We are averaging 30 fish per trip right now on fly and spinning gear.
Capt. Dave Pecci 06-20-17 Report
The schoolies are feeding on the surface while the tide is moving.
5/29 Report - Capt. Dave Pecci
A very busy guiding season is winding down. I've spent around 120 days on the water and I'll admit it, I'm a bit worn down. But there are things that recharge my batteries. Beautiful sunrises. Smiles of clients when the rod bends. Their wonderment when seeing eagles, seals and ospreys. Those strange and unexpected catches. Spending time with friends who were once just customers. I am a blessed man.
A very busy guiding season is winding down. I'll admit it, I'm a bit worn down but...
Fishing Report 09-01-16
The Dog Days of Summer are Here on the Kennebec River - Striped bass are into a fairly constant night feed because of rising water temperatures. We are taking advantage of this by leaving the dock at or before sunrise. There are fish blitzing on the surface almost every morning for an hour or two. They're eating poppers on both fly and spinning rods. As the sun comes up we change...
"We are taking advantage of this by leaving the dock at or before sunrise"
Fishing Report Aug. 15, 2016
Conditions: Water temps are now in the mid 70s upriver and in the low 60s downriver. Water clarity is slightly diminished in the River due to the runoff from inland rains. The clarity on the beaches is excellent. The River is holding several schools of striped bass ranging from 12" to 28". There are some larger fish staged up on the beaches and the south facing ledges from Indian Point to Cape Small.
Bait the fish are feeding on: River Herring, American eels, Alewives, Mackerel, Sea Herring and Sand eels
Fishing Tactics: Warmer water and bright sunlight is causing the striped bass to move into deeper water by mid morning. So go early, use topwater lures at first light and change to subsurface lures and flies as it brightens up.
July Fishing is Looking Every Bit as Great as June!
Conditions: Water temps in the river range from 65*-75*. The beaches are around 60*. There's tons of bait everywhere so the stripers have full bellies by mid day. The best bite is really early and again at dusk. But, with some patience you'll catch fish from late morning through the afternoon in the deeper water.
This year the River is fishing so good my trips to the beach have been fewer than normal but when I've gone the action has been worth the 12 mile run.
July 11 Fishing Report
Normand Saucier and Bob Emmons with a striper caught on live eel
Conditions: We are seeing some of the very best early June striped bass fishing in years. Lots of surface blitzes on both the incoming and outgoing tides. Water temp is between 60* and 67* and water clarity is good.
Bait the fish are feeding on: River Herring, Alewives, Mackerel, Sea Herring and Sand Eels
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.
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.
Conditions: The water clarity has improved greatly this week flow is still a bit high. Temps upriver are in the low to mid 70s. mid 50s at the beaches.
Bait the fish are feeding on: Juvenile Atlantic herring, sand eel, river herring, eel
My fly fishing tip of the week: Work rips and structure with sinking lines. Your fishfinder is your very best friend.
My spin fishing tip of the week: Carolina rigged eels and cut bait is doing the trick mid day. Bucktails and shad bodies are working great too.
7 day outlook: Hot and humid this coming week. Chance of showers now and then. Lots of striped bass can be found from Bath to the beaches. Go Fishing!
Mike & Leslie Harsip from MA with a nice June Kennebec striped bass 06-20-15 photo
Conditions: The striped bass have been moving around the river following bait. Some have moved well upriver. Water temps are in the high 50s to mid 60s.
Bait the fish are feeding on: Juvenile Atlantic herring, sand eel, river herring, eel
Species to fish for this week: Striped Bass, Atlantic Mackerel
Fishing Tactics: The schools of stripers are spending more time on structure now. Rather than feeding on the surface. Use your fishfinder to locate underwater ledges and banks with lots of current.
My fly fishing tip of the week: Time go to Depthcharge lines, weighted flies and focus on structure.
My spin fishing tip of the week: Bucktail jigs and shad bodies will get you down to the fish.
7 day outlook: The weather is looking up after Sunday’s deluge. Inland rainfall amounts were much lower than along the coast so increased flow and run off should not be a problem this week. Falling morning tides should provide great fishing.
Neil Dunlop and his buddy Dave Shaw enjoyed a fun morning on the Kennebec River and along the beaches of Casco Bay. This fish took a chartreuse Clouser Minnow in about 10 feet of water.
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.
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.
Charlotte Harbor Fishing Conditions: A few pods of tarpon are now showing up on the beaches. Individual fish are spread throughout the Sound. Water clarity has improved and there are schools of bait showing up. Water temps are rising into the mid 70’s.
Fly Fishing Technics: We spent this week fly fishing Upper Pine Island Sound for rolling and laid up tarpon. Slow sinking flies work best.
Tarpon Fishing Tip of the Week: Start early and watch for rolling tarpon. Blind cast to close by edges and deep holes.
Other Species Fished for This Week: Snook, Seatrout and Redfish
Charlotte Harbor Tarpon Fishing Fishing Outlook: Stable weather will allow the water temps to rise into the upper 70s. Pods of tarpon should become more common along the beaches from Captiva to Boca Grande.
Justin Pecar (eleven) from Colorado lands this 100 pound plus blue shark with a little help from his dad and Capt. Dave.
Really cool underwater shot of a 26" striped bass caught off the beach at the mouth of the Kennebec River.
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.
Justin Pecar (eleven) from Colorado lands this 100 pound plus blue shark with a little help from his dad and Capt. Dave
June and July striped bass fishing on the Kennebec River With Obsession Sportfishing Charters.