North Coast Angler
Fishing Reports
September 11, 2009
Merrimack River Report
The fishing here has slowed considerably from what was a super season. The bluefish are present, but are a bit off the beach and are hunkered down deep in the water column and the guys trolling deep with swimmers are getting them. The horde of sandeels and silversides has apparently moved well offshore allowing the stripers to move-on in search of food. Joe W. and Capt Al have reported the same the few times they got out there. However, some quality striper action is continuing just to south at Crane Beach (check out the Brian’s Crane Report). I don’t believe the current slow pattern will dominate and I expect the fall striper action at the Merrimack will get going again shortly. The strong onshore wind may very well push the bait back into the river mouth any day now. Don’t give it up quite yet!

Checkout the super 63” tuna that Joe W. took last week out on Jeffries. Joe landed the beast on heavy spinning tackle after tossing a live mack into the feeding frenzy. Nice going Joe!

Cape Ann Report
The typical September fall pattern continues to take shape except for the amount of bait present (not much). The early morning bite along the shore continued OK over the w/e and into the early part of the week. I found a mixed bag of stripers and blues from Rockport to the Gloucester backshore. The larger cows are eating topwaters at dawn but the bite stops soon after sun-up. The smaller 24-28 inch stripers can be had during most of the day with flies, white Sluggo’s and white Jumpin Minnows. These fish are “slurping” small crustaceans at the surface and will eat a well presented fly or other topwater attractor. The big blues are mixed in around the stripers and are trying to figure out what the hell the stripers are eating and as such are particularly aggressive when you find them. I managed a nice 14 pounder on Tuesday while tossing a white Jumpin Minnow at some slurping stripers (catch the vid clip below).

Brian O’C ventured out (very rough seas) with me early Thursday morning and nailed a nice 35 incher using a yellow spook type plug (good display of skills and sea legs for a shore guy). Steve P and other shore anglers continued to take some quality stripers until the strong onshore winds chased them off the east facing rocks and beaches on Wednesday morning. The strong onshore flow is expected to continue into Saturday so if you are planning to fish the shore, look for protected water in Gloucester Harbor or the backwaters of the Annisquam.

Pray for baitfish!!!!

Brian O'C with a plump 35 incher

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