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World-Class Striper Fishing in Portsmouth, NH
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Portsmouth, NH
- $400 - $550 price range
Summary
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Big Striper Catches
Landed a feisty striped bass while casting light tackle at the marina!
Striped bass caught at the picturesque Portsmouth Marina on a partly cloudy day.
Casting lures and bait under the partly cloudy skies at the Portsmouth Marina.
A huge striped bass reeled in with fancy fly fishing moves!
Striped bass on the line - fly fishing magic at Portsmouth Marina!
Striped Bass on the line in Portsmouth's partly cloudy waters!
Huge 835-inch Striped Bass reeled in at Portsmouth Marina!
Landed a feisty striped bass while casting light tackle at the marina!
Striped bass caught at the picturesque Portsmouth Marina on a partly cloudy day.
Casting lures and bait under the partly cloudy skies at the Portsmouth Marina.
A huge striped bass reeled in with fancy fly fishing moves!
Striped bass on the line - fly fishing magic at Portsmouth Marina!
Striped Bass on the line in Portsmouth's partly cloudy waters!
Huge 835-inch Striped Bass reeled in at Portsmouth Marina!
Landed a feisty striped bass while casting light tackle at the marina!
Striped bass caught at the picturesque Portsmouth Marina on a partly cloudy day.
Casting lures and bait under the partly cloudy skies at the Portsmouth Marina.
A huge striped bass reeled in with fancy fly fishing moves!
Reel in the Big One: Portsmouth Striper Charter
Get ready to chase some serious fish on the Piscataqua River and beyond with Captain Sean Tracey. This isn't your average day on the water - we're talking about world-class striped bass fishing right here in Portsmouth. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Sean's got the know-how to put you on the fish. We'll hit the river, flats, and inshore hotspots, using live mackerel, lures, and swim baits to tempt those trophy stripers. It's 4 to 6 hours of non-stop action, so grab your hat and let's go fishing!
What to Expect on the Water
You're in for a treat with this top-rated Portsmouth charter. We'll meet up at the dock (don't forget to park in the grass lot across the street) and get you settled on board. Captain Sean's boat is rigged and ready for serious striper fishing. As we cruise out, keep your eyes peeled for birds working the water - that's often a dead giveaway for where the fish are feeding. We'll start by catching some live mackerel for bait, then it's game on. Sean knows these waters like the back of his hand, so we'll hit all the local honey holes where big bass like to hang out. Expect to try different techniques throughout the day, from drifting live bait to working lures along structure. The beauty of this trip is its flexibility - we'll adapt to what the fish are doing and make sure you have the best shot at hooking up.
Techniques That Land Lunkers
On this charter, we're pulling out all the stops to get you on fish. Live-lining mackerel is a local favorite - there's nothing quite like watching a big striper crush a live bait on the surface. We'll also sling some swim baits and work jigs deep, depending on where the fish are holding. Captain Sean's a master at reading the water and adjusting tactics on the fly. You might find yourself casting into rips where the current creates perfect ambush points for stripers, or working the edges of shallow flats where bass push bait up against the shore. Don't be surprised if we switch it up mid-trip - that's the name of the game when you're chasing these wily fish. And hey, even if the bite's slow, you're still spending a day on the beautiful New Hampshire coast. Can't beat that!
Hunter Highlights
"Even though we never caught a fish, it was a good trip. It was just bad luck water temps were so low and extremely heavy fog that never burned off till noon. Yet it was still good to be on the Water. Sean did great job getting us to fishing locations safely. During the trip we were able to talk with other fisherman who were not having any luck either." - Dennis
Species You'll Want to Hook
Striped Bass: The star of the show, stripers are the undisputed kings of Northeast inshore fishing. These powerful, line-stripping fish can grow to over 50 pounds in these waters. They're known for their hard fights and cunning nature - hooking one is only half the battle. Stripers typically show up in Portsmouth waters in late spring and stick around through fall, with peak fishing often in June and July. What makes them so exciting? It's the versatility. One day you might be sight-casting to cruising fish in skinny water, the next you could be battling a cow striper in deep, churning rips. Their aggressive strikes and powerful runs will have you coming back for more.
Atlantic Mackerel: While they're often thought of as bait, don't underestimate these speedy little fighters. Mackerel fishing can be a blast, especially when they're schooled up and hitting anything that moves. We typically target them at the beginning of the trip to use as live bait, but if you've never caught them before, you're in for a treat. They hit hard for their size and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. Plus, they're delicious if you want to take a few home for the grill. Mackerel usually show up in good numbers by early summer and stick around into fall. Catching them is a great way to warm up your arms before the big bass start biting!
Time to Book Your Spot
Listen, if you're itching to tangle with some hard-fighting New England gamefish, this Portsmouth charter is calling your name. Captain Sean Tracey knows these waters inside and out, and he's got the skills to put you on fish even when conditions get tough. Whether you're dreaming of that trophy striper or just want to bend a rod and enjoy a day on the water, this trip delivers. With only room for two anglers, you're guaranteed plenty of personalized attention and fishing time. So what are you waiting for? The stripers are out there, and the boat's ready to go. Book your spot now and get ready for some of the best fishing Portsmouth has to offer. Trust me, once you feel that first big bass on the line, you'll be hooked for life!
Customer Review
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Dennis Perkins
June 8, 2025
Learn more about the animals
Atlantic Mackerel
Striped bass, or stripers, are the prized catch around here. These powerful fish can grow over 40 pounds, though most are in the 20-30 pound range. You'll find them cruising near structure like rocky shorelines, jetties, and drop-offs. They feed actively at dawn and dusk, so those are prime times to target them. Stripers put up an amazing fight - be ready for some screaming runs. We catch them year-round, but spring and fall migrations are especially good. Live mackerel or eels are top baits, but plugs and jigs work well too. Here's a local tip: on incoming tides, try drifting live bait along current edges where bait gets pushed. Stripers set up to ambush there. The meat is excellent eating, but most folks do catch and release to help the population. Nothing beats the thrill of landing a big striper in the waters off Portsmouth.
Striped Bass
Atlantic mackerel are quick, schooling fish that usually run about a foot long. You'll find them in our coastal waters, especially during summer when they come in close. They're a blast to catch - fast swimmers that put up a good fight on light tackle. We often use them as live bait for stripers, but they're also great eating fish, packed with healthy omega-3s. To catch 'em, I like using small, shiny lures that mimic baitfish. Cast into the school and retrieve quickly. Watch for birds diving - that's often a sign mackerel are feeding near the surface. Just be ready for some competition from other anglers and bigger predators once you find a school. These fish move around a lot, so having a few spots in mind helps. Early morning or evening trips tend to be most productive when they're actively feeding.
About the TACO
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 40
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 150
Even though we never caught a fish, it was a good trip. It was just bad luck water temps were so low and extremely heavy fog that never burned off till noon. Yet it was still good to be on the Water. Sean did great job getting us to fishing locations safely. During the trip we were able to talk with other fisherman who were not having any luck either.