Maine Fishing Report: Stripers, Mackerel, and Offshore Haddock Bite

Sunrise here on the Maine Atlantic coast hit right around 5:02am—early, but not too early for the diehards—and sunset’s rolling in just after 8:23pm tonight, with a long day of good light ahead of us. Tides for June 14th in York Harbor show a high at 1:33am and 2:18pm, low at 8:11am and 8:12pm. That morning low and late-afternoon high are your best windows if you’re looking to fish the flats or work the river mouths, which is where the real action’s at right now.

The weather’s shaping up nice for us—not a blustery day, not too hot, not too cold. Perfect for getting out there and not getting blown off the water. Over the last week, according to local guides and Webhannet Bait and Tackle, stripers have been busting up on river herring, especially in the Saco River and around the mouths of the bigger estuaries. Mackerel have moved in closer to shore and are making excellent forage for both bass and those looking to fill the livewell for bait. Anglers are reporting some schoolie surface feeds near the Cliff House area—always a sight to see at dawn.

Had your heart set on some groundfishing? Offshore’s been lights out. Big haddock—many pushing 5 pounds or more, with a few monsters just over 10—are being pulled up by the boatload. If you’re jigging or baiting up with clams or shrimp, you’re in good company. Clams have been working wonders in the Kennebunk River, while paddletails and tube-and-worm rigs are the go-to for the bass crowd.

As for lures, you can’t go wrong with a Bone SP Minnow or a white soft plastic stickbait. For those targeting mackerel, size 10-12 Sabiki Rigs with gold flash or UV are bringing in the most macks, especially at first light.

Hot spots? The river mouths in the Saco area are red hot, especially on an outgoing tide. Try the flats and grass banks around Casco Bay when the water’s pushing in—that’s where the big bass are ambushing grass shrimp and baitfish. And don’t forget about the offshore ledges—your odds for haddock and pollock have never been better this year.

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