected all the ledges that surround the harbor entrance.

They all were fishless, and I crafted a final drift at the final ledge that would take me into the harbor, figuring it was to be my last drift of the morning. As the drift was waning my popper got crashed by a very perturbed fish that was not too happy about being hooked. Thank goodness my drift took me into the harbor without any danger of crashing into boats or ledges which allowed me to pay attention to keeping the fish away from the lone lobster trap that was a clear and present danger. When I got the fish alongside my heartbeat begin to sky rocket as it was clear that the fish was the best yet for this season.

The "Best" was confirmed when I wished I had a bigger net since netting this fish was a bit of a challenge do to its size. Once netted, the yardstick confirmed the thought of YTD PB, as it measured 35". Just time for a quick photo and quickly return the fish into the water. It was pleasing to see her swim away, and after 2 more fishless drifts, I decided it was time to head home. Nothing wrong with catching a quality fish like that in only 1 hour of fishing...

View attachment 82754

Congrats, Roccus. Perserverance rewarded you with a real beauty!!!

 

[Roccus7]

FINALLY, 100th Bass of the season caught.

There is no doubt that this has been a tough striped bass season for Maine. I usually catch my 100th bass during the second week of June, but it took until today this year, data for the past 5 years in the table below. I guess the fact that small fish are almost non-existent is the reason for this.

Today's 5 fish, something I hadn't done since July 4th, 20 outings ago, put me at 100; I've been dealing with single fish outings the vast majority of the time. I tried for 101, but by then the fish had decided to be total contrarians, if I casted to port, there'd be a brief flurry to starboard. If I casted aft, the fish would pop up ahead, etc. Earlier I was able to successfully guess where to cast. I eventually decided to take the "W" and head back home and be grateful for it.

 

[george]

Beautiful healthy looking fish!

That looks like a New York fish

 

[captmike28]

FINALLY, 100th Bass of the season caught.

There is no doubt that this has been a tough striped bass season for Maine. I usually catch my 100th bass during the second week of June, but it took until today this year, data for the past 5 years in the table below. I guess the fact that small fish are almost non-existent is the reason for this.

Today's 5 fish, something I hadn't done since July 4th, 20 outings ago, put me at 100; I've been dealing with single fish outings the vast majority of the time. I tried for 101, but by then the fish had decided to be total contrarians, if I casted to port, there'd be a brief flurry to starboard. If I casted aft, the fish would pop up ahead, etc. Earlier I was able to successfully guess where to cast. I eventually decided to take the "W" and head back home and be grateful for it.
View attachment 83066

Certainly can't say it is a lack of effort. Hang in there, Roccus!

 

[Roccus7]

Certainly can't say it is a lack of effort. Hang in there, Roccus!

Oh, it's not changing my habits much. Just more hard data for folks who like to say that bass are not in trouble. It will be interesting to see what ASFMC does come the fall meeting. Just sad that my bass hunting twilight might be concurrent with the second crash. The Fates were kind to me by detouring me to a job in the Midwest when the initial crash occurred. I won't be so lucky this time around...

 

[george]

Oh, it's not changing my habits much. Just more hard data for folks who like to say that bass are not in trouble. It will be interesting to see what ASFMC does come the fall meeting. Just sad that my bass hunting twilight might be concurrent with the second crash. The Fates were kind to me by detouring me to a job in the Midwest when the initial crash occurred. I won't be so lucky this time around...

Mr. Roccus, My Very Good Friend

I'm one of those nonbelievers.

I've been studying striped bass for over 50 years, and one thing is clear: we don't have a clue. It's all pseudoscience, similar to the arbitrary six-foot social distancing rule during COVID—pure voodoo science.

YOY is a joke. We are using the same old techniques to count these as we did in the 80's. We start with YOY, and somehow, we extrapolate that into all of our regs.

Take a step back and look at the big picture. The ASFMC has picked a target date for full restoration of the bass population and to achieve it, they focus on recreational anglers. This year, when a 14% reduction was required, we took the full hit while commercial fishers only faced a 7% reduction.

They continue to push an inflated catch-and-release mortality figure, which is simply fabricated. Numerous studies show that recreational fishers have a 3-4% release mortality rate. This number is entirely made up, yet our entire fishing season depends on it.

