Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of MaineRich, Walter H. (Walter Herbert)
History
Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of Maine
Rich, Walter H. (Walter Herbert)
Fisheries -- Maine, Gulf of
On and about all these shoals the sail fleet makes good catches, mainly
consisting of cod but with a fair proportion of pollock, also, and in
the deeper water close to them, in spring and summer, a considerable
amount of haddock. An occasional large halibut is taken, and even good
catches have been reported. There were noted in the daily report of the
Boston Fish Bureau between May 15 and August 15, 1920, 10 trips made by
the smaller vessels of the halibut fleet that landed fares of from 2,000
to 10,000 pounds of this species from this area. Perhaps more would be
taken if the halibut fishery were to be followed here as in other areas.
"Rip fishing," as conducted here, is done "at a drift," moving over the
shoals and, as they move off from them, sailing back to repeat the
process. The fish are taken by hand-lining with "cockle" bait or by
"jigging" the fish with a shiny piece of metal representing a herring or
similar fish, below which are set twin hooks, the fish being struck when
it is felt investigating the lure. This fishery generally is carried on
during May, June, July, and August. In the mackerel and herring seasons
these grounds usually furnish good fishing for these species, the fish
usually striking here from May 15 to July 15.
Pollock Rip Grounds. These lie between Pollock Rip Lightship and
Shovelful Lightship and extend northward to Pollock Rip Shoal. These
grounds are 3 miles long, E. and W., by 2 miles N. and S. The depths
range from 4 to 12 fathoms. These are fished from Monomoy and in stormy
weather from Chatham instead of going to the Crab Ledge. Late in the
spring and early in the fall the cod move inshore. In winter the cod
leave Pollock Rip for the deeper water.
Rose and Crown Shoal. This is a small piece of ground 7 miles ESE.
from Sankaty Head. The fishing area lies between the Round Shoal and
Rose and Crown buoys, making a stretch perhaps 6 miles long by 1 1/2
miles wide. Sometimes good fishing may be had from 6 to 12 mile, from
Great Round Shoal buoy. As elsewhere on and about these shoals, the cod
is the principal species caught, pollock being next in importance, and a
few haddock.
Nantucket Shoals, Madisons Spot. SSE. 13 miles front Round Shoal buoy,
has 9 fathoms over a smooth hard bottom of sand. It is about 3 miles
long, from SE. to NW. by 1 1/2 miles wide. This is a flounder ground for
the greater part of the year and a good cod ground in October and
November. As is the rule elsewhere in this neighborhood, tides are heavy
over this ground.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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