Tuna Fishing

Midcoast,  Maine

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Football tuna (weighing 40-100 pounds) show up in the Gulf of Maine in July and usually stay into the fall. They hang on offshore structure while feeding on herring and mackerel. We cruise areas 5-15 miles from shore where these baitfish consistently hold looking for breaking schools of tuna, then maneuver up to the schools and sight cast with 12 - 14 weight fly rods and 50 lb. class spinning gear. The experience of a tuna’s savage bite followed by screaming drag is unforgettable. Size and possession limits change often so check with Capt. Dave regarding what can be taken home on your charter. You can also check out the NOAA Fisheries HMS website for current tuna regulations. Successful trips depend on light winds and 1-3 foot seas. If it blows up and the seas become too rough to spot tuna we can spend the balance of your trip fishing for striped bass and bluefish inshore assuring that you don't miss out on a fun filled day on the water. We depart Bath at sunrise (4:30-6:00 AM) on the OBSESSION for 6-7 hours. Maximum capacity for our Tuna trips is 4 clients at a cost of $575 for the trip. (Not per person) It is best to contact Capt. Dave a day or two before your trip to discuss the latest weather forecast.

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Kennebec River / Casco Bay Fishing Report August 17th, 2015

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Conditions: August conditions, High surface temps are causing the striped bass to hold deep. Offshore, the water temps are finally where they should be.

Bait the fish are feeding on: Atlantic herring, sand eel, river herring, eel, pollock

Species to fish for this week: Striped bass, Bluefish, tuna and shark

Fishing Tactics: Fish the shallows during low light and then fish deep structure where the water is cooler mid day.

My fly fishing tip of the week: August is tuff fly fishing but if you go early and work structure near moving water you can prevail... Sinking lines are a must.                                         

My spin fishing tip of the week: Use your fish finder to locate schools of striped bass in deep structure.

 

7 day outlook: IN shore: Hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms. Stripers are now into a night feed so fish early and late. Off shore: Tuna are still a no show but it could happen any day now that the cold water has retracted to the east. Shark fishing is heating up and should be very good. 

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Kennebec River / Casco Bay Fishing Report August 3rd, 2015

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Conditions: The striped bass have moved upriver into their summer haunts. Water quality is good and the flow rate will subside this week due to the waning moon. The offshore shark and tuna fishing remains slow... Not sure why but it will turn on any day.

 

Bait the fish are feeding on: Atlantic herring, sand eel, river herring, eel, pollack

Species to fish for this week: Inshore - Striped Bass, Atlantic Mackerel, Offshore - Porebeagle, Mako, Thresher and Blue sharks

Fishing Tactics: August means focusing on deeper water. With surface temps upriver reaching the mid to high 70s the striped bass are holding deep on ledges and along the mud banks.

My fly fishing tip of the week: Two word: Go Early                

My spin fishing tip of the week: Your fishfinder is your best friend. Look for schools of stripers in 15-30 feet of water. Use bucktails and metal jigs to reach them. Carolina rigged cut bait and live eels are producing.

 

7 day outlook: Hot and humid this coming week watch out for those afternoon thunderstorms. 

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Kennebec River / Casco Bay Fishing Report July 6th, 2015

Conditions: The River is a bit muddy due to some heavy rain last week and big tides. Water temps are from the high 50s to high 60s.

Bait the fish are feeding on: Juvenile Atlantic herring, sand eel, river herring, eel

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Species to fish for this week: Striped Bass, Atlantic Mackerel, some sharks offshore

Fishing Tactics: Big bulky flies and bright colored lures up river, more life-like offerings downriver in the cleaner water are working best. The striped bass are hanging on structure with sporadic surface feeds happening early and late day.

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My fly fishing tip of the week: Sinking lines and medium sized flies fished around structure and banks are producing great right now.

My spin fishing tip of the week: Switch to bait during mid-day when the striped bass go deep. Worms and cut bait are working in many spots on the river.

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7 day outlook: great weather and warmer temps will increase the water temps. Post full moon tides will slow the current in the river.

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Young Justin Brings a Huge Gulf of Maine Blue Shark to the Boat

Justin Pecar (eleven) from Colorado lands this 100 pound plus blue shark with a little help from his dad and Capt. Dave.

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August Gulf of Maine Blue Shark Fishing

The Ishee family had a great day shark fishing on the Obsession. This one was caught on a whole mackerel using 30# stand up gear.

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Ocean Sunfish swimming by the Obsession

Ocean sunfish (mola - mola) 15 miles offshore in the Gulf of Maine. We cam across this odd looking thing in August on our way home from a tuna / shark charter. It was 7-8 feel long. Great end to a fun day on Obsession Sportfishing Charters.

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Tarpon off the beaches of Gaspirilla Island

On and Gone - 70-80 pounder pulled the hook on the first run. What a thrill.

 

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Spring is Coming!

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Spring is coming. I'm guiding in Charlotte Harbor currently and making plans for the upcoming Maine guiding season. I'm looking forward to seeing you all in June! Capt. Dave Pecci

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Kennebec River / Casco Bay Fishing Report 07-06-13

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Very good striped bass fishing continued this week on both flies and light tackle. Lots of stripers from 14” to 36” are spread throughout the lower Kennebec River. Water flow is still very high and the river is muddy so the incoming tide is fishing best right now. The first bunches of menhaden arrived and hopefully the bluefish are not far behind. Offshore in the gulf of Maine the water temps are a bit below where they normally are but this week’s heat will fix that. There are blue sharks to catch but plan on running a bit farther than usual for good action. As the water warms the runs will shorten to the usual 6-10 miles and the threshers and makos will be easier to find. School Bluefin tuna are spotty but hopefully the rising temps will settle down the offshore bait and the tuna will start feeding. Still having a bit of a problem with website updates so check our Facebook page for photos, videos and more frequent fishing reports. We’re seeing the best light tackle and fly fishing in many years. I have openings from mid-month on, give me a call or message me and we’ll go catch em!

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Almost Ready to Fish the Kennebec River Again!

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One more full day of make ready and the Obsession will be launched for the 2013 season. New 150 four stroke Yamaha, new porta potti, key switch, new stern light... Safety gear - check, electronics - check, pumps - check, Through hull fittings - check. Striped bass, bluefish, sharks and tuna here we come!

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