AS SEEN IN THE FISHERMAN MAGAZINE NEW ENGLAND EDITION

December 24, 2011 - ISSUE 49

NORTH SHORE TO MAINE REPORT

By: Capt. Greg Metcalf

Most of our reporting stations did not have much to share with us in the way of fish landings this week, but they were very interested in wishing all of their friends and customers a happy holiday season.

That is my wish as well to all of my family, friends, clients and loyal Fisherman readers. I wish you all a joyful and happy holiday season as well a healthy and prosperous New Year.

EVERETT

Pete from Fishing Fanatics reported that he went to Wachusette Reservoir last Wednesday and caught some beautiful lake trout that weighed up to three pounds jigging with Kastmasters. He also told me that anglers are still catching flounder at Hospital Shoals off of George’s Island drifting with sea worms and Zobu Rigs. With the water temperature down to 49 degrees, Pete thinks that this great flounder fishery is soon to come to end to the winter.

Offshore anglers fishing Stellwagen Bank are slaughtering jumbo pollock that have been weighing in up to 30 pounds. Haddock are also being caught in the deeper water just off the bank.

Inshore anglers are catching cod at President’s Row, and so far this year, the smelt fishing has been off the charts. The VFW at Beachnmont and Chelsea Creek in Revere both have been consistent hot spots as well as Winthrop Public Landing.

Pete will be open through Christmas from 8 to 5. He has a good supply of sea worms and will have plenty shiners when ice fishing gets started.

WINTHROP

Tomo from Bob’s Bait Shack told me that fishermen are catching smelts, mackerel and tommy cod in Winthrop Harbor around the public landing. The store is open seven days a week from 8 to 7 except for Christmas and New Year. Tomo said there are still a few hold over stripers being caught at the Amelia Earhardt Dam.

GLOUCESTER

Captain Kevin of Kayman Charters told me after some bumpy weather this weekend the Lisa and Jake and the Kayman Too returned to port "scuppers up" full of fish. All the large fish that were coming over the rails on every drift filled up the totes very quickly. If an angler had a rig with two hooks, he got doubles on every drop. There were a few cases of the Mal demure due to the weather this weekend, but the crew made the best of it before the boat headed for the barn. All the anglers did a spectacular job and headed for the hot tub at the end of the day.

The Lisa and Jake will be available for charter all year. The Kayman Too will head to dry dock at the end of the month for some winter maintenance.

The Kayman lodge is coming along well and is due to open March 15 when Captain Kevin starts his spring Haddock fishing.

Happy Holidays to all from the crew of Kayman Charters

Teresa from Yankee Fleet told me anglers enjoyed great pollock fishing this week. The sizes have been ranging between 10 to 25 pounds. Yankee Fleet is offering the great holiday gift idea of a gift certificates for a fishing trip. Anyone who purchases a $100 gift certificate you will receive a free $20 gift certificate that can be applied to any trip. Yankee Fleet boats will be fishing through the entire month of December on "good weather days". If you are on their Minuteman List you will receive an email 2-3 days prior to the day they sail. If you are interested in signing up for the Minuteman Club, send an email or call Yankee Fleet at 800-942-5464 or visit www.yankeefleet.com .

Captain Greg Mercurio from Yankee Capts reported Florida fishing is fast, furious and the weather is great. Visit www.yankeecapts.com for more information.

PLUM ISLAND

Billy from Surfland told the store is open on Saturday from 8 to 5 and on Sunday from 8 to 3 until Christmas.

Things are pretty dead on the island, but he has heard a few reports of smelt being caught in Rye Harbor.

Kay, Martha, Billy and the entire crew at Surfland wanted to wish all Fisherman Magazine readers a happy holiday season.

SACO, ME

Ken from Saco Bay Tackle told me the store is open six days a week from Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 and Saturday 9 to 4. All ice fishing gear is out and the store will have live shiners and suckers as soon as the ice forms. Now is a good time to bring your rods and reels in for servicing.

Pete is running a fantastic Christmas special! Anyone who purchases a gift certificate for $50 or more will receive a free Shakespeare fresh water rod and reel combo worth $24.99. They will also be renting the new Jiffy 10 inch propane ice augers for ice fishing this winter.

He also reported that he heard some reliable information that a few anglers caught some beautiful sea run browns in the Mousam River.

BRUNSWICK, ME

Jennifer from Johnson’s Sporting Goods told everyone is waiting for some cold weather and safe ice so the smelt fishing camps can open.

The store is open 8:30 to 8:30 Monday through Friday, 8 to 6 on Saturday and 8 to 5 on Sunday. They have all the cold weather and ice fishing gear you will need for hard water season.

CHECK OUT CAPTAIN GREG'S WEEKLY FISHING REPORT IN SOUTHERN MAINE'S

SUMMER WEEKLY THE TOURIST NEWS

Tourist News

Capt.Greg Metcalf
P.O. Box 813, Kennebunkport, Maine 04046
(401) 617 9265
greg@captaingregmetcalf.com