Fish On: Fall run is still in full swing

Last week, I did not submit a report because I fished for the week in the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.Well, the fishing on the Vineyard was terrible, and of course I got word that our area here on the North Shore had erupted and was seeing some world class fishing! Football Tuna in the 38-42 inch range are all over the place, from the mouth of Boston Harbor to Graves Light, and right off Lynn Beach in back of Egg Rock.And on top of that, large schools of pogies are scattered throughout Boston Harbor, with gorilla blues and 45 pound-class stripers clobbering them.These fish are all feeding up in preparation for their fall migration this month, and there’s no better time to get out and fish than now. It’s the bottom of the ninth, and they don’t call this month “Hog-tober” for nothing!Boston HarborThe theme of the past week and a half has been, “Find the pogies, find the fish.” Reports from the “Habah” have been great. Stripers to 45 pounds have been commonplace for those fishermen able to locate the bait, as well as some monster bluefish.Look for pogies at first light or at sunset around Castle Island, Spectacle Island, and from Crystal Cove, Winthrop right to the Deer Island Rip. Look for large masses of dark, “nervous” water, as well as small splashes and a standard weighted treble (snag hook) will do the trick.Lynn/NahantOur area has been fantastic as of late. Keeper sized bass as well as big bluefish have kept local fishermen busy from Revere Beach to Swampscott.Lynn Fisherman Doug Ross caught this trophy striper this week at the Tide’s Restaurant. It was pictured earlier this week, but I felt it needed to be given its due, especially since it was caught from the shore.It weighed 40 pounds, and almost spooled him twice. During the fight, a seagull got caught up in his line, which he safely freed, and still managed to beach this beautiful fish.It says a lot about a fisherman’s skills to land a fish over 40 pounds from the surf. It’s a much easier feat from a boat.Salem/MarbleheadGood reports here as well. A lot of blues, with some bass mixed in throughout the area.Surface feeds are producing good action on top water plugs and poppers, and football tuna have been spotted just past Baker’s Island. The hot topic right now is Manchester Harbor, where a good shad bite is going on. Guys are catching shads on small shad darts and flies, then live-lining them to 35 pound stripers that are hanging around the schools. Mackerel are spotty, but there, out by Baker’s and Misery Islands.Cape Ann/NewburyportCape Ann has bass and blues all around, much like the rest of the North Shore, but not only that, but the ground fishing is reportedly excellent right now. Anglers are limiting out on Cod, Haddock, and Pollock just offshore.On the bass and bluefish front, the folks over at Surfland Bait on Plum Island report tons of action. Small Herring are all along the shoreline on the oceanfront, with blues and bass not far behind.Look for fish at dawn with top water plugs and small metal lures such as Hopkins, Crippled Herrings, or Kastmasters.The Bottom LineIf you’re Heading out this weekend, finding a school of Pogies is going to give you your best shot at an October trophy.A livelined pogie, because of their high fat content, at this time of the year, is irresistible to a bass. Bass, blues, tuna, and a number of other fishes are gorging themselves getting ready for their annual migration to the Chesapeake in the upcoming weeks, so now’s the time. A large bait like a pogie, will draw the attention of large stripers that are sure to be near them.So look for them at first light in any of our North Shore harbors. They’ve been spotted from Boston Harbor to Lynn harbor, in Salem Harbor, and in the mouth of the Merrimack recently, particularly in the mornings. The best fishing the season has to offer is upon us, so good luck and be safe!To report on conditions, or on a catch, contact Joe Holey at [email protected]