7 replies to this topic

[MuskieBait]

Hi NANFA,

 

I was just in NH last weekend fishing on the party boats for Haddock and Acadian Redfish. I'm going to visit MA and NH area again on May 20 and 21 for more haddock fishing.

However, in the afternoon or evening, I hope to try shore fishing a little more. Some of the species I hope to encounter (as a catch and release angler) are Grubby Sculpin, Ninespine Stickleback Longhorn Sculpin, Sea Raven, Yellowfin Flounder and Little Skate.

We did manage to find Little Skate off a point in MA. I'm hoping they will still be there late May. From what I read, the Little Skate will move shallower as the season progress. In April, they are spawning, and will spawn again in October.

When I was looking for these species in NH last weekend (Apr 15 and 16), we didn't even see any fish in the shallow coaster areas or in the salt marshes. There wasn't even any Mummichog and I found that very strange. My suspicion is the water was still too cold.

Would the water temperature be better in May? Do you have any suggestion where I can find my target species around NH or MA? Driving is no issue. I'll drive anywhere within NH and MA to find target species.

I am also interested to find Green Crab to use as bait. I know they are non-native species but have personally seen Shorthorn Sculpin swallowed a dollar size Green Crab whole. So instead of using native crab species, I propose that using the non-native crab species as bait would probably do the habitat a little good.

Failing to find crabs on my own, do the local bait shops in MA or NH sell Green Crab? I know that NY and NJ do sell Green Crab for bait since they are prime bait for Tautog anglers.

Thanks!

Ken

Edited by MuskieBait, 23 April 2017 - 09:29 AM.

[Cu455]

You will start to see more fish enter salt marshes and estuaries as the water warms up. I find different types crabs all the time in bays usually muddy areas. Sandy areas will have fiddler and ghost crabs. I saw some skates populating last week about 10ft off shore. I can't really give you advice about exact locations since I am not familiar with the area. By me skates sea robins, flounders can be caught off shore at this time of year.

My advice is go to a beach, boat ramp or pier and test the waters out.There is a website tides4fishing or something like that and it tells you how many fish will be out at a specific time or day. I find it pretty accurate.

Pictures I took last week.

[keepnatives]

on the rd to Odiorne point state park there's a tidal creek with a parking

lot grubby sculpin, we found a couple kinds of stickleback as well

[MuskieBait]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

We tried 5 different locations from shore 1) coastal rivers 2) beaches 3) salt marsh 4) shallow rocky shoreline at Ordiorne Point and 5) off a rocky point in MA. The only place where we received any bites and caught skates was the rocky point in MA. It had deeper water (about 10 feet feet) and a sand or mud bottom. All the other shallow water areas we tried had nothing.

keepnatives - I'll try that tidal creek next time!

[fritz]

Go to the creek around low tide!

[FirstChAoS]

I find that early and late in the season offshore fishing for game species are best. (later on you have to fight with dogfish for fish). Living 2 hours inland I do not have much coastal experience. My one trip in May resulted in seeing only one fish that escaped. In late June to September fish are abundant. In early to mid June results were mixed and location dependant.

[MuskieBait]

Thanks again guys! I guess we will focus our attention on the boat fishing this May then. I will still try in the evening...but won't put too much hope on it.

[FirstChAoS]

Thanks again guys! I guess we will focus our attention on the boat fishing this May then. I will still try in the evening...but won't put too much hope on it.

 

It never hurts to try, I will be curious about what you find. I wish you luck.

 

If you need any help searching just ask.

Edited by FirstChAoS, 02 May 2017 - 03:55 PM.