8/6/04 Ipswich Fishing Report from Fred Jennings

In the Ipswich area, the striper fishing this summer (at least since June) has been slow and a challenge, but there are some fish around.

The beachfronts (perhaps due to colder water) have been better than Plum Island Sound or other estuary waters, but the fishing is very spotty wherever you go.

In the estuaries, use smaller flies (1-inch sand shrimp imitations are especially worth a try), though larger stripers feeding on herring have been reported out off the bars at Crane Beach as well.

I've heard some rumors of fall migration-type blitzes on some of the Cape Ann beaches, but you probably need to be pretty persistent and lucky to stumble onto one.

Cooler weather should bring some fish into the rivers and estuaries, and there appears to be plenty of bait around. By early September things should improve some!

Tight lines...

-- Fred Jennings