Jigs
Spro Bucktail Jigs
Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.
Check Price
Islands and river mouths around Portland with summer stripers.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Casco Bay for striped bass and bluefish. The best months overall are Apr to Nov. In October, striped bass and bluefish are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is The Tackle Shop in Falmouth, 7 mi away. Great Bay is 58 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Apr to Nov
In October
Striped Bass, Bluefish
Methods
Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
What You'll Catch
Casco Bay Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
7 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Lefty's Deceiver #3/0-2
FlyStreamer · Bluefish, Striped Bass
Shop This FlyClouser Minnow #1/0-8
FlyStreamer · Striped Bass
Shop This FlyWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Bluefish, Striped Bass
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Striped Bass
Shop This LureBucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz
LureJig · Striped Bass
Shop This LureMetal Jig 1/2 to 3 oz
LureJig · Bluefish
Shop This LureCut Mullet Chunk or strip
BaitNatural Bait · Bluefish
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Striped Bass
Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.
Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.
Bluefish
Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.
Spin / Cast 7 to 9 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 20 lb braid with a wire leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Casco Bay
Metal Jigs
Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig
A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.
Check PriceReels
Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.
Check PriceFly Rods
Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod
Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.
Check PriceRods
Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod
A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.
Check PriceLine
PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
Check PriceTopwater
Heddon Zara Spook
The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.
Check PriceSpoons
Acme Kastmaster Spoon
A dense spoon that casts a mile and flutters on the fall.
Check PriceSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Casco Bay
Bait & Tackle
Hidden Mountain Bait and Tackle
Phippsburg, Maine· 14 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Phippsburg, ME.
Bait & Tackle
Vacationland Bait & Tackle
Old Orchard Beach, Maine· 19 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Old Orchard Beach, ME.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Saltwater & Coast · New Hampshire · 58 mi
Great Bay
A tidal estuary behind Portsmouth with spring and summer stripers.
Striped Bass
Lakes & Reservoirs · New Hampshire · 62 mi
Lake Winnipesaukee
New Hampshire's largest lake with rocky smallmouth structure and deep lake trout.
Smallmouth Bass · Lake Trout
Rivers & Streams · Maine · 75 mi
Kennebec River
Trout water below the dams upstream and a striped bass run in the tidal lower river.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Striped Bass