If you are a recreational saltwater angler, Maine law may require you to register with the Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry. To learn more or to register, visit www.maine.gov/saltwater or call 633-9505.

OFFSHORE

Groundfishing is good and should continue well into the fall. Anglers fishing the northern end of Jeffrey’s and the fingers report good catches of pollock. Note that it’s now illegal to keep cod and haddock, but all other groundfish (pollock, cusk, redfish, hake, etc.) can be retained within their regulations.

The minimum size for halibut in federal waters is 41 inches and the taking of halibut in Maine territorial waters (inside three miles) is closed from July 1 to April 30.

For anglers going sharking, blue sharks, along with the occasional mako, thresher and porbeagle can be caught. The minimum size for keeper sharks (makos, porbeagles, threshers and blues) is 4.5 feet in length while basking. Great white sharks are federally protected species.

The tuna bite has improved slightly. All vessels fishing recreationally for Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish must have an Atlantic HMS angling permit. For more information about permits and regulations, contact the NOAA Fisheries at 888-872-8862 or visit their website at hmspermits.noaa.gov. Sea surface temperatures as reported from Jeffrey’s Ledge are in the low 60s while temperatures recorded at the Portland weather buoy have registered in the high 50s.

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COASTAL

Federal striped bass regulations: It’s unlawful to fish for, take or possess striped bass in federal waters (waters greater than three miles from shore).

Statewide striped bass regulations: An angler may fish all year for striped bass but may only keep one per day that measures between 20 and 26 inches in total length or one striped bass per day that measures 40 inches or greater in total length. If you have questions or would like copies of the saltwater regulations, call 633-9505 or check the web at www.maine.gov/dmr/recreational/rechomepage.html.

If you are fishing for striped bass or bluefish using bait, you must use a non-offset circle hook. There is an exception: Rubber or latex tube lures may be used without a circle hook as long as they are at least 8 inches long and have a single hook protruding from the end portion of the tubing where bait may be attached.

ZONE 1: Some of the season’s best striper fishing will occur over the next few weeks before these fish head home. The beaches and mouths of rivers are the places to be, with stripers breaking in locations from Cape Elizabeth to York.

During this time of year, the time of day that you are fishing plays less of a role in catching fish. Also, the daytime restrictions on beach fishing have been lifted, so get out and catch fish when you can.

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Higgins, Scarborough and Old Orchard beaches are producing decent- sized stripers. Bait (mackerel and clams) has worked best but anglers are landing fish using the 6-inch Lunker City Arkansas Shiner Slug-Gos, R. M. Smith wooden lures and Gag’s Grabber 3½-inch poppers. Limited numbers of bluefish are around. If targeting the larger ones try the 3-ounce orange Ranger lure.

Mackerel will be here for a while longer. When you come upon them use chum and fish Sabiki rigs.

ZONE 2: Stripers will be around a little while longer. Fish have been taken from along the Cape shore to the Eastern Prom and the areas from Back Cove to Mackworth to Falmouth to the Harraseeket. Watch for bird action to locate the bait and the stripers. Sandworms and mackerel continue to produce the most fish. Artificials that have also been catching include Krocodile Spoons, Rapala X-Raps, Gag’s Schoolie Poppers and the Yo-Zuri Mag Minnows. Water temperatures at the Maine State Pier are in the high 50s.

ZONE 3: The stripers are dropping out of the rivers, from east to west and heading south after their summer visit. Fishing in the lower parts of the rivers and beaches has been good, but remember as these fish stage up, where they are today, they may not be tomorrow. Anglers need to read the water and look for the bait. See Zones 1 and 2 for baits, artificials, flies and fishing tips. Mackerel can be found in many of their typical locations all the way to Eastport. If you are fishing on the Kennebec upstream of the power line in Augusta, you must have a freshwater fishing license.

This saltwater report is compiled by Bruce Joule, Maine Department of Marine Resources, P.O. Box 8, West Boothbay Harbor 04575. If you have information to report contact him at 633-9505 or email: bruce.joule@maine.gov.


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