Surfland Fishing Report

Schoolie fishing is good right on the beachfront. Had some guys come by and say they were plentiful, if a little small. Storm shad and Charlie Graves are working, as well as clams and worms.
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Also got this good video from one of our local guides:
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Hey there this is capt. Eliot from plum island south… Here is that movie I wanted you to scope. It was made right off plum island, oregon, Bahamas, and Salem harbor.
I compiled all footage from last season off my Parker 23 & a gopro cam! It’s a little rough but i think the audience would love it!

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See it on Youtube Click Here

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Many thanks, Eliot & Greasybeaksflyfishing.com
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Here’s a nice fish from this week: Chris Young, Joppa Flats 26 inches. Released forthwith.

This morning we had a few guys fishing the mouth of the Merrimac River for the outgoing tide. Carl Heise from Hampton, NH  caught this 23-12 lb striper near the bottom of the tide using a RonZ. George Bossi was also in the river fishing and he caught and released three fish in the 30″ range using a bucktail jig with a piece of pork rind, the “pig & jig”.  Some of the guys have seen swarms of sandeels inside the river so thick that it is like a black mass. Great to see so much bait.  Have heard also that the other end of the island is producing fish too. Which also means that Ipswich must have some nice fish. If anyone has a boat, time to check out the sound for some schoolies.

The oceanfront is still hot. Mostly bait, but have heard a few good stories of some bigger fish being caught with lures. Anything from the bucktail, the softbaits, metal, and top water. Teddy, a local islander had a fish straighten his hook on a bucktail.

Well, we can’t tell you much more than to come down the next few mornings or early evenings, walk the beach and throw some lures. Or if you prefer park it and soak some bait. Most everyone has gone home happy. Just have to put in the time. This weather, although some of you might not like it, it is great fishing weather.

MAY HOURS
MON – THURS: 6 am-7 pm
FRIDAY: 6 am-8 pm
SATURDAY: 5 am-8 pm
SUNDAY: 5 am-7 pm

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Got a pic from Tom H. of Hampstead New Hampshire from over the weekend.
“Picked up this 33″ 12lb at Castleneck River on a “special” Surfland Jumping Minow.”
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For those folks who were out on PI beach to see the Super Moon Saturday night, there was an added attraction. A great-to-watch dusk blitz between 55th street and the sand bar a mile south. Just as the moon was coming up you could spot the nervous water 30-50 feet offshore, well within casting distance. Hell, even my pal’s dog stopped to see the show.

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Medium-sized bass were rolling in the calm water and chasing schools of juvenile herring right up onto the beach. You could see those lovely crescent waves of bait running for their lives. The dog stopped and pointed at the action, like he was seeking birds. And the bait jumped right into the sand at his feet.

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The fishermen were pointing at the bait too. This unidentified surfcaster latched onto a nice school right at 43rd street. You can see the moonrise off the ocean. Lovely night.

Whether it was in honor of Cinco de Mayo or the Super Full Moon, the fishing has been HOT HOT HOT. Yesterday we kept hearing about fish all day. The oceanfront seems to have been the hottest area. Terry Murphy from Darcut came in later in the afternoon with this 9-11 pounder that he caught on clams. Terry also caught and released five other fish all 28″ and under on worms. Worms and clams, clams and worms……….they both are getting the job done.

This morning, May 6th, Chris French from Lynnfield MA caught his 11-4 on a Hopkins, from a Kayak during the bottom of the outgoing tide somewhere in the river.

And, the biggest news of the weekend, of course is the Kelly Boys. They arrived early this am and went to the oceanfront. Andy says the fish started striking pretty much as soon as the line got wet. The beach was fairly busy today. All you could see were rods bending! Pictured here is Tommy Kelly with his two fish that weighed in at 11 and 10-4 lbs. They say the action lasted all morning. Between the three of them, they caught and released about another 40 fish, all 28″ plus sized with a few in the mid 30′s range. They also caught a few smaller fish later in the morning/early afternoon. Most everybody has had a great day today!

Well the morning has started off with a few fish along the oceanfront. Ken Page from Raymond, NH pictured here caught his 9 and 10-4 using worms.

We were also happy to see Jamie “Skate Slayer” Graham in today with his prize from this past winter. His catch weighed in at 13 pounds. He also named his little sea creature Maggie. Congrats Jamie!

We also were witness to Maggie’s grandpa singing a lullaby (unknown to him he was being recorded on iphone)but decided we better not post it, he was out of tune! Plus the buggy guys would of had a field day with this!!!

Also just in was Jacob Power from Westford, Ma. Jacob is a juniors memeber of the Plum Island Surfcasters. He was in to record his catch & release that he caught on worms. Congrats Jacob!

They’re starting to come in to the shop with dinners!

One of those Kelley Boys.
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Kevin Gaffey
Mouth of Merrimac
Hopkins lure
10-4 lbs.
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Kevin says that he fished the outgoing tide in the mouth and about two hours
before the low there was a quick blitz that produced fish from 25-33″.
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Coach Bossi
Also caught in the river at the bottom of the outgoing tide. Bucktail jig. Mouth of the Merrimac River. 14 lbs

Weather’s been lousy for the last few days, but the fish don’t know that. We got this note last night and a pic to go with it.

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Today, Andy Kelly came to fish the oceanfront. He arrived early this morning am fished the incoming tide. He caught two fish in the mid thirty inch range. The one he kept to consume weighed in at 15 pounds. worms were Andy’s choice of bait today.
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Over the last few days we have heard of most of the action being in the Parker River. One fisherman that went out in the rain two days ago came back to report that he got a few fish all just under  the 28″ range. He walked from Sandy Point to around the back side into the river. He caught his fish using a pencil popper and it was during the bottom of the outgoing tide. Other action inside the parker had produced fish from 10 INCHES up to 11POUNDS. And so far they have been caught on lures, the ever popular lead head jigs and the increasingly sought after Sebile Magic Swimmers. The dreary overcast weather of the last few days is PERFECT fishing weather!, especially with plugs.
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On the other side of the island, the mouth of the Merrimack River the action has been slow. But Deer Island perked up today with many mid-twenty inch fish brought up.
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Now is the time to start trying for White Perch if you are a fan. Kay had a customer tell her that this time last year is when he started to catch them so he is headed out to see if they are there now.
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Reports of Shad are very far and few. The guys that have tried have produced a few but nothing in any quantity. Hmmmmmmm? WE NOW HAVE LEAD FREE SHAD DARTS IN STOCK!