New Hampshire Charters

Saltwater Fishing In New Hampshire

New Hampshire has thirteen miles of shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean. Inlets, coves, beaches, and rocky shores make up the coast, offering anglers a variety of fishing spots. At Portsmouth, the Piscataqua River empties into the Atlantic, and several species of fish can be found there, too. Waters around the Isles of Shoals also provide some great fishing. These are a group of small islands about ten miles off New Hampshire.

The most popular fish with anglers of the Granite State is the striped bass. Stripers usually move into Great Bay in May, and they hang around until the water gets uncomfortably cold for them – usually in November. The state record fish was taken from Great Bay and weighed 60 pounds, but numerous fish weighing over 50 pounds have also been landed here.

Winter flounder move into New Hampshire inland waters in February or March in order to spawn. The fish will usually stay in these waters until the fall, when the water temperature significantly drops. Other flounders or flukes that can be caught in New Hampshire include the summer flounder, the windowpane flounder, and the yellowtail flounder. The New Hampshire state record winter flounder weighed 2 pounds, 7.04 ounces – perfect for frying whole.

Charter Fishing In New Hampshire

Bluefish is another favorite target with New Hampshire fishermen. Large schools of blues move into New Hampshire waters in early summer and remain until mid-September. These fish have voracious appetites and will strike almost anything when they’re hungry. They put up a good fight when hooked, too. Even a small blue provides some exciting angling. The stated record bluefish weighed 21 pounds and was landed in Great Bay. Numerous New Hampshire fishing charters target blues.

Atlantic codfish can be found both nearshore and offshore. Cod can survive a wide range of depths, but most are found near the bottom in around 300 feet of water – especially the larger fish. Cod make for some fine eating, and they get big. The New Hampshire state record Atlantic cod was a 98-pound, 12-ounce brute that was landed near the Isles of Shoals. You’ll have no problem finding fishing charters in New Hampshire to take you cod fishing.

While you’re fishing for other finned species in New Hampshire waters, you might “accidentally” hook a monkfish. These have to be among the ugliest fish in the sea, but ironically, they’re one of the most delicious. Many compare their flesh to lobster.

Another strange fish often caught off the coast of New Hampshire is the wolfish. These fish have round heads, small eyes, and sharp tusks. They live on or near the ocean floor and feed on mollusks, starfish, and crabs, and some wolfish have been caught that measure more than five feet in length. As scary as they are, wolfish are actually quite tasty. Just be careful of its snapping jaws if you should land one.