Captain Marco Lamothe here with an update on fishing on the inshore waters of Saco Bay. After a breezy weekend with a couple of days with small craft advisories the winds settled down a bit this morning (Tuesday) allowing for more access to the beach fronts.

Mackerel continue to show with numbers decreasing a bit and the size increasing. Great for the table, but not ideal for fishing live. On Tuesday, we found the macks were a bit finicky and the size was generally one to one and a half pounds – some real chunkers. We used chum to hold the schools next to our boat with some success.

The Ocean Tackle sabikis we used were ideal for attracting the macks and for heaving the large mackerel into our boat.

Striped bass have been as shallow as you will ever find them. Smaller chunks and 3/0 circle hooks have been the key the last few trips. Area anglers have reported bass up to 35 inches the last few days from areas like the beachfronts of Higgins’ Beach and south of the bath house at Biddeford Pool. The inner river continues to produce, especially on the low light tides (evening, overnight, and early morning). Tube and worm fishermen appear to be finding the most success up in the Saco estuary.

Tight Lines!

— Marco Lamothe is the Captain of Keeper Charters, which is located at the mouth of the Saco River and just minutes from Old Orchard Beach and Saco. Contact him at www.keeper-charters.com.