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Date: September 4, 2023 Body of Water: Casco Bay - Maine Boat: amybaby22 With: Alone Target: Striped Bass Time: 6 AM - 1 PM Moon Phase: Full plus six days; waning gibbous moon Tide: Low tide at 8:53 AM Conditions: Mostly clear, light southwesterly wind, about 60 - 75 degrees. Water temperatures 62 - 64 degrees F (+/-) The alarm was set for "early", but somehow I arrived 10 or 15 minutes "late" for my plan. I called the first audible of the day, and chose to stay close for any potential early morning/low light bite instead of traveling to Littlejohn Island in search of a big fish. It was a good call, too, because my second popper cast of the day along the local Falmouth shoreline was engulfed by a 25-inch striper! This was my first top-water Maine striper of the year!?! Moving down the shoreline in eight or ten feet of water, I continued fan-casting with the Hogy popper and spot-locking whenever I found fish. I found plenty in the couple of hundred yards I fished, landing a total of seven to 27 inches, and enjoying many misses and chases. I observed a couple of Cape Cod-style mini-blitzes, too, when a half-dozen or so fish would come to the top at once. These were ephemeral, though, lasting only a few seconds, and usually occurring when I was already hooked up or handling a hooked fish. The strikes became misses, the misses became swirls and the swirls dissolved into follows and silence. Everything happened on the Hogy popper while a Rebel Jumpin' Minnow was universally ignored. By 7 AM, having not raised a fish in ten or so minutes (I am getting very impatient) and with the sun climbing higher in the sky, I headed toward Hussey Sound. I expected to pass through and go straight to Red Marker No. 2 in search of bait, but I made another audible just outside the anchorage. I'd noticed a seal and a surface swirl between the anchorage and the west end of Clapboard Island. Idling down, I found two distinct schools of baitfish on the slick calm surface. I thought they were pogies and so I tied on a snagging hook, but after a few fruitless casts, realized they were mackerel. I soon had 20 in the well; these were easy targets and came aboard four to six at a time. Since I was so close to Clapboard, I tried the west end. After an unproductive pass, I motored directly to Littlejohn Island. I moved nothing in the water that had produced some action two days earlier, and followed that with a pass around Chebeague's east end at about slack low tide. Once again, I moved nothing, and so I decided to explore some new water. I visited Bustins and Little Bustins Islands for the first time. Focusing on their southwesterly ends, I still found no biters, but the current was picking up and a breeze was forming from the south. I headed down the bay towards Moshier Island. I thought I'd try the steep and rocky southern shoreline for the first time, but a couple of boats were anchored on prime rock formations. Instead, I continued west and deployed a bait as I approached the southwestern point. Wind-exposed rocks here plunged into decent depths, and there was a little current pushing me along. All the necessary elements were present! I had almost completed my first pass here when finally, at about 10:30 AM, I got another bite. This bass pulled drag like crazy when it felt the sting of my hook, and I was surprised that this fish measured only 28 inches when I finally landed it. My next pass produced a 26, and my third pass enticed an undetected slicing drive-by by a bluefish. But after a fourth pass without a touch, and then unproductively continuing through previous waypoints at the next point, I was off to Littlejohn. Perhaps the ongoing flood would be more conducive to finding some fish here? And, how could I not continue to try the spot that had produced my largest ever striper? I was right over the waypoint for that fish when my mackerel was swiped from the surface and I connected with what I that was small bass. But the fish jumped, and I realized I was connected to a smallish bluefish. After another couple of jumps and shorts runs from the net, I landed my second Maine Blue of 2023. It wasn't the "gator" I've seen reports about, but it was still a fun diversion from the norm. ![]() After another pass without action, I was off to Clapboard Island's east end. The incoming tide was advanced enough to make this area attractive. Could I pull off another High Noon Lunker? I attracted no attention off the steep rocky walls, but some wind-driven current pushed me around the island's tip and into the quiet water of it's north side. This stretch has historically produced for me at higher tidal stages, so I kept my bait in the water. I missed two bites here before circling back with a fresh mackerel. On cue, it was hit hard. When I tightened, the fish ran long and hard for a pair of lobster pots. Fortunately, I was able to stop the fish short. Once again, I was surprised how "small" a fish could fight so hard. This one measured 30 inches and took the prize for biggest of the day. Even though I still had plenty of bait and time, I headed back in. I was hot and tired, and it had been a good day all around! What do I have to say about this? What a nice day! It was a welcome change to catch the early bite, have active bass on top, make unexpectedly easy bait, reveal a couple of new spots, find a couple of blues, and land double-digit stripers! Grilled burgers, ice cream and a comeback win on the road for the Sox just added to it! Finally, I saw my local fly-fishing guide coming and going through the straights between Littlejohn and Chebeague Islands, right on cue as he chased the low tide from Yarmouth. I suspect he went to Broad Cove, I need to return there and check it out for the fall! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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