Isles of Shoals
Fly fishing in New Hampshire · Advanced · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Striped Bass, Bluefin Tuna, Bluefish
About This Water
Offshore islands with striped bass and tuna. Boat access required.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Isles of Shoals, one of the most rugged and rewarding fly fishing destinations in the Northeast. Located roughly six miles off the coast of Portsmouth, NH, this archipelago of nine islands is split between New Hampshire and Maine.
For the fly angler, the "Shoals" offer a unique offshore experience. Unlike the sandy flats of Cape Cod or the salt marshes of the NH coast, this is high-energy, white-water fishing among granite ledges and deep-water drop-offs. It is a place where pelagic power meets coastal structure.
🎣 Location Overview
The Isles of Shoals are an oceanic outpost. Because they sit so far offshore, the water is significantly clearer and cooler than the mainland coast, often staying in the "strike zone" temperature for Striped Bass even during the heat of August.
What makes this area special is the dynamic hydrology. The islands sit in the path of powerful Gulf of Maine currents. When the tide moves against the rugged underwater topography, it creates massive "rips," eddies, and "wash zones" (white water crashing against rocks). This turbulent water oxygenates the sea and disorients baitfish, creating a buffet for predators. It is not "serene" fishing; it is tactical, high-stakes, and requires a seaworthy vessel.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Striped Bass (Stripers)
- Behavior: At the Shoals, Stripers behave more like rockfish. They hold in the "wash"—the bubbly, white water right against the cliff faces of islands like Star and Appledore.
- Feeding: They focus on Atlantic Silversides, juvenile Pollack, and Mackerel. Large "cow" bass often lurk in the deeper kelp forests (20–40 feet down) surrounding the islands.
Bluefish
- Behavior: Often found in the deeper, faster-moving rips between the islands (especially Gosport Harbor and the channel between Lunging and Star).
- Feeding: They are aggressive, visual hunters. Look for "blitzes" where the water appears to be boiling—this is Bluefish pushing bait to the surface.
Bluefin Tuna
- Behavior: These are the "ghosts" of the Shoals. While often found further out at Jeffrey’s Ledge, they frequently move into the deep channels just a mile or two off the islands to feed on herring and mackerel schools.
- Feeding: They are built for speed. On a fly rod, you are looking for "feeds" where tuna are busting the surface.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Summer (July – August): This is prime time. When mainland water gets too warm and bass become lethargic, the Shoals remain cool and productive.
- Fall (September – early October): The "Fall Run." This is when the largest fish begin their migration south. Bluefish activity peaks, and the chance for a "Grand Slam" (Bass, Blue, Tuna) is highest.
- Time of Day: Low light is king. Dawn and dusk are the most productive windows. However, because of the depth and current, the tide is more important than the sun.
- Prime Window: The middle two hours of an incoming or outgoing tide. "Slack water" at the Shoals is often very quiet.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Gurglers & Poppers: For the "wash." White/Chartreuse or All-White. The sound of a surface popper in the foam is irresistible to bass.
- Bob’s Banger: Large foam-head poppers for Bluefish (they can't destroy these as easily as bucktail).
- Hollow Fleyes & Deceivers: 6–10 inches long in Mackerel or Pollack patterns (Blue/White or Green/White).
- Mushmouths & Epoxy Minnows: For when they are keyed in on tiny Silversides.
- The "Game Changer": Large articulated flies for Tuna or trophy Bass.
Techniques
- The Wash Cast: Use an intermediate or sink-tip line. Cast your fly literally inches from the granite rocks where the waves are breaking. Strip fast. The fish are hiding in the bubbles to ambush disoriented bait.
- Dredging the Ledges: Use a 350-500 grain sinking line to get flies down 20-30 feet along the underwater cliffs. This is where the 40-inch+ Stripers live.
- Tuna Chasing: 12wt to 15wt rods only. You need a large arbor reel with at least 300 yards of backing. Look for "half-moons" on the surface or birds diving.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Washing Machine": The area between White Island and Star Island can get incredibly choppy. Experienced guides look for "seams"—where the fast current meets a patch of still water behind a rock.
- Watch the Birds: At the Shoals, Common Terns and Gannets are your best scouts. If you see Gannets diving from high up, there are likely Bluefin Tuna or large Bluefish underneath.
- The Seal Problem: There is a large Grey Seal colony on Duck Island (the northernmost island). They are smart and will steal your hooked fish. If you see seals nearby, move to a different island to avoid losing your gear and harming the wildlife.
- Stealth Matters: Even in rough water, keep your engine noise consistent. Avoid "banging" the hull.
⚠️ Important Information
Access
- Launch: Most anglers launch from Portsmouth, NH (Wentworth Marina or Pierce Island) or Kittery, ME. It is a 6-to-9-mile run depending on the launch.
- The Boat: Do not attempt this in a small skiff. The Gulf of Maine can go from flat calm to 5-foot seas in 30 minutes. A 20ft+ center console with a reliable GPS/Chartplotter is the minimum recommendation.
Regulations & Permits
- Reciprocity: NH and ME have a reciprocal agreement for saltwater licenses. If you have a valid NH Saltwater Recreational Registry, you are generally covered for the Maine side of the islands, and vice versa.
- Striper Rules: Striped Bass are highly regulated (Slot limits apply). Always check the current NH Fish & Game or Maine DMR size requirements before keeping a fish.
- Tuna Permits: If you intend to target Bluefin Tuna, your vessel must have an HMS (Highly Migratory Species) permit from NOAA.
Safety
- Fog: The Shoals are notorious for sudden, thick "pea-soup" fog. Ensure your radar or GPS is functioning perfectly.
- Rocks: Many ledges (like "Square Rock" or "The Shag") sit just inches below the surface at high tide. Study your charts before entering the wash zones.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Black Ants Lasius niger | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #16-22 | Black Foam Ant #18-20, Flying Ant #16-18 |
| Salt Marsh Mosquito Aedes sollicitans | midge | June, July, August | Dawn/Dusk | #20-24 | Griffith's Gnat #20-24, Zebra Midge #20-22 |
| Greenhead Fly Tabanus nigrovittatus | terrestrial | July | Full Sun | #10-14 | Deer Hair Fly #12, Chernobyl Ant #10-12 |
| Kelp Fly Coelopa frigida | terrestrial | June, July, September | All Day | #14-18 | Black Gnat #16-18, Dark Wet Fly #14-16 |
| Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica | terrestrial | July, August | Afternoon | #12-14 | Foam Beetle #12-14, Coffee's Sparkle Beetle #14 |
| Maritime Midge Telmatogeton japonicus | midge | May, June, July | Evening | #20-26 | Micro-Midge #24-26, Black Emerger #22-24 |
| Common Grasshopper Melanoplus spp. | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #8-12 | Joe's Hopper #10-12, Dave's Hopper #8-10 |
| Blow Fly Calliphoridae | terrestrial | July, August | Daytime | #14-16 | Blue Bottle Foam Fly #14-16, Black Humumpy #14 |