Who fishes out of Portsmouth, NH - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

taJon · 03-01-2006, 03:53 PM

Just wondering where you like to go for the fishes? No GPS spots required but curious if you go North or South?

I should be putting my first boat in this year and will be keeping it in that general area, I think. Just trying to plan ahead as I used to fish out of Gloucester.

thefishingfreak · 03-01-2006, 11:35 PM

were outta the merrimac every weekend or so.
good structure all over there. ilse of shoals. the flag. lotta tuna guys right off the beach too. set up on any little piece and they chunk. mostly for doggs.
i bet there's killer bass action like the merrimacs got too..

the reel question is how far to jeffreys

taJon · 03-02-2006, 08:32 AM

I'm gonna have to get some charts

We'll find some good spots I'm sure. Season is right around the corner and I think I may have my own ride. Keeping my fingers crossed.

tpoliti · 03-02-2006, 09:00 AM

When I usd to live up there, I know a bunch of guys used to fish Great Bay and the Bridges on the Pisc. Where in particular, I have no idea

seabass · 03-02-2006, 09:17 AM

One of the best charters I ever went on was out of portsmouth, we jigged up some macks on the way out,fond some nice rock piles near the Isles and caught monster bass on light tackle till our arms lost feeling! must of released close to 100 fish, most tagged.Anyway plenty of structure and only 35 miles to Jefferies and 80 miles to Cashes.

taJon · 03-02-2006, 12:30 PM

Hear that FF only 35 to Jefferies, not too bad. 80 to cashes, well that sounds like an ovanighta. Yup would be fun, but there better be fish!

quick decision · 03-02-2006, 09:27 PM

What kind of vessell you running this summer TAJON?

thefishingfreak · 03-02-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quick decision

What kind of vessell WE running this summer TAJON?

good question

taJon · 03-03-2006, 10:53 AM

All signs are pointing to Albemarle

Very excited too, got the green light for the end of April. Now if I can just find somewhere to put it. Been looking, and mostly unsuccesfully.

quick decision · 03-03-2006, 12:35 PM

Are you going new or previously enjoyed?

thefishingfreak · 03-03-2006, 02:44 PM

how bout up the saco river? i got a bud up there.
cheap like 50 bucks a foot...

angler management · 03-03-2006, 03:39 PM

I launch out of Rye every weekend,,
Short run to Hampton, or down to the Mouth of the Merrimack for Stripers

Isles of Shoals,, short 7 or 8 miles,,
Just go out there and watch the boats,, There will be lots at times.
If you anchor,, watch the lobster pots,,, There a bitch to pull up

Jefferies,, You can get the inside 20 to 25 miles,,
There are lots of spots along the way,,

Last year the Charter boats out of Hampton were getting 30lb to 50lb cod within 5 miles of the beach,,,

I agree with the bridge up by little bay,,

taJon · 03-04-2006, 03:54 PM

previously enjoyed. I wonder how far the saco is. FF let me know.

angler management · 03-06-2006, 04:53 PM

Portsmouth to Saco is 34 miles point to point,,

Lowrance has simulators on there web site of there chart plotters.
I had it loaded on my computer to try out before I purchased one.

It makes it nice to find out distances over the winter to see were I might attempt going.

taJon · 03-09-2006, 08:32 AM

So does anyone have any experiences from the Hampton River Marina? Going to look at it tomorrow and just curious as to what you've heard.

ranger72 · 03-09-2006, 10:05 AM

Hi Guys,

This is my first post here on the boards so I say Hello to all!

I am a Saco River Rat and its approximately 26 Nautical Miles to the North End of Jeffries Ledge from the mouth of the Saco out in front of the Wood Island Light

I also fish Tanta's Ledge and Platt's Bank in addition to many other locations...Fishing for Tuna, Sharks, and of course groundfish...

I do fish for Bluefish(best Mako Bait) however if I want a striper I normally just hang a mackeral chunk off the dock at my marina when the tide is right.

thefishingfreak · 03-09-2006, 12:17 PM

howdy ranger.

another thing up there is nightime cruising is tricky. tons and i mean TONS of lobster pots. most have four foot chain from the markers too.
there always seems to be macks up there just outside/arround the mouth so bait is never a problem.
just too many damn lobster pots

but thats probly what holds the macks in there, all that biat in the water

taJon · 03-09-2006, 12:58 PM

FF did you get the name of that marina? It looks like it may be a bit far for me but if the price is right who knows?

thefishingfreak · 03-09-2006, 02:02 PM

martsons {sp?} in biddeford ME.
cheap i think last time i asked it was 43 bucks a foot.
no nuthing there. no marina just a dock with about 30 or so boats. ramp right arround the corner. haul out cranes down river a little ways.
about an hour over the pasquatica bridge give or take?

ranger72 · 03-09-2006, 04:47 PM

Plenty o traps in my neighborhood as well..:>)

tajonYou are looking for :

Marston's Marina
41 Glenhaven Circle
Saco, Maine 04072
tel. 207-283-3727

They are very nice people...There is gasoline there but no diesel and there is normally a very long waiting list to get in.

hope this helps!

ranger72

ranger72 · 03-09-2006, 04:54 PM

Oh. I almost forgot...for the past few years its more like 63 Dollars a foot plus shore power if you require...

ranger72

taJon · 03-09-2006, 06:49 PM

Thanks for the info ranger. I'll give them a call and I know you'll put in a good word for me.

Are the slips deep water or would I be in mud?

thefishingfreak · 03-09-2006, 06:52 PM

ranger? your boat in martsons? i got a buddy in there.
'donna-jean' 25 foot paakah.

taJon · 03-10-2006, 01:21 PM

Looks like the hampton river marina may be the place for me. we'll see

ranger72 · 03-10-2006, 02:20 PM

Fishing Freak

No Sir! I am down in the mouth of the Saco in a very small marina known as Norwood's but I buy gas at Marston's and know many of the people in there; however I do not know your friend.There are quite a charge of boats at Marston's now.

tajon

While the Saco is a relatively shallow tidal river Marston's is located in a nicely protected area and doesn't seem to suffer from the buildup of sand coming down river...Its down at the mouth where I am that sand build-up is an issue.

There are some large vessels that moor and/or slip in the Saco and there are some sandbars up and down the river that can be troublesome at low tide but it doesn't take long to learn the river if you are a relatively experienced mariner and understand these things and of course the channel up and down the river is well marked with navigational aids.

As far as Marston's is concerned I wouldn't say that its deep water but I never seem to see any vessels on the bottom at low tide...

If you call Marston's they will put you on a waiting list and when they get to your name they will call you and give you your opportunity...

It is a family oriented marina and most people stay there for many years..The rowdy's, loud drunks, and druggies are very quickly given their money back and told not to let their dock bumpers drag in the water on the way out!

Also the local Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Power Squadron keep their vessels there as well.

Marine Patrol and Coasties are very active up and down the river; when they see a new vessel in the area they give it a thorough going through but once you prove yourself to be a Pro then they have a tendency to leave you alone..

One of the fastest ways to lose your money to these boys is to disregard the "No Wake Zone" Laws...I kid you not!

The Saco is no where near as big as Portsmouth and Great Bay so the Marine Cops get to know who is who very quickly...But if you get along reasonably well with others and obey the rules the Saco is a really great place to be..

Here is a link to Marston's Webpage there are some good pics of the layout... http://www.marstonsmarina.com/

ranger72