The 2007 New England Season

Well, I rolled the boat over in the backyard two days ago, so I guess it’s time to look back over the 2007 season. Based on my observations and the reports I received from others, this year’s fishing displayed wide geographic variability. Stand in one spot and you thought the fishing was down-right terrible, stand in another and the fishing was all you could hope for. In Narragansett Bay, where they had adult bunker, I hear that stripers, including big ones, were found on a daily basis. The Bay also had very good bites for bluefish and little tunny. Boston Harbor was good for bass - as it was last year - and they had some large bluefish as well. The Bay side of the Cape was pretty good for bass too and had an excellent little tunny and bonito season as well. Super striper fishing was the norm up in Maine, where the catch rates have gone right through the roof in recent times. Yes, I think the Pine Tree state now catches on the order of 4 million bass per year. Amazing. The outer beaches of the Cape, on the other hand, produced poorly for beach bound anglers, but those in boats could go out a mile and find fish. And this fall Vineyard anglers, including those on the sand, saw a monster load of little tunny.

From Watch Hill westward to the Connecticut River, however, the picture was far, far, dimmer. It was all about bluefish and not much else. Some big bass were caught on bait, but overall the striper chew was poor all summer long, and the water stayed so outrageously warm right thru October, the fall bite didn’t kick into gear until mid-November and even then it faded away like a pricked balloon. Not good. Nor did these waters hold little tunny or bonito in good numbers. In fact it has been a long time since these two fish put in an appearance like they regularly did during the 1990s. Tough tuna times for sure. Yes, I know......across the way in Montauk there were some very good days for little tunny, especially in early October.

Overall, the New England chews were best to the east and north. This probably reflects the changing status of the stocks, forage distribution, and yes- the trend toward warmer water temperatures. Its enough to make me pack my bags and move up I-95.

(Home)