Additionally, there's the issue of the bass heading to the canyon. We know a significant number of striped bass move offshore to the canyons, but this isn't accounted for in the population assessments. The lack of comprehensive data on this migration further skews the numbers and leads to misguided regulations.

Whether intentional or not, we are slowly but surely being regulated out of the fishery.

 

[george]

Oh, and congrats on your 100th bass. That's about 90 more than I've had

 

[OVERBORED]

Scientists and government are not fully invested in preserving fisheries. The lack of effort is surprising even for a govt entity but makes sense if the agenda is to make the ocean one big MPA (Marine Protected Area)

The George's Banks closed areas are a perfect example. Has done absolutely nothing to restore cod populations but remain closed to ground fishing.

 

[Roccus7]

They continue to push an inflated catch-and-release mortality figure, which is simply fabricated. Numerous studies show that recreational fishers have a 3-4% release mortality rate. This number is entirely made up, yet our entire fishing season depends on it.

I'd love to see references for the "Numerous Studies" you mention; I have been unable to find one, just the standard 9% one. They have/did rerun the original study and it's supposed to be published soon. Rumor has it the number, when considering all variables type of fishing: hooks, size of fish, water temps, etc., is around that 9%. Regardless, it's all speculation until we'll see when this one gets published and compared to the ones you mention.

My favorite "Mortality" story is NOAA claiming 100% release mortality of cod. That stood until Tim Tower of the Bunny Clark popped up at a NOAA cod meeting and presented data showing returns on the tags he and his fares had been placing on cod for years. It was hysterical, all of a sudden all the regulators started "tying their loafers"; the silence was deafening. That caused them to back the 100% down to 75%. A great example how a well-designed, angler initiated dataset can help regulators get their mind right, it does happen

YOY may be antiquated, but it's been run the same way for over 50 years so comparing the numbers year to year are a valid and compelling comparison. That is a huge database and now the lack of smaller fish being seen across the coast, tend to indicate that the data are correct. Personally, over a data set of 3000+ fish caught by myself since 2013 using the same technique in the same spots, my average fish size has been rising since 2020 from the constant 20-21" it ran for 7 consecutive years prior to that. That is absolutely parallel to the YOY data coming out of MD, unless someone can come up with an explanation supported with data why smaller fish have decided en masse to avoid the Gulf of Maine. It's not impossible, but there's no verified reports of this around here or anywhere else to my knowledge.

Yes, there have been deviations from "normal" bass behavior over the years. I do remember that back in 2010-2012 when there was a huge sand eel bloom on George's Bank, there was horrible bass fishing inshore along the Gulf of Maine, as the bass found these sand eels and feasted on them on Georges. The tuna fisherman were livid because 30+ lbs stripers were crashing their tolled tuna Squid Daisy Chains, and since they were in the EEZ, the fish had to be thrown back. With all the observations, the regulators took notice and recognized this.

There's lots of speculation regarding the current health of the striper population, but too few of those putting alternate explanations together have any data other than "feelings". At least some of us endeavor to bring more than "feelings" to the table, something that does get recognized, at least by the DMR folks in Maine. I'd hazard a guess that DEC isn't as receptive, but then again, NY has a commercial fishery so DEC needs to consider both populations...

 

[Roccus7]

Green Crabs, it's not just for Tautog anymore

No great secret around here that the stripers love their green crabs. AAMOF, green crabs and grass shrimp are the most frequent stomach contents I find in striper's bellies. I'm not saying that's their favorite food, but it seems that crabs are more difficult to puke up than small fish. Anyhow I've been catching a fish here and a fish there over the past week on incoming water instead of the normal ebb, but what the heck, 2024 has been far from a normal year. And yes, there have been times I've stuck a hook on a smaller green crab and soaked them, but it never resulted in a fish...

So there I was fishing the flooding tide on a mudflat about 3' deep at 09:00 on a sunny, windless day in very clear water, the absolute anthesis of a normal good idea for striped bass fishing is. I was intrigued by what I refer to as a "Cormorant Blitz" right up against the shore where a bunch of cormorants work together to ball up bait and then feed on them, also attracting gulls and terns to the action. Since there was nothing else going on I proceed to slowly sneak up on them figuring all the activity may entice a bass or two to investigate what was going on. As I slowly worked my way as close to the action as the water depth allowed I noticed puffs of mud in the water, along with definitive holes on the bottom, signs of bass feeding. Was I spooking some fish?

