Stripers from 24” to 48” long and weighing as much as 30 pounds spend the summer in the waters of the Kennebec River Watershed and surrounding beaches and islands. Striped Bass show up in good numbers usually during late May here in the mid coast area of Maine. The first to arrive are the smaller, younger fish. They show up in vast schools as the water temperature reaches the mid 50’s. These first arrivals are full of spunk and eat everything put in front of them. 12 pound class spinning gear and 6-8 wt. fly rods are the weapons of choice. Lures and flies vary from the smallest juvenile baitfish imitations to full sized offerings that mimic 12” Alewives and Herring.
Eleven Hancock Lumber workers enjoyed an afternoon on the Kennebec River with 4 of the guides operating from the Kennebec Tavern and Marina. The fish cooperated and everyone had a great time catching fish on light tackle. The guys on the Obsession landed 14 striped bass including the big fish pool winner during their 4 hour charter.
Just some of the pics from this week... The best August Striped bass fishing on the Kennebec in years.
Larry and Peter joined Obsession Sportfishing Charters for a morning of spin and fly fishing for striped bass on the Kennebec River. Despite high flow and muddy water we managed to boat eight stripers and were back to the dock in time for lunch.
3 minute video of the Schaaab party striped bass light tackle fishing on August 16th. We caught these fish spin fishing withj bucktail jigs.
August light tackle fishing for striped bass continues to be good on the Kennebecv River. Even with muddy water and high flow from Wednesday's rains the stripers are still feeding. This morning we had action on jigs in the lower river. As the tide dropped and the water quality worsened the fishing slowed down. The forecast for coming week looks good and the water quality will improve. We will be venturing offshore to look for tuna and shark. Reports to follow.
August striped bass fishing on the Kennebec River continues to be great! here's a few pics from this week's action. Light tackle lures and live eels as well as fly fishing are producing fish. If you're looking to fly or lure fish plan on an EARLY departure. Bait is working all day...
My good friend Darrell Nix and his family spent Sunday morning onboard the Obsession. We enjoyed perfect weather and excellent light tackle striped bass fishing. The fish were holding deep on ledges so Carolina rigged live eels were the meal of choice. We are seeing the best early August fishing in years. Most of the fish today were in the 22”- 25” range and very brightly colored indicating they were new to the Kennebec River Estuary. I have 8 open days in August, call, text or email me today and book your trip!
Here's some of the fly fishing and light tackle action on August 31,2014. We caught them on jigs, flies and live eels on thia this trip. The fish were staged up in many places along the lower Kennebec River.
Striped Bass fishing on the Kennebec River continues to be great. With water temps in the mid 70s most of the mid day action is on Bucktail jigs and live bait. Fly fishing and light tack lure fishing is productive early before the sun gets bright. We have some open dates in August, call or email today to book your charter!
Live eels are the breakfast of choice for the stripers now we are into mid summer. The fishing continues to be the best in years here on the Kennebec.
Kennebec River and Casco Bay Fishing Conditions: Very Good - The river flow is returning to normal levels. Water temps range from the mid-70s up river to 60* on the beaches. Striped bass are staged throughout the River in structure.
Best Striped Bass Fly Fishing Technics: Surface activity is becoming less common with the rise in water temp. Blind cast near structure and rips. Cover lots of water and you'll find them. Go early, by mid morning the stripers have full bellies and are hard to entice.
Best Striper Light Tackle / Spin Fishing Technics: Bucktail jigs and shad bodies are working great along rips and banks.
My Fly Fishing Tip of the Week: Watch for birds diving on bait then use your sounder to locate schools of striped bass. Fish slow and deep especially after sunrise.
7 Day Outlook: Fishing will improve with reduced flow now that the noon is waning.
I get asked from time to time if rainy weather affects the fishing... My smart-alecky answer usually is " Nope, the fish are already wet". I had a great week meeting folks from all over the country who braved the rain and fog with good results I might add...
I'll let you decide if fish care if its raining.
I love foggy mornings on the Kennebec River, though I could do without the rain... Eric and Janet Teske and Eric’s Brother Chris Braved the wet conditions and wind to catch a bunch of striped bass while on vacation here in Maine.
Capt. Forrest Faulkingham, Capt. Hank DeRuiter and I were blessed by spending the morning with eight American Armed Forces Veterans today. Though the weather was less than perfect the fishing was good and everyone had a great time. For three years Capt Faulkingham and House in the Woods from Lee, Maine have coordinated this outing. These eight men were so grateful for the time donated to take them fishing but it does not compare to the gratitude I have for them and their sacrifices.
Thank you to Poulin Bros Lobster, Bath Hampton Inn and The Monsweag Roadhouse who donated rooms and food to round out this two day outing.
House in the Woods is an outdoor retreat program that “honors our veterans and their families' sacrifices and assists them in their journey towards healing the mental and physical pain of loss.”
FMI: www.houseinthewoods.org
Kennebec River and Casco Bay Fishing Conditions: Stripers are spread throughout the River right now. No big schools or sustained top water feeds now that the water temps have reached the high 60s and low 70s. The river is full of river herring, alewives, sea herring and sand eels. The stripers are all fat and happy. Mid day fishing is tuff so go early and late.
Best Striped Bass Fly Fishing Technics: Surface activity is becoming less common with the rise in water temp. Use your best small mouth bass technics; blind cast structure and rips. Cover lots of water and you'll find them. Go early, by mid morning the stripers have full bellies and are hard to entice.
Best Striper Light Tackle / Spin Fishing Technics: Stripers are settling in on their summer ledges hangouts. Heavy bucktails and shad bodies are working great. Carolina rigged bait is beginning to produce and will be the hot set up over the next several weeks.
My Fly Fishing Tip of the Week: Water surface temps are now in the mid 70s. The stripers will be holding in deeper water. Use Depthcharge lines and weighted flies.
7 Day Outlook: Big tides are causing strong currents throughout the river, Water clarity is improving. There are lots of stripers in the River but the bite is early and late in the day due to warm water and full bellies.
Doug Bear from Orvis doing it in fine style on the Kennebec River with the Helios2. Always a pleasure Doug, enjoy the rest of your time in Maine and wishing you safe travels home to PA. See you next year!
More photos of the fun Fly fishing and light tackle fishing on the Kennebec river.
Here are some of the pictures from last week's fly fishing and light tackle spin fishing Charters. We continue to have some of the best striper action in years. email or gve us a call to book you trip.
Larry and Justin from the Camden area enjoyed a foggy and overcast morning fly fishing on the Kennebec as Hurricane Arthur creeps up the coast. Justin who is new to fly fishing landed several schoolies with an Orvis H2 rod and a 450 Depthcharge line. Larry caught a few as well. The fishing was a bit slow today due to the approaching storm. The stripers all moved off the flats into the rips and along banks in 10’-15’ of water. When the weather changes the fish’s habits, we change our tactics. Thanks for a great morning on the river guys!
