Teazer Report
Fishing Report
July 5, 2021
Offshore: After a rather slow start, groundfishing has really heated up in the last week on the inside humps. We are finding legal haddock in 230-260 feet. The whiting are holding a bit deeper in 260-280 feet. The little nuisance pollock are stealing baits right on top in 210-230 feet, but just keep weeding through them because the jumbo pollock are mixed in. Chunks of fresh mackerel and clams have been the baits of choice offshore. Porbeagle sharks are making themselves known with chomped fish coming over the rail. We keep a Penn 50 handy for these toothy critters and practice C.P.R. (catch, photograph, release). When you stumble into the dogfish, and you will, move to a new spot and let them clear out.
We are marking tuna on the high ground and saw a few crashing giants this past week. We dragged a squid rig in the prop wash for a few miles the other day, but no love. The tuna will be settling in soon and the bite should crack open in the coming weeks. When drifting for groundfish, be aware of where the commercial tuna fleet is anchored and maintain a respectful distance. If a nearby boat hooks up, be prepared to move and let them fight the fish.
The whale show has been spectacular this year, mostly minkes and finbacks, though we did see a few humpbacks with calves last week.
Inshore: Large pods of pogies can be found throughout Hussey Sound and Whitehead Passage. Mackerel are in their usual haunts by Portland Head Light and off the outer islands. The mackerel have been holding near the bottom. Striper fishing has been tough this past week with the heat wave and full sun. However, fishing weightless chunks on bottom along the ledges and islands with minimal hardware has resulted in fish. For best success, fish the lowlight hours. We targeted flounder for a change the other day and were rewarded with two flatties - a short and a legal fish on small pieces of clam. One of our young anglers even brought in a black sea bass last week - you never know!
Summer is here and the fish are biting - catch 'em up!
Tight Lines,
Jonah Paris
First Mate
TEAZER Charters
South Portland, ME