need north shore assistance!

[keithj]

I have to take my boss out on his boat fishing tomorrow. He's in the Merrimack River. I have not fished north of the canyons in over a month and I have no idea what I'm doing on the North Shore (almost never fish up there). If you could offer any advice or general locations where there may be bass or tuna activity, please PM me. I assure you he and I offer NO significant threat to your fishery! I just want to catch something. We are in a 30 foot pursuit.

Many thanks in advance, and I would happily exchange your north shore knowledge for any knowledge that I may have relating to productive areas off cape cod.

[red herring]

you can fish the mouth of the Merrimack - just be careful and observant of what's going on around you at all times. The area is full of yahoos - no not just yahoos, Idiots - combined with swift water and bars. Lots of boat traffic but that's where the bass are. Outgoing tide.

I like to live line macs just off the mouth near the bar. Drifting chunks is very popular there. I've also had success just trolling around with yozuris,etc and also casting bucktail jigs (usually smaller size fish and blues when present).

You will see people at anchor and drifting in the mouth. You'll see charter boats and dinghies all bobbing around in the chop of the boat wakes being churned up by Yuks you blast by you at 20 yards.

There has been a big school of bass in the area - fish at least up to 43" chasing small herring any where from 1/2 to 8 miles offshore under birds - great fun to cast to. Tunas are mixed up with them and they are spread out over Ipswich bay, Cape Ann and out to Jeffries. Getting one to bite is another story.

Isle of Shoals is covered in macs right now - big bass chasing them there along w/tuna but again hooking a tuna isn't something that happens when you are actually trying to do it!

Good luck.

[keithj]

Thanks a ton red herring.

[CindyLou]

x2 on live macs drifted at the mouth. You might be able to pick up some macs at Breaking Rock (north of the mouth by a few miles...if there are macs there you'll see the boats). I've heard the same that Isle of Shoals is loaded w/ macs, so you could also run out there and just fish that area instead. Might be the better option of the mouth is too crowded for your tastes. Also agree that there are plenty of tuna around, but most seem to be up and down real fast. You should stop by Crossraods Bait and Tackle in Salisbury...ask them where the macs are, etc. Very helpful guys. Also, casting big white/silver Ron-z plastics at the mouth is proven. Again...outgoing is best, but watch out if any East wind kicks up (gets sloppy). Have fun

[capemike88]

Keithj, I run a charter boat on the Merrimac and will be out running a clients boat from 6-10am tmrw. 978 729 4690 hit me up and I'll fill you in.

[Thynnus]

There have been lots of reports of BFT from 2-8 miles out of the Merrimack but as others have said, they are difficult to hook to say the least. They are on juvenile spike mackeral and small herring, so bring the Ljacks, marias and crippled herring jigs and the yozuri hydro poppers. We are heading to Veatch / Hydro, good luck out there Keith.

[keithj]

Thanks a lot everyone. I think I at least have a plan now!