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Fishing Report: NEW HAMPSHIRE: Jason MacKenzie at Suds-n-Soda reported that the leader board for their All Summer Long Striper Tourney had undergone plenty of changes last week. "We had a lot of big fish brought in. Right now, Jeff Abraham is leading with a huge striper of 52 inches, 45.75 pounds. In second place, Jason Hopkinson knocked his father Thomas out of first place, before the Abraham fish came in. Jason's striper was 50 inches, 45.5 pounds. Thomas's striper of 49.5 inches, 43.75 pounds is clinging to third place. We also had a big striper caught by Steve Courshesne that weighed 39.5 pounds and was 47 inches long." (Steve is one of our contributors, taking time out from behind the counter at Steve's Sportsmen's Den in Hooksett, NH.)
Jason believed that all of these big fish were taken offshore by chumming and using chunk herring or mackerel for bait. He also added that flounder fishing continued to be a viable choice, with fish being taken at Pepperell Cove, near the Wentworth Marina and a few off Rye Harbor.
Andrew Schafermeyer and Bryan Comeau, Fisheries Staff, at NH Fish and Game's Region 1/Lancaster office emailed this report: "One of the most exciting images for a New Hampshire angler is a rising fish. Whether it's a two-inch brook trout dimple or a thirty-inch pike explosion, fish on the surface can get your blood pumping. Last week, I had the privilege of this type of action in a local reservoir. While fishing a walk-the-dog style stickbait on the surface, action at dusk became frequent and exciting. Half of the fish turned out to be largemouth and half were smallmouth bass. After a lifetime of bass fishing, I'm getting better at distinguishing the two, from both a sportsman's and a biologist's point of view."
"All black bass are spectacular sport fish, but times do arise when an angler wants to target one or the other. In these instances, it becomes important to understand the differences in biology and preferred habitat. Smallmouth bass need habitat that combines food, cover, and access to deep or stratified water. Without all three, expect smallmouth to be infrequent. Largemouth can tolerate a wider range of habitat, including warmer temperatures; shallower, more fertile water; and clarity that smallmouth would avoid."
"In lakes and reservoirs, smallmouth concentrate around river or stream influxes or areas with windy currents. Largemouth can be found in gently tapered shorelines with less current. Both fish prefer similar cover with smallies favoring rocks and broken substrate and largemouth choosing wood, aquatic plants, and root masses."
"Both species of bass can be caught with many of the same methods. There are, however, small differences that can help improve catch rates depending on the water body or season. Smallmouth are most comfortable around substantial cover, and generally feed on the shadowed side of underwater structure. Largemouth can be free-swimming and feed around no apparent cover. More of a schooling fish, smallmouth tend to group by size, while largemouth school in staggered age classes."
"When targeting smallmouth, artificial lures two to three inches in length are a good start. Smaller (eighth-ounce) spinner-baits are also a good bet. Because of the clarity in preferred water, dark or naturally colored baits like my favorite grub-tailed jig can really bring smallies in the boat. A method to largemouth fishing is casting and retrieving more quickly. Bigger baits with unnatural colors like yellows and pinks can sometimes work."
"There is no use starting a debate as to which species of bass is the most fun to catch. We've had great trips catching both. The point is.....who cares! After a hard day at work, we'll take either one." (Report edited for brevity, many thanks!)
Alan Nute of AJ's Bait and Tackle in Meredith reports that there are still plenty of people plying the deep waters of Lake Winnipesaukee for landlocked salmon and lake trout. "Right now they're catching a lot of fish, mostly in the 40-45 foot range but also up as high as 35 and down to 60. The hot lure this week was the copper and red Top Gun, with DB Smelts in the NH Guide color also doing well. Over at Squam Lake the fishing is slower, but when you get one, it probably will be around four pounds. Bass are hitting live bait well in the 20-25 foot range. There's also been some pretty steady white perch fishing here in Meredith Harbor. You can get them by anchoring and fishing bait or trolling with spinner and worm or small lures. Paugus Bay off the Burger King is also a great place for white and yellow perch and bass. Stay just off the weed bed there."
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