That question was soon answered when my popper got crushed by a very distraught striper, who starting madly thrashing on the surface followed by a 100' run towards deeper water, classic larger fish tactics. As I assessed the situation I happily realized that this was an unfamiliar situation for me, there were no moored boats, mooring buoys, lobster traps, ledges or a lee shore to worry about, so screw it, I backed off the drag a bit and let the fish tire itself out. After 5 minutes I slid the net under a very pretty, 30" fish, icing the deal on what was for dinner that night. The fish had the decency to show what it was having for it's mid morning snack, green crabs.

After a bit I caught a 25" fish that was followed to the boat by a bigger, ~27" fish. Sadly I had to quit as I had an appointment in town and had to head home...

Green Crabs - Breakfast of Champions!!

 

[captmike28]

Green Crabs, it's not just for Tautog anymore

No great secret around here that the stripers love their green crabs. AAMOF, green crabs and grass shrimp are the most frequent stomach contents I find in striper's bellies. I'm not saying that's their favorite food, but it seems that crabs are more difficult to puke up than small fish. Anyhow I've been catching a fish here and a fish there over the past week on incoming water instead of the normal ebb, but what the heck, 2024 has been far from a normal year. And yes, there have been times I've stuck a hook on a smaller green crab and soaked them, but it never resulted in a fish...

So there I was fishing the flooding tide on a mudflat about 3' deep at 09:00 on a sunny, windless day in very clear water, the absolute anthesis of a normal good idea for striped bass fishing is. I was intrigued by what I refer to as a "Cormorant Blitz" right up against the shore where a bunch of cormorants work together to ball up bait and then feed on them, also attracting gulls and terns to the action. Since there was nothing else going on I proceed to slowly sneak up on them figuring all the activity may entice a bass or two to investigate what was going on. As I slowly worked my way as close to the action as the water depth allowed I noticed puffs of mud in the water, along with definitive holes on the bottom, signs of bass feeding. Was I spooking some fish?

That question was soon answered when my popper got crushed by a very distraught striper, who starting madly thrashing on the surface followed by a 100' run towards deeper water, classic larger fish tactics. As I assessed the situation I happily realized that this was an unfamiliar situation for me, there were no moored boats, mooring buoys, lobster traps, ledges or a lee shore to worry about, so screw it, I backed off the drag a bit and let the fish tire itself out. After 5 minutes I slid the net under a very pretty, 30" fish, icing the deal on what was for dinner that night. The fish had the decency to show what it was having for it's mid morning snack, green crabs.

After a bit I caught a 25" fish that was followed to the boat by a bigger, ~27" fish. Sadly I had to quit as I had an appointment in town and had to head home...

Green Crabs - Breakfast of Champions!!View attachment 83408

You are giving me ideas on what to do this coming Tog season when the tide is moving too fast to hit my deep drops...try drifting a Green Crab for Bass in the Race! Since we effectively lost the fall Herring Run years ago this might be the new "secret weapon".

BTW, very nice Bass, Roccus!

 

[george]

Those lines look like she was a Hudson fish!

 

[Roccus7]

This is really getting bad. Since my last 2 fish on August 2, fishing has just died!! Over the past 6 outings I've dropped one small fish and had one fish turn away from my plug. I run down to the boat every morning to go fishing at first light. Lately, I don't even bother, very sad.

 

[george]

I love it when they bite on cue. It's rare, but when it happens, the anticipation of the morning bite is thrilling. It’s depressing, though, when they vanish without a trace.

 

[Roccus7]

Boat Vandalized!!

Got down to the boat at first light and found my dashboard in total disarray, WTF??? Noticed that my plastic bag stocked with Beggin' Strips for any sea dogs accompanying their humans I meet while fishing was torn open and empty. Then noticed the same for a bag of sunflower seeds. Then it got weird, a white Finn-S lure was "eaten" up to the hook and the culprit tried to open a bag of more white Finn-S?? Even more weird was a rigged Sluggo with it's tail detached and a white Big Occhi also with a detached tail.

I assume the culprit was a bird by virtue of the peck marks on the Occhi and the Sluggo, but there was no bird around. A rigged Finn-S on a rod handing under the canopy was untouched.

Well all in all nothing horrible, but the fishing was. Not a sniff...